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Incredible sketches for the garment have come to light, coinciding with the 21st anniversary of Diana’s death in Paris.
The sketches show four modest garments designed by husband and wife team, David and Elizabeth Emanuel.
The designers were asked to make dresses which “conformed to local customs” before Diana and Prince Charles embarked on the trip.
A fifth sketch shows a ‘reserve’ outfit, which was a burka.
All of the sketches, along with fabric samples from the outfits are now up for auction with an estimated value of £24,000.
It is not thought Diana wore the garment during her trip, but the fact she considered it shows how sensitive the People’s Princess was to different cultures.
A letter from Diana’s lady-in-waiting to the Emanuels, dated June 2, 1986, said: “Certain special requirements concerning dress need to be observed and I am writing to ask if it would be possible to submit to The Princess of Wales a few sketches for day and evening wear from which Her Royal Highness could select items for this tour.
“Their Royal highnesses will be visiting Oman, Qatar, Bahrain and Saudi Arabia. In all cases modesty is the order of the day.”
The trip was a six-day tour of Oman, Qatar, Bahrain and Saudi Arabia in November 1986.
In Saudi Arabia, she was invited to King Fahd’s palace, rare for a woman, although she was not allowed to dine with the men.
Bobby Livingston, executive vice president of the auction house, said: “Princess Diana tried to conform to local customs by wearing concealing clothes, but still exposed her neck and left her head uncovered.
“At evening banquets, she appeared in the long sleeved demure dresses made especially for the tour. She did not have to wear the ‘reserve outfit’ burka depicted in this archive.
“It’s a remarkable, comprehensive archive from the famously stylish royal.”
The Emanuels designed more than 100 outfits for Diana for special occasions and for when she travelled abroad.
Diana has been considered a style icon in death as much as she was in life.
Her spontaneous and rebellious nature was evident in her fashion choices, often considered too bold for the Royals.
She always tried to fit in to the countries she was visiting, often favouring bold prints and colours.
On home soil, she always looked elegant and chic.
One memorable outfit was the Christina Stambolian mini dress she wore in 1994, days after her separation from Prince Charles.
The jaw-dropping little black dress was playfully termed the ‘Revenge Dress’.
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