Diana, The People's Princess Doll

In February 1998, the Franklin Mint launched a new doll product line in national magazines.  The ads appeared just as the Mint’s porcelain portrait dolls” were being shipped to collectors and barely six months after Diana’s tragic and untimely death.  The product line was “The People’s Princess Portrait Doll” and the ads showed her wearing a classic pale blue knit suit in front of a wardrobe holding several other outfits hanging closet-style with accessories scattered above and beneath them on the floor.  The doll was $90 and by purchasing her, collectors could subscribe to the additional wardrobe outfits that would be sold later. 

Each outfit was accompanied by a handful of accessories such as jewelry, shoes or purses.  Most items were miniature versions of Diana’s actual belongings, however sometimes the jewelry included had been worn with the same outfit to a different event than the story card mentioned.  One entire “outfit” box was filled with the sporting goods accessories needed to complete the ski suit outfit, complete with skis, poles, boots, a camera and sunglasses.  

The doll’s face, hair and outfit were contemporary with a charitable photo opportunity at which Diana had been presented with roses named in her honor.  The other outfits, peeking out of the trunk, were a major tease for collectors.  One was quite obviously the famous ink-blue velvet ball gown Diana had worn to a White House State dinner in 1985.  Another was a short red cocktail dress and a third was a navy suit with a matching hat.  The outfits were priced at $45 each, plus shipping and handling.

 Eventually, the first six outfits in the wardrobe were all available for purchase either separately or dressed on a doll.  Some collectors were pleased by this, as it afforded them the opportunity to display more than one outfit at a time. 

Another display option was purchasing a plastic “dress form” mannequin.  At $20 each, this was an expensive choice.

Those collectors who didn’t have the space to display multiple dolls had the option of storing the wardrobe items in a navy doll trunk, which came complete with a hanging bar, four drawers, two shelves and a decorative bud vase with a small spray of Diana’s namesake roses.  It was available for purchase for $90, but initially was sent free to collectors who had subscribed to the collection.

More outfits were released until there were fourteen altogether, not counting the limited edition outfits sold that came dressed on a doll.  The last four Limited Edition dolls were priced at $135 each.

Dolls (Regular & Limited Edition)

• The People’s Princess Portrait Doll
• The People’s Princess in Midnight Blue Velvet
• Princess of Hearts LE 5,000
• Princess of Glamour LE 10,000
• Princess of Grandeur LE 5,000
• People’s Princess Expo East LE 100
• People’s Princess Disney Event LE 75
• People’s Princess Red Lamé LE 750
• People’s Princess Navy Cocktail LE 750
• People’s Princess White Gown LE 750
• Princess of Elegance vinyl LE 1,000
• People's Princess in Purple Versace Gown (pictured in outfit group)
• People's Princess in the Wedding Gown
• People's Princess in Velvet (2008--in Midnight Blue Velvet with outfit accessories)
• Portrait of a Bridal Princess Vinyl Doll
• Princess Diana Vinyl Portrait Doll Black Velvet Gown (Versailles)

Regular wardrobe collection ensembles:

• Blue Bouclé Suit
• Midnight Blue Velvet Gown
• Red High-Fashion Bow Dress
• Casual Khaki Ensemble
• Navy/ White Suit with Hat
• White Lace Halter Gown
• White “Mother Teresa” Suit 
• Purple Chicago Gown   
• Black and White Sportswear Ensembles
• Black Sequinned Gown
• Ski Ensemble
• White Chiffon Gown
• Grey Suit with Hat
• Wedding Gown

Out of all the Princess Diana doll products available, this product line has been my favorite because it has been the most versatile and expandable.  I only wish that the Mint would have continued issuing outfits and had updated the doll to one with bendable arms and legs.  (There is a way around this problem, but I guess I should save that for another guide.)

If you plan to buy anything from this collection, make sure that all the correct pieces are included.  Collectors who are selling these on aren’t always careful to keep track of which outfit the watch came with or the niceties of which earrings go with which gown.  Mix 'n' match can be fun until one wants to sell and realizes that some other doll has absconded with Diana's gorgeous earrings and left some yucky homemade ones in their place!

Visit my Franklin Mint doll web pages by checking my About Me page.  Click on the link to my collection, then follow along to:  Series Doll List, Franklin Mint People's Princess Portrait Doll and Wardrobe.

Please do not expect me to perform free valuations of your collectibles and I won't ask you to mow my lawn.    I know, I know, it's not funny, but it's not funny when people expect me to work for free either.