Скачать или смотреть UK: DIANA PRINCESS OF WALES IS SET TO AUCTION HER DESIGNER GOWNS

(29 Jan 1997) English/Nat

Britain's Princess Diana is set to auction some of her designer gowns - an unprecedented move that could raise more than a million pounds for charity.

There's also speculation she plans to put her wedding dress on public display at a London museum.

It's being seen as part of Diana's campaign to take on a more serious role, moving away from her image of fashion icon.

This is the prototype of the dress Diana wore when she married Prince Charles in 1981.

Designers used it as a model when they created the world's most famous wedding gown.

The replica has pride of place at London's Victoria and Albert Museum, where it's to feature in a special exhibition in March.

But curators could soon be displaying the real thing.

Reports say Diana has decided to present her wedding dress to the museum as a gift to the nation.

Royal officials say there have been no formal discussions on the issue, but museum staff say they'd be delighted if it happens:

SOUNDBITE: (English)
"It's quite a surprise and we've yet to negotiate and have talks. It would be great to show, especially as the cutting edge exhibition - 'British Fashion from 1947 to the Present Day' is about to come off, so it would be extraordinarily appropriate."
SUPERCAPTION: Valerie Mendes, head of textiles and dress, V & A Museum

Diana has long been a fashion statement par excellence, attracting attention for what she wears wherever she goes.

Now Royal officials have confirmed she wants to auction dozens of her gowns at Christie's later this year.

Elizabeth Emanuel, part of the husband-and-wife team that created Diana's wedding dress, has gone on to become a regular supplier of formal gowns to the Princess.

She says the prospect of an auction would electrify potential buyers around the world:

SOUNDBITE:
"What's the use of them hanging around in a wardrobe - I mean if they can be out there earning money for charity, then after all, fashion changes so much, so they're really of no use to her but if it brings in money for the charity that would be fantastic and it will be interesting to see the kind of people that will buy them and what they'll be using them for - whether it will be museums or private collectors, or people actually be wearing them and say 'I'm wearing Di's dress'."
SUPERCAPTION: Elizabeth Emanuel, royal dress designer

Some observers say Diana's move is just aimed at making space for some new formal gowns.

But others say the Princess is determined to shed her image as a high-class "clothes horse" so she can take on a more serious role.

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