Princess Diana’s fashion designer Belinda Bellville dead at 94

Fashion designer Belinda Bellville noted for her dresses loved by Princess Diana has died at 94.

As well as the late Princess of Wales Ms Bellville also made pieces for Audrey Hepburn and Jackie Kennedy, as well as Princess Margaret, the late Queen’s sister.

Once a fashion model, by the age of 23 she started her own fashion house Bellville et Cie, having been inspired by her gran, who ran a dress shop in Savile Row during the 1920s.

When Princess Diana was just 19 she visited the store in Knightsbridge, which Ms Bellville ran with fellow fashion designer David Sassoon.

He told Channel 5 documentary Secrets of the Royal Wardrobe: “Her mother brought her into us to have a trousseau made. She had previously come in and there was a disaster with the vendeuse.

“She chose about ten dresses and her mother paid for them. I was thrilled she asked us to design her going-away outfit although I was disappointed we didn’t do her wedding dress.”

Ms Bellville was credited with helping the Diana become a fashion icon, recognisable around the world.