Simple suit that meant business

Catherine Walker, 1997

THIS blush pink day suit worn to a children's bravery awards at the Savoy Hotel in 1997 is a beautiful example of how Diana had pared down her styled post-divorce. Its hip- skimming jacket, flattering three- quarter- length bracelet sleeves, and short pencil skirt show off her toned trim figure, while the discreet pearl earrings, nude heels (subsequently adopted by the Duchess of Cambridge) and bag have been chosen so as not to distract from the simple beauty of the suit.

For Diana this was a very delibered choice: she wanted outfits that would focus attention on her work, not her wardrobe.

She still stuck to some of the rules of royal dressing — wearing pretty colours that would appeal to children and dressing in fabrics that would not crease or crumple — but towards the end of her life Diana liked to be able to grab something off the rail run her fingers through her hair and go. It was her way of demonstrating her new-found independence.

As the Princess herself said: ‘I think I’m going to cut a very different path from everyone else.

‘I’m going to break away from this set-up. I always felt so different — I felt I was in the wrong shell. I've learned to be assertive.’

Mail style editor Dinah van Tulleken says: ‘Her choices were never dull and this suit has some lovely touches such as the turned-up cuffs and mother-of-pearl button details.’

‘The skirt stops above the knee. She knew how to make the most of her best assets and the combination of high hemline and nude heels gives the impression of endless legs.’