Diana’s gowns fetch record price

Ironically it surpassed the previous record of $ 145,000 paid for the costume Travolta wore in the hit film Saturday Night Fever.

Lord Hindlip, the chairman of auctioneers Christie’s, yesterday said the buyer of the dress was an anonymous American male collector who he said was “a great fan of the Princess”. The second highest price of the evening was $ 151,000 for a long strapless evening dress and cropped jacket that the princess wore on a state visit to Hong Kong and to film premieres.

Fashion commentators called it her Elvis dress because of its high collar on the white jacket. The outfit was bought by the Franklin Mint, which specialises in selling catalogue replica items.

Hindlip called the total a record for a charity auction and said an additional $ 2.5 million was raised from the sale of catalogues and gala dinners.

Proceeds from the sale of the 79 dresses will go to the Princess’s favourite charities, including breast cancer research and the fight against AIDS.

Lord Hindlip said he would call the Princess in London in the morning to tell her of the sale’s great success. “I asked her if she wanted to be woken up in the middle of the night, and she said no.”