Princess Diana Exhibit Opens at Reagan Library

A new exhibit dedicated to the life of Diana, Princess of Wales, is set to open at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library in Simi Valley on Nov. 7.

The show, titled "Diana: Love Life Legacy" with the subtitle "A Life of Giving," marks its first public appearance at this location. No other venues have been confirmed for the traveling display. The collection features more than 750 pieces that trace her history from childhood to her final days.

Renae Plant, a resident of Southern California, curated the exhibition using her personal collection. She maintains a virtual museum online that showcases these artifacts. According to Melissa Giller, the library's chief marketing and cultural programming officer, only 10 of the items had ever been displayed publicly before this event. This makes the upcoming opening a world premiere for the majority of the pieces.

The items range from glamorous evening wear to jewelry and childhood mementos. They include letters and personal effects that offer a glimpse into her private life. The exhibition aims to present her story through these tangible objects rather than just photographs.

Giller noted that the museum has long sought to present a show on the princess. She described Diana as a humanitarian who gave her time and resources generously. "She lived a short life but a very remarkable one," Giller said. "She gave so much. She donated the time. She donated the clothes off her back. She was a true humanitarian."

Diana was born on July 1, 1961, and died in a car accident in Paris on Aug. 31, 1997. She was 36 years old. Her public profile grew through her 1981 marriage to Prince Charles, their 1996 divorce, and her work with AIDS patients and landmine victims. The exhibit connects her story to the Reagans through their shared history.

Nancy Reagan attended Diana's wedding to Prince Charles on July 29, 1981, while President Ronald Reagan stayed home to recover from an assassination attempt. The two women maintained a friendship and exchanged letters for decades. This relationship is reflected in the items on display.

One of the key pieces is a spare version of the famous wedding gown. Made of silk taffeta and antique lace, it had a 25-foot train and was created as a backup in case of last-minute issues. Visitors will also see a duplicate of the black sheep sweater Diana wore in 1981. After she snagged a cuff, Buckingham Palace requested a repair, and the maker sent a new garment with one sheep facing a different direction.

The last dress Diana was fitted for before her death will also be shown with its pins still in place. Another major piece is the midnight blue "Travolta dress" she wore to a 1985 White House state dinner. Giller recounted that Nancy Reagan encouraged actor John Travolta to join the dance. He tapped President Reagan on the shoulder, and the Marine Band played a medley from "Saturday Night Fever." The resulting photo is one of the most requested in the library's archives. The gown will be displayed next to the dress Nancy Reagan wore that night.

The exhibition will occupy 10,000 square feet across two levels, the same space used by the recently closed "America: 250 Years in the Making" show. Giller expects it to be one of the largest in the library's history. The show runs through May 31, with tickets included in the standard museum admission. Prices are $16 for adults, $13 for seniors 62 and older, and $9 for youths ages 11 to 17. The library is located at 40 Presidential Way in Simi Valley.