The final portrait

Last updated at 16:36 15 November 2005


The last official portrait of Princess Diana, these endearing images are to finally go on show to the public.

Taken by Mario Testino, some were published shortly before her death, but half have never been on display. See Diana's final photo shoot here.

The photographs, showing Diana in resplendent form, are to go on show at Kensington Palace with a selection of her evening gowns.

Nine gowns created by some of the Princess's favourite couturiers - including Catherine Walker, Bruce Oldfield, Hachi and Victor Edelstein - will go on view, four of which were worn for the Testino photo-shoot.

The photographer said the shoot in 1997, five months before the Princess's death, was for the magazine Vanity Fair.

'It was one of the most memorable days of my career,' he added.

For years there has been a display at Kensington Palace of Diana's dresses which have been a huge hit with tourists.

Michael Day, Chief Executive of Historic Royal Palaces, said it was felt the time had come to give the exhibition 'a new, exciting and more modern feel' and so they had turned to Testino.

The exhibition, described by officials as a 'light celebration of her life', opens on November 24.

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