Princess Diana's dresses to be exhibited 2011-12-22 07:08:57 GMT Diana, Princess of Wales wears a fuschia Catherine Walker gown on a vi...

Princess Diana's dresses to be exhibited

2011-12-22 07:08:57 GMT

Diana, Princess of Wales wears a fuschia Catherine Walker gown on a visit to Thailand. (Photo: REX)

Diana, Princess of Wales' black taffeta gown will be exhibited in Kensington Palace from March 26. (Photo: REX)

A small but iconic selection of Diana, Princess of Wales' famous dress collection is set to go on display next March, as part of a £12million refurbishment of Kensington Palace.

The five dresses, three of which are being shown for the first time in the UK, include a Versace little black dress, a cream and white Bellville Sassoon cocktail dress, and two gowns (one cream and one fuschia) designed by one of Diana's favourite designers, Catherine Walker, who passed away last year.

The centrepiece of the exhibition is a black strapless taffeta gown worn by the Princess just 10 days after her engagement to the Prince of Wales in 1981, designed by the maker of Diana's infamously oversized bridal gown, David Emanuel. Worn to the Royal Opera House for the couple's first public engagement, the dress instantly turned Diana into a fashion icon.

Coincidentally, the Duchess of Cambridge wore a dress which was remarkably similar to the Emanuel gown earlier this week, when she attended a military awards ceremony, which was designed by her bridal gown creator, Sarah Burton for Alexander McQueen. Since the Royal wedding earlier this year, the two have forged a close sartorial relationship, much like Diana did with David Emanuel, with Kate wearing several outfits by the British designer.