The late Diana, Princess of Wales was known for her keen sense of style and trend-setting throughout her adult life. One of her biggest style moments came in 1985 in Australia where Diana made a bold choice for an emerald necklace. 

On 31 October 1985, the Princess wore an emerald and diamond choker necklace as a bandeau-style headband across her forehead at a dinner in Melbourne. 

It came out in 2024 that the choice was made not to make a fashion statement but rather for practicality. Diana had had a sunburn on her neck and suggested wearing it as a headband instead. Her hairstylist quickly used a piece of elastic to secure the necklace to her forehead, making for an iconic image. 

The Art Deco-style necklace originally belonged to Queen Mary. Mary received the emerald and diamond necklace as a gift in 1911 for the Delhi Durbar. 

In true Queen Mary style though, the wife of King George V had the piece reset into the Art Deco style seen now. 

Diana wore the piece on several occasions. She chose it for a visit to the Tate Gallery on her birthday, 1 July, in 1997, one of the last times she wore the necklace. 

In 2022, it was seen again when the now Princess of Wales, Catherine, wore it with a green dress for the Earthshot Prize.