| One of the Princess of Wales’ last official appearances was for one of her great loves, the ballet. In June of 1997, as patron of the English National Ballet she attended its gala production of Swan Lake, wearing a short and low cut beaded silk georgette dress by Jacques Azagury, who had become an important designer and fashion influence, helping her move into styles that were, like this, sexier - shorter and lower-cut. Reportedly, she was also taken with the dress because the color set off her blue eyes. It was in her wardrobe at Kensington Palace when she died, and is now in the collection of her clothing at Althorp. Perhaps more stunning was the magnificent pearl and diamond necklace that she wore (and helped design), made earlier that year by the crown jeweler Garrard’s and which featured her favorite gem, pearls. Apparently after the gala Diana decided she wanted a pair of earrings to match, and the necklace was sent back for the work, but tragically her untimely death shortly thereafter meant that she never wore the total suite. (Incidentally, after her death reportedly neither the royal family nor the Spencer’s wanted these jewels, and they were returned to Garrard’s, who subsequently resold them). | 
