The Times Princess Diana's Nieces Channeled Her Iconic Revenge Dress

Diana, Princess of Wales, changed royal history in several crucial ways, but never quite as indelibly as when she wore a black dress to finally get across everything she couldn't say out loud. In the years that followed, her look became one of the most scrutinized fashion moments in modern memory. Notably, the conversation didn't so much focus on the style aspect as it did on the fact that it was rather unconventional and protocol-breaking and full of pointed rebuke, aimed primarily at Diana's estranged husband, the then-Prince of Wales, Charles.

More than 30 years later, Diana's nieces took a page out of her book and showed up in roughly the same ensemble, a few steps from the man it was originally meant for. Lady Amelia Spencer and Lady Eliza Spencer, Prince William and Prince Harry's twin cousins and the daughters of Diana's brother Charles Spencer, appeared at the 2026 RHS Chelsea Flower Show on May 18, 2026, in chic all-black. Royal watchers instantly clocked the familiarity of the style, and concluded that the two were channeling their aunt's famous "revenge dress."

Igor Fain/Instagram

Amelia's gown, which was designed by Dune London, bared her shoulders — a near one-on-one echo of Diana's iconic dress. Diamonds were stacked at her neckline too, enough to conjure her aunt in the minds of every onlooker with a keen eye. As for Eliza Spencer, she matched that energy in a close-cut black turtleneck, also from Dune London, with a high slit that revealed a leg sheathed in black tights. Putting the two together added up to an unmistakable callback to Diana's iconic 1994 dress. Whether the sisters did it on purpose or they simply share the beloved royal's taste for monochrome designs is up for debate, but one didn't need to squint to see Diana.

Fashion-conscious celebrities have been emulating Princess Diana's sexy black Christina Stambolian "revenge dress" for years. With the Spencer twins now arguably doing likewise, it seems to have made its way back into royal circles, too. At the 2024 Fashion Awards in London, Lady Amelia Spencer and Lady Eliza Spencer once again seemingly paid homage to their late aunt. Amelia wore a plunging Pamella Roland number from the label's Resort 2025 collection while her sister went with a draped black design by Gaurav Gupta. 

It wouldn't be a proper nod to the legendary "revenge dress" without a choker, so naturally both ladies obliged. In fact, that particular item of jewelry has become a fixture in recent years. Prior to the flower show, the sisters turned up with another set of bejeweled chokers for the European premiere of "The Devil Wears Prada 2," in April 2026 (see lede article image above). While their black ensembles didn't necessarily register as Diana-adjacent, Amelia's black strapless gown had that same eye-catching bare-shoulder effect. 

Aside from arguably paying homage to her famous "revenge dress," it's worth noting that Princess Diana's nieces have talked about their late aunt several times over the years — specifically how she has affected their chosen careers. Both model professionally now, and it's no secret that Diana's fashion sense has inspired them. Amelia told HOLA! Fashion, in October 2025, that she found it fascinating how the People's Princess "used fashion as a form of self-expression," while Eliza noted simply, "Her style was timeless," (via Hello! magazine). 

As such, as it turns out, blue eyes aren't the only feature Lady Amelia and Lady Eliza share with Princess Diana. In fact, when these fashionable twins step out, they are actually channeling the Spencer knack for letting their clothes do the talking (even if Amelia and Eliza have yet to court the same kind of controversy with their black dresses — yet).