Princess Diana's wedding dress designer sues memory survivors

British fashion designer Elizabeth Emanuel, who created the wedding dress of Princess Diana, filed a lawsuit in federal court in Nevada against five organizers of the exhibition Princess Diana & The Royals in Las Vegas, accusing them of unauthorized reproduction of her designs, including a replica of a life-size dress, over the plume of which visitors walk along a glass path. The designer claims that the event "does not respect the artistic integrity and historical significance" of her creation and damages her reputation. Organizers, she said, approached her ex-husband David Emanuel after talks with her failed.

Designer Elizabeth Emanuel has sued five companies behind Princess Diana & The Royals, accusing them of copying her designs without permission. In addition, she claims that the organizers behind her turned to her ex-husband David Emanuel after initial negotiations with her failed. David, who designed Diana’s wedding dress with Elizabeth, allegedly had no authority to approve an exact copy.

The former couple created an ivory-colored silk taffeta dress with a huge plume, lush sleeves and intricate lace for the royal wedding at St. Paul's Cathedral in 1981, but Elizabeth claims the exhibition in Vegas created a "bad" imitation of her creation, which could damage her reputation. Court documents filed in Nevada show organizers first approached the designers in 2019 and began negotiations the following year. They then asked the couple to confirm their rights to the dress, which Elizabeth did in writing in 2020, but no agreement was reached, and the organizers allegedly approached David separately. According to the lawsuit, they eventually ordered Belgian artist Isabel de Borchgrave a life-size replica of the dress made entirely of paper. The replica is so compelling that visitors may mistake it for an authentic dress. She also sued alleged unauthorized copies of other outfits she created for the princess, including the bold black dress Diana first appeared in public after her engagement to Charles and the golden-white dress she wore at the Royal Opera House in 1986.

Elizabeth claims that her name is repeatedly used in the exhibition without permission, which can give visitors the impression that she approves of its contents, and that the dispute caused her emotional stress, embarrassment, humiliation and damaged her reputation. The designer is seeking damages and an injunction that could force organizers to remove the controversial artifacts, with the five defendants yet to respond.

The former couple had previously disputed ownership of sketches of designs they created together. In October 2024, they settled that separate claim, ending proceedings in the UK High Court over the drawings, which David Emanuel claimed were reproduced and auctioned without his consent. In a new Nevada state lawsuit, Elizabeth Emanuel seeks damages, profits related to the alleged infringement, and a court order to prevent further unauthorized use of protected works. It also requires the confiscation of infringing material and other remedies under federal and state law. The court has not ruled on the applications, and the organizers of the exhibitions have not yet submitted a response.