Kim Kardashian has found herself at the epicenter of a tempest of criticism, following her contentious choice to adorn herself with the late Princess Diana's iconic amethyst cross necklace during a recent, highly-anticipated public appearance. The reality TV sensation daringly complemented this emblematic accessory with an ensemble that left little to the imagination, a move that has enraged some avid royal enthusiasts.
Previously, Kardashian stirred up a storm of controversy when she wore Marilyn Monroe's legendary "Happy Birthday Mr. President" dress to the Met Gala in 2022. And now, on Saturday, the 44-year-old reality TV star made a dazzling entrance at the 2024 LACMA Art + Film Gala in Los Angeles, wearing Princess Diana's renowned cross necklace. According to the Daily Mail, Kardashian acquired this stunning piece of jewelry at a Sotheby's auction in 2023 for just under $200,000, but she had refrained from wearing it until this glittering occasion.
For this grand event, she skillfully paired the antique amethyst necklace with a daring white gown that barely concealed her figure, layering it with other exquisite jewelry pieces. She threw on an off-the-shoulder ivory coat, her dark hair styled in a sleek bob, parted to the left, adding an aura of sophistication to her look.
The late Princess Diana had worn the pendant on a string of pearls during her attendance at the 1987 Birthright charity gala, where she amazed the audience in a stunning purple velvet Catherine Walker gown. The Attallah Cross, named after its former owner Naim Attallah, was originally crafted by Garrard in the 1920s, featuring square-cut amethysts surrounded by 5.25 carats of dazzling circular-cut diamonds. Attallah had lent it to Princess Diana throughout the 1980s, making it a cherished piece of her wardrobe.
Kim's decision to debut the iconic jewelry sparked a fiery wave of outrage among fans and royal watchers, who flooded social media with their disappointment over what they deemed as a tacky and disrespectful misuse of a beloved royal's legacy. One person wrote, "She had the audacity to pair it with such a dress—a blatant display of tone-deafness, narcissism, and a lack of taste." Another commented, "Nothing quite captures the decline of our culture like a blinged-out crucifix dangling between bare breasts." A third remarked, "She'll always garner the attention she desires, but how can one be so insensitive, not only defying Diana's legacy but also dishonoring an important religious symbol? Repent or face eternal damnation!"
