When you think about the late Princess of Wales and her wardrobe, your mind probably jumps straight to the Lady Dior or maybe that Ferragamo hobo bag she carried everywhere in the nineties. It’s natural. Those brands literally renamed products after her. But there is a specific Princess Diana Louis Vuitton bag that usually gets left out of the montage, and honestly, it’s one of the most practical pieces she ever owned.
She wasn't just a "face" for brands. Diana used her clothes and accessories as tools. Sometimes they were armor; sometimes they were just bags. While the world was busy obsessing over her gowns, she was often seen lugging a very specific, oversized piece of French luggage through Heathrow or out of a gym.
We’re talking about the Louis Vuitton Monogram Sac Plat.
The Princess Diana Louis Vuitton Bag: Not Your Typical Royal Clutch
Most royal handbags are tiny. They're meant to hold a lipstick, maybe a handkerchief, and—most importantly—to give the wearer something to do with their hands so they don't have to shake hands with everyone in a crowd. But Diana lived a double life. There was the "Palace Diana" and then there was the "Chelsea Diana." The latter needed room for a change of clothes, a planner, and probably some snacks for William and Harry.
The Sac Plat was her workhorse.
Originally designed in 1968, the Sac Plat is basically a luxury paper shopping bag made of coated canvas. It’s stiff. It’s rectangular. It has zero pockets on the inside. Most people today use the "BB" or "PM" mini versions, but Diana used the classic, large-scale model. It was the ultimate "off-duty" accessory. While she famously leaned into the Gucci Bamboo handle tote (now the "Gucci Diana"), her Louis Vuitton was her go-to for travel.
If you look at paparazzi shots from the early 1990s, particularly those captured at airports, the Princess Diana Louis Vuitton bag is almost always there. It wasn't a gift for a state visit or a curated piece for a photoshoot. It was a bag she actually bought and used until the leather handles developed that deep, honey-colored patina that LV collectors crave.
🔗 Read more: Does Emmanuel Macron Have Children? The Real Story of the French President’s Family Life
Why she chose the Monogram over everything else
It’s kinda weird when you think about it. The Princess of Wales—the ultimate symbol of British fashion—carrying a massive French logo-heavy tote?
It actually makes sense. By the mid-90s, Diana was distancing herself from the rigid "Buy British" mandate of the Royal Family. She was embracing a more international, "global citizen" aesthetic. Carrying Louis Vuitton, Chanel, and Versace was a subtle act of rebellion. It was her saying she was no longer just a representative of the House of Windsor, but a woman with her own tastes.
The Sac Plat is surprisingly discreet for a monogram bag. Because it’s so flat, it tucks under the arm quite well. It’s not bulky. It doesn't bounce around.
A shift in the 1990s wardrobe
Her style evolved from the "Shy Di" ruffles of the eighties to a very streamlined, athletic silhouette. Think bike shorts, oversized sweatshirts, and blazer-and-jeans combos. The Princess Diana Louis Vuitton bag fit this perfectly. It was the "anti-handbag." It was functional.
- It held her heavy Filofax. People forget how much space those 90s planners took up.
- It was durable. The monogram canvas is basically indestructible, which is great when you're being chased by photographers through a parking lot.
- It stood up on its own. You could set it down on the floor of a car or a private jet and it wouldn't flop over.
The "Other" Louis Vuitton: The Keepall
While the Sac Plat was her daily tote, we have to mention her luggage. Diana was a frequent traveler, and she didn't just use those stiff, old-fashioned trunks. She was often spotted with the Louis Vuitton Keepall, usually in the 45 or 55 size.
She'd pair her Princess Diana Louis Vuitton bag (the Sac Plat) with a matching Keepall for weekend trips. It was a coordinated look that felt expensive but not "tiara" expensive. It was "rich mom" expensive. It’s an aesthetic that people are still trying to copy today on Pinterest and TikTok.
💡 You might also like: Judge Dana and Keith Cutler: What Most People Get Wrong About TV’s Favorite Legal Couple
There’s a famous photo of her at the airport wearing a cream-colored suit, dark sunglasses, and carrying her LV luggage. It’s the definition of effortless. She didn't look like a royal on a tour; she looked like a movie star. That distinction is why her style remains so relevant. She knew how to mix high-end luxury with items that actually felt useful.
What happened to her Louis Vuitton collection?
This is where things get a bit murky. Most of Diana’s iconic dresses were auctioned off for charity before her death in 1997. However, her personal accessories—the things she used in her everyday life—largely went to her sons or were kept in the Spencer family archives.
We don't see the Princess Diana Louis Vuitton bag on display in museums as often as the "Revenge Dress" or her wedding gown. This is mostly because it was an everyday item. It wasn't a "costume." But for fashion historians, these pieces are arguably more interesting because they show her genuine, uncurated preference.
How to get the look today without the vintage price tag
If you're looking for that specific Princess Diana Louis Vuitton bag today, you're looking for the "Sac Plat Vintage." Louis Vuitton has redesigned this bag several times. The modern versions usually have a shoulder strap and a different lining.
- The Original: The one Diana carried had a beige "cross-grain" leather lining. It was notorious for getting sticky over time if stored in humid closets.
- The Look: To mimic her style, you want the large size. It’s about 14 inches wide and 15 inches tall.
- Styling: Don't baby it. Diana’s bag looked used. She stuffed it to the brim. If you want to channel her energy, wear it with a slightly oversized blazer and some loafers.
Honestly, the reason this bag still works is its simplicity. It’s a rectangle. That’s it. It doesn't have the heavy hardware of a Birkin or the delicate quilting of a Chanel. It’s a shape that doesn't age.
The legacy of the Monogram in the Royal Family
After Diana, the "rules" for royal bags changed. You started seeing Kate Middleton and Meghan Markle carrying a much wider variety of international brands. Diana paved that way. She broke the unspoken rule that British royals should only carry British bags (like Launer).
📖 Related: The Billy Bob Tattoo: What Angelina Jolie Taught Us About Inking Your Ex
When she picked up that Louis Vuitton tote, she was signaling her independence. It was a move toward the "Americanization" of her style, which became very prominent in her final years when she was spending more time with people like Christie Brinkley and Lana Marks.
The Princess Diana Louis Vuitton bag represents a bridge between her life as a Princess and her life as a private woman. It was a bag for a woman who had places to go and things to do, not just someone who was there to be looked at.
Actionable Steps for Collectors and Fans
If you are hunting for this specific piece of fashion history, keep these details in mind to ensure you're getting the "Diana" era version:
- Check the Date Code: Look for bags made between 1990 and 1997. The codes are usually tucked inside the interior seam near the top.
- Look at the Handles: The vintage Sac Plat has rounded "Toron" handles. They should be a dark tan if the bag has been handled a lot.
- Avoid the "Petit" models: While cute, they aren't the ones she was famous for. The oversized, almost awkward scale of the large Sac Plat is what gives it that specific 90s chic vibe.
- Verify the Lining: The vintage versions often have a "washable" lining that can peel. If you find one that has been "cleaned" (the lining removed to show the soft fabric underneath), it’s often cheaper and actually more functional for modern use.
The Monogram Sac Plat remains a staple in the Louis Vuitton lineup, but the original large version is increasingly hard to find in good condition. It’s a testament to Diana’s eye for style that a bag she used for its utility has become a sought-after vintage treasure. She didn't just wear things; she gave them a narrative. And the story of her Louis Vuitton is one of a woman finally carrying her own weight—literally and figuratively.
Invest in the large vintage Sac Plat if you want a bag that balances historical significance with actual daily usability. It’s one of the few "celebrity" bags that doesn't feel like a costume when you wear it to the office or the gym. It’s just a great bag that happened to be owned by the most photographed woman in the world.