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The husband and wife team David and Elizabeth Emanuel, who made Diana’s wedding dress, submitted sketches for four different demure, long sleeved outfits.
These were a navy and white stripe coat over a white dress, a black and white silk satin evening dress, a purple evening dress and a white silk evening dress.
The fifth, “reserve” outfit, which was also sketched, was a burka that would have covered Diana from head to toe with only a gap for her eyes.
It is not believed that Diana wore a burka during the trip, but the fact she was willing to consider it shows her sensitivity to other cultures.
The sketches, and fabric samples for the outfits, have now emerged for sale with US auction house RR Auctions.
The collection is tipped to sell for £24,000. ($30,000) A letter, dated June 2, 1986, sent to the Emmanuels by Diana’s lady-in-waiting, Anne Beckwith-Smith, outlined the strict requirements for her garments during the tour.
She wrote: “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.”
An invoice for the dresses also features in the sale revealing they cost between £275 and £450 each.
The collection has been consigned for sale by a private collector and it is believed that this is the first time it has emerged on the market.
Bobby Livingston, executive vice president of RR Auctions, 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.”
Diana and Charles made a whistle stop six day tour of Oman, Qatar, Bahrain and Saudi Arabia in November 1986.
In Saudi Arabia, she was invited to King Fahd’s palace – a rare honour for a woman – although she was not allowed to dine with the men.
The Emanuels designed more than 100 outfits for Diana for special occasions and for when she travelled abroad.
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