Image: The Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation and Institute
Royal fashion fans, it's time to clear your calendars! A major new Princess Diana exhibition is making its U.S. debut at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library and Museum in Simi Valley, California, and it's bringing some seriously iconic fashion along for the ride.
Titled "Diana: Love Life Legacy — A Life of Giving," the 10,000-square-foot exhibition features more than 700 personal treasures, designer gowns, and never-before-seen memorabilia celebrating the life and legacy of the People's Princess. Opening November 7, 2026, the collection takes visitors through Diana's journey from childhood and her royal wedding to her humanitarian work and status as a global style icon.
And there's one particularly special piece making its public debut: the "Final Goodbye" dress.
The Never-Before-Seen 'Final Goodbye' Dress
Image: The Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation and Institute
One of the exhibition's most emotional highlights is a black silk georgette gown designed by Jacques Azagury. Known as the "Final Goodbye" dress, it's the last gown Diana reportedly tried on before traveling to Paris in August 1997.
The floor-length design features hand-embroidered bugle beads, a plunging neckline, delicate straps, a front slit, and a dramatic train. Even more heartbreaking? The original fitting pins are still attached to the straps, marking the final adjustments that were never completed.
Diana reportedly planned to wear the gown to a Disney film premiere in September 1997. Azagury had envisioned a full Hollywood moment for the look, telling Vogue, "We were going to make it really Hollywood, this dress."Nearly 30 years later, the gown will finally be seen by the public for the first time.
The Iconic Diana Fashion Moments You Can't Miss
Image: The Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation and Institute
Of course, the exhibition wouldn't be complete without some of Diana's most unforgettable fashion moments.
Among the showstoppers is her famous midnight-blue velvet "Travolta dress," the off-the-shoulder Victor Edelstein gown she wore to a 1985 White House state dinner. You know the one! It's the dress Diana wore while dancing with John Travolta during the evening hosted by President Ronald Reagan and First Lady Nancy Reagan. The original dinner invitation and menu will also be on display.
Images: The Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation and Institute
Also making an appearance is Diana's floral "Caring" dress, which she frequently wore while visiting hospitals and comforting sick children. The dress recently sold for an impressive $520,000 at a Julien's Auctions sale in June 2025, proving that interest in Diana's wardrobe remains as strong as ever.
And for fans who love a little fashion rebellion, Diana's famous red Warm & Wonderful "Black Sheep" sweater is also making an appearance. Designed by Sally Muir and Joanna Osborne, the playful knit features a flock of white sheep with one unmistakable black sheep standing out from the crowd. It's a look that remains just as memorable today.
A Peek Inside Diana's Personal Life
Images: The Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation and Institute
Beyond the fabulous fashion, the exhibition offers a more personal look at Diana's life. Visitors can explore childhood keepsakes, handwritten letters, her wedding slippers, and the official program from her 1981 wedding to then-Prince Charles. Together, these pieces offer a more personal perspective on Diana's journey, highlighting the moments that shaped her life and the compassion that made her beloved around the world.
The exhibition's setting also makes the White House connection particularly special. With the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library serving as its first stop in the United States, the collection brings together royal history, presidential archives, and some of the most unforgettable fashion moments of the 1980s.
Whether you're a longtime admirer of Diana's style, a royal history enthusiast, or simply someone who appreciates a truly unforgettable fashion moment, this is one Southern California exhibition worth adding to your calendar.
How to See the Princess Diana Exhibit
Images: The Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation and Institute
Ready to get a closer look at the People's Princess's incredible legacy? Here's what to know before planning your visit.
Exhibition: Diana: Love Life Legacy — A Life of Giving
Location: Ronald Reagan Presidential Library and Museum, Simi Valley, California
Opening Date: November 7, 2026
Closing Date: May 31, 2027
Admission: $29.95 for adults during the exhibition run
For more information and tickets, visit the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library's official website.
Keep scrolling for more photos from the exhibition!
