All the Times Princess Diana Was a Poster Girl for Summer

Snaps of a sun-kissed Princess Diana holidaying in the ’80s and ’90s are enough to invoke major wanderlust. Her packing list alone would inspire anyone to dig out their bathing gear, even if St Tropez’s sandy coastline is but a distant dream right now. Diana’s laid-back linen separates, vibrant swimwear and throw-on dresses made up one of the most memorable elements of the royal’s always effortless wardrobe.

A lemon-yellow jumpsuit worn with gold shoes and a matching belt and jewelry made for a sunny look on a trip to Mallorca in 1987; animal-print pieces accompanied her on several excursions; and her repertoire of swimwear—including an iconic floral bikini worn in the South of France back in 1985—was a joyful explosion of color. Below, 25 photos that prove nobody did warm weather dressing quite like Diana.

1/25

Breezy mom-to-be

Windsor, 1982
2/25

A day at the polo

Cowdray Park, 1983
3/25

Setting sail in swimwear

South of France, 1985
4/25

Gingham checks

Windsor, 1986
5/25

A vision in lemon-yellow

Mallorca, 1987
6/25

Deckchair stripes

Balmoral, 1987
7/25

Summer brights

Mallorca, 1988
8/25

Statement sunnies

Sydney, 1988
9/25

Daytime chic

South Australia, 1988
10/25

Playful prints

New South Wales, 1988
11/25

Hot pink

Necker Island, 1989
12/25

Holiday casual

Mallorca, 1990
13/25

Cap sleeves and a smile

Nigeria, 1990
14/25

Mediterranean moments

On a yacht with Prince Charles and King Constantine II of Greece, 1990
15/25

A penchant for animal-print

Necker Island, 1990
16/25

Sandy hues in the desert

Egypt, 1992
17/25

Relaxed separates

Egypt, 1992
18/25

Neat neutrals

Egypt, 1992
19/25

Water sports

British Virgin Islands, 1993
20/25

Throw-on T-shirts

British Virgin Islands, 1993
21/25

Seafaring fun

South of France, 1996
22/25

Cropped trousers and flats

Angola, 1997
23/25

Pops of color

St Tropez, 1997
24/25

Wild streak

St Tropez, 1997
25/25

Beach strolls in monochrome

St Tropez, 1997