Princess Diana’s 1987 Cannes appearance was supposed to be just another royal engagement. She and Prince Charles were there to support British cinema, but as always, all eyes were on Diana—and her breathtaking pale blue gown.
What no one realized at the time was that the dress wasn’t just beautiful. It was a message.
Designed by Catherine Walker, the chiffon creation seemed to float around Diana as she moved. Its soft blue hue, its delicate drape—they were unmistakably reminiscent of Grace Kelly’s iconic look in To Catch a Thief. The parallels were too precise to be accidental. Grace, the Hollywood star who became Princess of Monaco, had died five years earlier, and Diana’s gown was a quiet nod to her memory.
The two women had shared a brief but meaningful connection. Early in Diana’s royal life, Grace had offered her comfort during a moment of overwhelming pressure. That kindness had stayed with Diana, and years later, she returned it in the only way she could—through fashion.
She didn’t announce the tribute. She simply let the dress speak for her.
Diana wore the gown again, and in 1997, she auctioned it for charity, where it raised thousands for causes she championed. Today, it’s more than a piece of fashion history—it’s a symbol of Diana’s quiet thoughtfulness, her ability to communicate without words.
That night in Cannes, the cameras captured a princess in blue. What they missed was the deeper story—a silent tribute from one princess to another.
