Washington: A sketch of a burqa prepared for Princess Diana’s 1986 tour to the Gulf region will be auctioned in the US this month. Had she had worn it, it would have caused a sensation across the globe. The sketch of burqa was shown in new documents. A sketch of the garment shows it was in white, full-length and with just a slit for her eyes. It was designed by David and Elizabeth Emanuel, who also designed her wedding dress. One folder from the designers is marked “H.R.H. The Princess of Wales, Visit to Saudi Arabia, Nov. 1986, Reserve Outfit.”
In a letter ordering the designs for the Gulf tour, Princess Diana’s lady-in-waiting wrote: “In all cases modesty is the order of the day.”
It appears that she had planned to wear burqa at the more conservative stops on her tour, which included Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and Oman.
Other items up for auction include dress designs and fabric samples.