Princess Diana always wore this sweatshirt to the gym for this reason

diana sweatshirt
(Image credit: Getty)

Princess Diana was no fool when it came to dressing strategically. For example, she never wore heels when she was photographed with Prince Charles as she didn't want to appear much taller than him, and she always held her clutch bag in front of her chest whilst getting out of cars, so no one could get a picture of her cleavage.

Turns out this wasn't her only way to trick the paparazzi. She hated being photographed on her visits to the gym, so she decided to take matters in her own hands.

Her old personal trainers, Jenni Rivett, said in an interview with The Royal Box, 'Every single session all the media were outside camped with their stepladders, and cameras and lenses and everything. For her she just found it so incredibly, 'why are they so interested in me when there is more important things to worry about in the world.'

So she decided to wear a Virgin Active sweatshirt which was gifted to her by Sir Richard Branson, who was friends with the royal. It was navy and featured the iconic flying lady, with the tagline 'Fly Atlantic.

diana sweatshirt

(Image credit: Getty)

Jenni said, 'It became her most worn top on her regular visits to the gym. She felt there were far more important issues to focus on in the world then her gym attire and therefore decided that wearing the famous Virgin sweatshirt to every session, would be a good way to stop the media frenzy!'

Princess Diana went on to give Jenni a bunch of the sweaters, one of which has just sold at auction for $53k.

Penny Goldstone

Penny Goldstone is the Contributing Fashion Editor at Marie Claire UK. She writes about catwalk trends and the latest high street and Instagram sartorial must-haves. She also helms the Women Who Win franchise.

She has worked in fashion for over 10 years, contributing to publications such as Cosmopolitan, Red, Good Housekeeping, and Stylist.