8 Things to Know About Princess Diana’s Attallah Cross
Princess Diana wasn’t just one of the most beloved members of the British royal familyshe also earned a reputation as one of the most stylish women in the world. Today, the late princess has an enduring legacy as a style icon, and the famous Attallah Cross is one of her most memorable pieces. The sizable amethyst-and-diamond pendant was famously sold at auction early last year, and it hadn’t been seen in public for quite some time … until this past weekend.
On Saturday, Nov. 2, Kim Kardashian wore the one-of-a-kind necklace to the 2024 LACMA Art + Film Gala in Los Angelesand raised some eyebrows when she paired it with an incredibly revealing dress. Read on to learn more about Princess Diana’s iconic Attallah Cross, how it found its way into the hands of America’s reality-TV queen and what people are saying about its latest moment in the spotlight.
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The Attallah Cross was created in the 1920s
According to Sotheby’s London, which auctioned the pendant in 2023, the Atallah Cross was created in the 1920s by the London-based court jeweler Garrard. Not much is known about the exact origin of the piece, but it is said to have been a special commission, and its design was possibly based on a historical piece from the Renaissance era.
One thing we do know? It wasn’t originally called the Attallah Cross. It received that moniker in the 1980s after a businessman named Naim Attallah bought it. (More on that below.)
Princess Diana wore it for the first time in 1987
Said to be one of her favorite pieces, Princess Diana wore the now-famous Attallah Cross on Oct. 27, 1987, to a charity gala for Birthright, an advocacy group focused on human rights during pregnancy and childbirth. The event was held at the former Garrard location on Regent Streeta fitting spot, considering the pendant’s origins.
It is crafted from sizable gemstones
The oversize pendantwhich measures 5.4 inches by 3.7 inchesfeatures circular-cut diamonds and square amethysts set in gold and silver. It is made in the fleure style, “made distinct by flowery design details,” according to Sotheby’s. And those diamonds? They reportedly clock in at 5.25 carats.
When she debuted the necklace in 1987, Princess Diana wore it on her own long pearl necklace. This was considered a unique and innovative choice at the time, especially for an already-bold piece.
Princess Diana wore it with a Catherine Walker dress
While the Attallah Cross is a showstopper on its own, it was the combination of the necklace and the dress Princess Diana paired it with that make the look so memorable. The black-and-purple Elizabethan-style dress was designed by one of the Princess’s favorite designers, Catherine Walker. Much like Princess Diana’s revenge dress (which was designed by Christina Stambolian), the Catherine Walker dress is iconic … but in a completely different way.
“Princess Diana’s confidence grew during the 1980s as she became known for increasingly bold fashion choices, moving away from the more romantic and subdued style she had hitherto favoured,” said Sotheby’s in a release when the cross was up for auction. “The fact that she is known to have worn what is now known as the Attallah Cross on several times […] substantiates this evolution.”
It was loaned to Princess Diana
The Attallah Cross is most closely associated with Princess Diana, but she didn’t actually own it. It was loaned to her by Attallah, whom she counted as a friend, for the London charity gala as well as for a number of other occasions. Aside from being a businessman, Attallah was a publisher and the former managing director of U.K.-based jewelry designer Asprey.
Even though Attallah reportedly loaned the pendant to Princess Diana on multiple occasions, she was photographed wearing it just that one time at the Birthright gala in 1987. Attallah’s son, Ramsay, once said of the piece: “When I was growing up, wed always have it on the table for Christmas lunch, but it was never worn by anyone other than Diana, and it hasnt been seen in public since she died.”
Its colors may hold a deeper meaning
The bright purple amethysts used to make the cross are beautiful, but that’s not the only reason Princess Diana made a statement by wearing the pendant. Purple is a color closely associated with royalty (as well as the clergy), so the amethysts were likely a nod to the English monarchy.
It sold at auction for nearly double its asking price
Enter Kim Kardashian, who purchased the Attallah Cross from a Sotheby’s auction in January 2003 for a whopping $197,453. Sotheby’s had originally anticipated a price of $96,000 to $144,400 for the pendant.
Of course, Kardashian is no stranger to donning memorable items worn by other celebrities. She wore an iconic Marilyn Monroe’s dress to the 2022 Met Gala, as well as Janet Jackson’s “If” outfit, with its black suede crop top and lace-up pants, to one of Jackson’s concerts last summer.
Its recent appearance has sparked some backlash
When Kim Kardashian makes a bold statement, strong reactions often follow. In this case, internet users had a lot to say, with some calling it “vulgar” and “tone deaf” to pair this beloved piece with such a revealing dress. That said, the revealing dresslove it or hate italso came from a revered designer, Gucci. Aside from the custom-made cream dress and coat, Kardashian complemented the cross with a Bulgari pearl-and-diamond necklace and a Tallarico pearl choker. Those pearls also hearken back to Diana’s original look.
Interestingly, Kardashian and Princess Diana are the only two women to ever be photographed wearing the Attallah Cross. And they certainly both made a splash!
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Sources:
- CNN: “Kim Kardashian buys Attallah Cross pendant worn by Princess Diana”
- Vogue: “The Story of the Attallah Cross, Princess Dianas Most Unusual Accessory”
- Sotheby’s: Instagram post
- Harper’s Bazaar: “Kim Kardashian Wore Princess Dianas Iconic Cross Necklace at The 2024 LACMA Gala”
- Who What Wear: “Kim Kardashian Just Wore Princess Diana’s NecklaceHere’s the Full Backstory on the Royal Jewel”
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