Kim Kardashian is copping backlash for wearing Princess Diana’s famed amethyst cross necklace to a Los Angeles gala, with some calling it “disrespectful” and “vulgar”.
Kim Kardashian has copped criticism for wearing an amethyst and diamond cross necklace famously worn by Princess Diana at the 2024 LACMA Art + Film Gala in Los Angeles, styled with a plunging white dress.
The 44-year-old reality TV personality turned heads at the high-profile event on Saturday, pairing the antique piece, known as the Attallah Cross, with a striking white gown, an off-the-shoulder overcoat, and bold, oversized jewellery.
The Attallah Cross, owned by Naim Attallah, former CEO of British luxury brand Asprey, was first worn by Diana, Princess of Wales, to a Birthright charity gala in 1987.
Prince William will travel to South Africa ahead of the Earthshot Prize awards.
Kim Kardashian attends the 2024 LACMA Art+Film Gala at Los Angeles County Museum of Art on November 2, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. Picture: Monica Schipper/Getty Images
Known for her bold style, Diana wore the cross alongside a string of pearls and a velvet evening gown with an Elizabethan-style ruff collar by Catherine Walker.
Diana borrowed the Attallah cross pendant on numerous occasions from Garrard, the royal jeweller at the time.
Kardashian purchased the piece at a Sotheby’s auction in London in January 2023 for USD$200,000 (approximately AUD$303,070), just months after making waves by wearing Marilyn Monroe’s ‘Happy Birthday Mr. President’ dress to the Met Gala in 2022.
At the time, Kardashian revealed she had dropped 16 pounds to fit into the 1962 Swarovski-studded Jean Louis gown, borrowed from Ripley’s Believe It or Not.
October 1981: Diana, Princess Of Wales, at a charity gala evening on behalf of Birthright at Garrard. The Princess wore the Attallah amethyst crucifix suspended on a pearl rope. Picture: Tim Graham Photo Library via Getty Images
Pete Davidson and Kim Kardashian attend The 2022 Met Gala Celebrating “In America: An Anthology of Fashion” at The Metropolitan Museum of Art on May 2, 2022 in New York City. Picture: Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images
Kim Kardashian borrowed Marilyn Monroe’s iconic ‘Happy Birthday Mr President’ dress from Ripley’s Believe It or Not. Picture: John Shearer/Getty Images
“I do not know who allows it, but can we please STOP giving Kim Kardashian access to iconic pieces of fashion and jewelry worn by icons such as Marilyn Monroe’s dress and Princess Diana’s necklace – it loses all its significance on her,” one fan commented.
“Justice for Princess Di; she doesn’t deserve to be disrespected like this,” another wrote on Instagram.
A third comment on X called the move the “definition of vulgar”.
Kim Kardashian purchased Princess Diana’s Attallah Cross e at a Sotheby’s auction in London in January 2023 for $200,000 USD (approximately $303,070 AUD). Picture: Matt Winkelmeyer/Getty Images for LACMA
Prince William has made a rare comment about his relationship with his late mother Princess Diana in a new documentary.
Yet, some fans celebrated Kardashian’s choice.
“Kim Kardashian always makes a statement at events like the LACMA Art + Film Gala! Her style is consistently captivating,” one Instagram user wrote.
Another praised her fashion archive: “Let her wear what she wants! She bought the necklace!”
A third fan defended her, writing, “It seems that Kim Kardashian is attending the 2024 LACMA Art+Film Gala, an event known for its high-profile attendees and often extravagant fashion statements.
“The choice of attire and the setting suggests she is engaging with her fashion-forward image, which is a consistent theme in her public appearances,” they said.
