New Princess Diana Exhibit Will Reunite Her John Travolta Dress with Nancy Reagan’s Gown from White House Dinner
New Princess Diana Exhibit Will Reunite Her John Travolta Dress with Nancy Reagan’s Gown from White House Dinner
Simon PerryTue, August 25, 2026 at 12:00 PM UTC
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John Travolta and Princess Diana dance at the White House in 1985Credit: Circa Images/GHI/Universal History Archive/Universal Images Group via Getty -
A new exhibition on Princess Diana in Washington, D.C., will bring together 700 artifacts related to the late Princess of Wales
The exhibit will bring together Diana’s dress from her famous dance with John Travolta and the gown that Nancy Reagan wore for the state dinner at the White House
Renae Plant of the Princess Diana Museum tells PEOPLE, “This shows a trajectory of her life from her birth to when she sadly passed away. One by one, I have put this together”
The story of Princess Diana, told through more than 700 artifacts, is coming to the nation’s capital in the fall, PEOPLE reveals.
Held at the Ronald Reagan Library in Washington, D.C., from November 7 to May 2027, a new exhibition called Princess Diana: Love Life Legacy — A Life of Giving showcases everything from dresses to handwritten letters and childhood treasures.
It was brought together through a unique partnership between Renae Plant’s Princess Diana Museum and the Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation and Institute (RRPFI). Until now, Plant’s extensive collection has only been available to see online.
A centerpiece of the show is the iconic Victor Edelstein-designed dress that Princess Diana wore when she danced with John Travolta at the White House in 1985.
Also in the show is Diana’s “caring dress” that Plant bought at auction for $520,000 in 2025. It is a poignant piece, as the royal was wearing it when Plant first encountered her during a trip Diana made to Australia.
Princess Diana wears the “caring dress”Credit: Tim Graham Photo Library via Getty
Plant has been accumulating her famous collection and making it accessible via her virtual museum.
“It’s been my dream for it to be seen in public so people can see her life and legacy up close,” she tells PEOPLE. “It’s so incredible to get these pieces back together and to see it come to life after all these years for the public.”
She hopes to take her part of the exhibit around the world after the D.C. stay ends.
A key part is the Travolta dress, worn during a dance at the 1985 state dinner at the White House. That is on loan from Historic Royal Palaces — the charity that acquires and cares for important royal artifacts and exhibits some of them at the palaces and castles — which acquired the gown in 2019.
It will be reunited with the beaded white dress gown that Nancy Reagan wore on the occasion. Plant says, “Seeing the two dresses together, like those two iconic women on the stairs of the White House, will be very exciting.”
Prince Charles, President Ronald Reagan, Nancy Reagan and Princess Diana in 1985Credit: Anwar Hussein/Getty
They are also showing the sheet music for “Staying Alive,” a hit song from Travolta’s hit movie Saturday Night Fever, that the Marine Band had to learn to play for that evening.
Melissa Giller, Chief Marketing and Cultural Programming Officer of the RRPFI, explains how the historic moment came together: “During the state dinner, as was customary, President Reagan had a dance with Princess Diana. [A Reagan staffer] had John Travolta tap the president on the shoulder and ask to cut in. As soon as John Travolta and the Princess joined together in dance, the Marine Band struck up ‘Staying Alive,’ creating this iconic moment in history.”
“It is a full circle moment to bring this dress to the Reagan Library and place it next to the dress Mrs. Reagan wore, alongside the state dinner invitation and menu card,” she adds. “We have the deepest gratitude to Historical Royal Palaces for trusting us with this loan.”
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Speaking of the visit with the Reagans, Giller tells PEOPLE, “Mrs. Reagan attended the wedding of Diana to the then-Prince Charles in 1981, as the president was recovering from the assassination attempt on him. By adding in items from President and Mrs. Reagan’s archival collection at the Reagan Library with Princess Diana’s artifacts, we’ve created a one-of-a-kind pairing telling the story of the Princess of Wales and the enduring transatlantic bond between the U.S. and the U.K.”
“It brings together iconic dresses and personal treasures from Princess Diana and Nancy Reagan, showcasing the deep bond between Princess Diana and the Reagans and highlighting how each used their global platform to champion humanitarian work, shape fashion history, inspire millions and leave a lasting influence on modern culture,” she adds.
There are 64 clothing pieces, including about eight baby dresses and baby shoes, which she says have never been seen before, as well as jewelry and accessories.
“This shows a trajectory of her life from her birth to when she sadly passed away. One by one, I have put this together. I felt she was being scattered all across the world and nothing was being done to honor her. It was that gift of giving,” Plant adds. “She gave it all away through the course of her life. This is us telling her story through the pieces she gifted people.”
Visitors will also be able to see some of Diana’s old record collection, including a copy of Elton John’s Goodbye Yellow Brick Road, which she had decorated with three love hearts right next to a picture of Elton. The pop star later became a friend of the Princess and sang a remake of “Candle in the Wind” from that album at her funeral 29 years ago. “How do you make that up?” Plant asks PEOPLE. “I get goosies talking about it.”
In the exhibit are some items that Plant, along with Diana’s wedding dress designer Elizabeth Emanuel, have re-created. That includes the remake of Diana’s so-called spare wedding dress, which was finished in 2024.
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Among the items included in the landmark exhibition are some of Diana’s ski pants and Laura Ashley dresses with hand-sewn labels (showing Diana’s ownership) from before she was famous.
“It is the Sloane Ranger years — it has never been seen before. Everyone’s seen the Christie-sold dresses, but this is some of the most intimate stuff,” Plant tells PEOPLE.
It is the culmination of a 10-year plan to bring the show to the Reagan Library and celebrate the story of Diana’s intersection with America, Melissa Giller adds. “To have finally accomplished it — and with the exquisite collection owned by Renae — is something we’re proud of.”
Giller tells PEOPLE, “Bringing special exhibitions to the Reagan Library that will educate, entertain and delight our local community is very important to us – and we know that Princess Diana: Love Life Legacy — A Life of Givingwill do just that.”
She adds, “By bringing these stories together, the exhibition explores why Diana remains such an enduring cultural figure—and why her story continues to resonate with audiences decades after her death.”
on People
Source: “AOL Entertainment”
