First look inside the US Princess Diana exhibit with a never-seen dress

A collection of more than 700 items belonging to Princess Diana has gone on display for the first time in the United States.

The exhibit is called "Diana: Love Life Legacy - A Life of Giving."

It opened this weekend at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library and Museum in Simi Valley, California.

The centerpiece is the Jacques Azagury "Final Goodbye" dress.

This is the last gown Diana tried on before her death on August 31, 1997, following a car crash in Paris.

The museum says this is the first time the "Final Goodbye" dress has ever been shown to the public.

Also on display is Diana's famous Warm & Wonderful black sheep sweater, designed by Sally Muir and Joanna Osborne.

Another highlight is a floral dress known as the "caring dress" because Diana wore it most often on hospital visits.

That "caring dress" sold for $500,000 at auction last year.

The exhibition includes keepsakes from Diana's childhood and her royal life.

Visitors can see the official program from her 1981 wedding to then-Prince Charles.

Her wedding slippers are there too.

Diana and Charles, now King Charles III, had two sons, Princes William and Harry.

The couple divorced in 1996, one year before Diana's death.

Because the exhibit is at the Reagan Museum, it also features items from the archives of former President Ronald Reagan and First Lady Nancy Reagan.

The Reagans hosted Diana and Charles on a state visit at the White House in 1985.

Diana's off-the-shoulder velvet gown from that White House state dinner is on display.

That is the night she famously danced with John Travolta.

The gown has been preserved and is now part of the Reagan Library's collection for this exhibition.

The "Diana: Love Life Legacy - A Life of Giving" exhibition runs through May 31, 2027.

In a separate but related development, both Prince Harry and Prince William recently wrote personal letters to the 2026 recipients of the Diana Award.

The Diana Award was established in 1999 by former UK Prime Minister Gordon Brown to recognize young people who work to improve the lives of others.

Harry wrote to the winners: "You should be immensely proud of what you have achieved and the difference you are making in your community and beyond."

He added: "This award is deeply personal to me, not only because it carries my mother's name, but because it champions her belief that young people have the power to change the world."

William wrote: "The world we live in today can feel challenging and uncertain, and creating change is not easy."

He continued: "Yet, in the face of these challenges, you have shown extraordinary resilience, courage, and a belief in the power of kindness to make things better."

William also said: "My mother, in whose memory you receive the Diana Award today, would be so proud of your achievements and the deep care you show for others."

The letters are notable because the brothers rarely issue joint statements or appear together anymore.

One of the last times they were seen together was in 2021 at the unveiling of a statue dedicated to Diana at Kensington Palace.

That ceremony was held on what would have been Diana's 60th birthday.

Despite the strain in their relationship, both princes continue to honor Diana Award recipients separately.

In 2023, Harry made an in-person visit to meet honorees at a Conversations for Change seminar in Los Angeles.

The exhibition at the Reagan Library offers a rare chance for American fans to see Diana's personal belongings up close.

Many items have never been displayed in the US before.

The "Final Goodbye" dress in particular has drawn intense interest from collectors and royal enthusiasts.

Museum officials have not disclosed the total value of the collection or the security measures in place.

But given the $500,000 auction price of just one dress, the assembled collection is likely worth millions.

The Reagan Library is located about 40 miles northwest of Los Angeles.

It sits on a 100-acre hilltop site with views of the surrounding mountains.

The exhibition is expected to draw visitors from across the country and around the world.

Tickets are available through the Reagan Library website.

Organizers recommend booking in advance, as timed entry slots are expected to sell out on weekends.

The exhibit combines Diana's personal story with her charitable work and her impact on fashion and culture.

It is designed to show her evolution from a shy young bride to a confident humanitarian.

The black sheep sweater, for example, became iconic because Diana wore it after her engagement was announced.

It was seen as a subtle nod to her feeling like an outsider in the royal family.

The "caring dress" represents her hands-on approach to charity work.

She chose soft, approachable clothing for hospital visits to put patients at ease.

The Travolta gown remains one of the most photographed dresses in royal history.

Diana wore it to a state dinner where she danced with the actor.

The photo of them dancing became one of the defining images of her 1985 US tour.

For American audiences, that moment is often remembered as a high point of US-UK relations during the Reagan era.

The exhibition runs through May 31, giving visitors nearly six months to plan a visit.

It is the first major Diana exhibition in the United States since the touring "Diana: A Celebration" exhibit a decade ago.

That earlier show focused on her life and charity work but did not include the "Final Goodbye" dress.

The Reagan Library has hosted major exhibitions before, including displays of Soviet artifacts and Churchill memorabilia.

But this is the first royal fashion exhibition of this scale at the museum.

The museum is open daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Special evening hours may be added during peak periods.

The exhibition is located in the museum's temporary gallery space, which has been redesigned for the display.

Lighting and climate controls have been specially calibrated to protect the delicate fabrics.

Some items are displayed behind glass; others are shown in open settings with barriers.

The "Final Goodbye" dress is in a dedicated case with controlled lighting to prevent fading.

Museum staff have been trained in handling the garments and monitoring environmental conditions.

The exhibition also includes interactive elements, such as video screens showing Diana's speeches and interviews.

Visitors can see footage of her 1985 White House visit and her work with landmine victims.

The goal is to present Diana not just as a fashion icon but as a person who used her platform for change.

Her sons' recent letters to Diana Award recipients reinforce that message.

Both Harry and William emphasized that their mother's legacy is about service, not style.

Harry wrote that the award "champions her belief that young people have the power to change the world."

William wrote that Diana "would be so proud of your achievements and the deep care you show for others."

The letters were sent to the 2026 class of Diana Award winners.

The award program has recognized more than 50,000 young people since its founding.

Recipients come from countries around the world and work on issues from mental health to environmental justice.