Princess Diana's Iconic Ice-Blue Gown Returns to Cannes in Stunning Red Carpet Tribute
39 years ago Princess Diana appeared at the 40th Cannes Film Festival in one of her most iconic looks: a romantic ice-blue gown featuring a softly sculpted bodice and matching scarf.
It's a look that returned to the Cannes red carpet earlier this week, when Anastasia Andrushkevich paid tribute to the late Princess of Wales by stepping out in a romantic recreation of the royal's 1987 Catherine Walker dress.
Related:Is Prince William Invited to Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce's Wedding This Summer?
View this post on Instagram
A post shared by HELLO! Magazine (@hellomag)
French-Russian actress Andrushkevich attended the premiere of Fjord wearing a strapless blue gown by Mehmet Ozden mirroring the princessy silhouette and chiffon scarf that characterized Diana's original ensemble.
Diana's dress was originally inspired by a costume that Grace Kelly wore in Alfred Hitchock's 1955 movie To Catch a Thief. The movie was set on the French Riviera, where Cannes is held every year.
Related: Why Princess Diana Refused to Appear on the Cover of John F. Kennedy Jr.'s Magazine
Diana and Catherine Walker worked to recreate the ethereal icy drapes of the dress in order to pay homage to the Princess of Monaco, who had died in a car crash five years before.
When she heard the news Diana asked Queen Elizabeth II for permission to attend Kelly's funeral, which was granted.
Diana said that at the time her reasoning for wanting to go to the funeral was "because [Kelly] was an outsider who married into a big family, and I've done the same, so it would feel right."
After her divorce from Princes Charles, Diana put her Kelly-inspired gown up for auction with the proceeds going to charity. It was sold again at auction in 2013 for $132,000.
It was one of the dresses featured in an exhibition of Diana's fashion at her former home of Kensington Palace to mark the 20th anniversary of her death.
Next,Meghan Markle Shares Touching Videos of 8th Anniversary Celebration With Prince Harry, Kids
Copyright 2026 The Arena Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved
This story was originally published May 23, 2026 at 5:36 AM.