Princess Diana’s Iconic Black Sheep Sweater Auctioned for Record $1.1 Million

Princess Diana’s renowned black sheep wool sweater achieved a remarkable $1.1 million at auction on Thursday, following a dramatic last-minute bidding frenzy for this iconic fashion piece.

Sotheby’s, the esteemed auction house, reported that this sale set a new record for an item previously worn by the late princess. In the closing 15 minutes of the two-week auction, the highest bid surged from $190,000 to its ultimate winning price of $1.1 million.

The late Lady Diana Spencer garnered significant attention four decades ago when she sported this distinctive garment, featuring a single black sheep amidst rows of white sheep, to one of Prince Charles’ polo matches in June 1981, shortly after their engagement.

Crafted by the brand Warm & Wonderful, this sweater marked one of the early creations by co-founders Sally Muir and Joanna Osborne, and it “quickly captured the world’s imagination, sparking a massive viral and cultural moment,” according to Sotheby’s.

Sotheby’s description of the knitwear elaborated on the symbolism of the sweater and its profound resonance with Princess Diana, igniting discussions across global media, fashion critics, and the general public.

Accompanying the sweater are two letters from Buckingham Palace addressed to Joanna Osborne. The first letter, dated July 16, 1981, came from Diana’s private secretary, Oliver Everett, who dispatched the sweater to Warm & Wonderful for potential repair or replacement after Osborne had agreed to inspect the garment.

The second letter conveyed gratitude for the repair work, stating, “I know Her Royal Highness will be very glad to have this sweater back and be most grateful to you for having re-done it.” This letter is dated September 28, 1981.

Earlier this year, Kim Kardashian secured the winning bid of $197,453 for Princess Diana’s pendant, the amethyst and diamond “Attallah Cross.”

Remarkably, Princess Diana’s black sheep sweater resurfaced when Joanna Osborne and Sally Muir, co-founders of Warm & Wonderful, were rummaging through their attic. They stumbled upon a small box that housed the original sheep sweater.

Reflecting on this discovery, Muir and Osborne issued a statement expressing their delight: “Since stumbling upon the sweater in March of this year, we have been reliving the fond memories of Princess Diana appearing on the front pages of every newspaper in 1981, wearing our very own sweater.”

They further added, “While we are forever indebted to her for the impact this had on our business, our deepest appreciation lies in the knowledge that she shared a unique connection to the black sheep design. We are thrilled that this cherished sweater has now found a new home, carrying with it the enduring legacy of Princess Diana.”