Kim Kardashian Sparks Controversy by Wearing Princess Diana’s Iconic Attallah Cross Necklace

Kim Kardashian has once again found herself in the midst of a social media frenzy, this time for donning a rare and deeply significant piece from the British royal collection: the stunning Attallah cross necklace that belonged to the late Princess Diana. This extravagant piece features a mesmerizing combination of amethyst and diamond accents, and its historical significance adds layers to the discussions surrounding its recent public appearance.

Fans have taken to social media to express their concerns, claiming that the billionaire mother of four exhibits an “obsession” with items associated with deceased celebrities. Critics argue that by wearing such historical artifacts, Kardashian fails to honor the legacies of these prominent figures, raising questions about respect and cultural sensitivity in her fashion choices.

Renowned for her flair for eye-catching and historically rich fashion items, Kardashian showcased the exquisite necklace at the prestigious Los Angeles County Museum of Art’s (LACMA) Art+Film Gala on November 2. She paired the necklace with an elegant white Gucci gown that featured a daring plunging neckline that drew significant attention and sparked a wave of online commentary.

As she wore the Attallah cross, it was elegantly positioned between her cleavage, a styling decision that caught the eyes of both attendees and the online community alike. This bold fashion move not only highlighted her affinity for statement pieces but also reignited discussions about her controversial approach to fashion and celebrity memorabilia.

Billionaire Kim Kardashian is being criticized for buying and wearing jewelry and dresses worn by famous women in history. Social media is saying she is obsessed with wearing items formerly worn by dead people. (Photo: @kimkardashian / Instagram)

The Attallah cross, a captivating blend of gold, silver, amethyst, and diamond craftsmanship, became one of Princess Diana’s most cherished accessories. Diana famously adorned this piece during a charity event in 1987, paired with a stunning Catherine Walker dress, and it has since become emblematic of her legacy.

This striking necklace is named after its original owner, Naim Attallah, who frequently lent it to Princess Diana, keeping it within his family until Kardashian acquired it through a competitive bidding process. This acquisition not only highlights Kardashian’s connection to royal history but also raises questions about the implications of owning and wearing items with such deep-rooted cultural significance.

Although Kardashian officially added the Attallah cross to her collection in January 2023, she chose to keep it under wraps until her 44th birthday. Since then, she has worn it publicly on two occasions, the first being documented by Lexy Roche, the Image Director at Maison Margiela, who shared an Instagram story featuring Kardashian in a black and purple tulle gown that complemented the necklace beautifully, as reported by Town & Country.

This latest appearance at the gala has reignited conversations about Kardashian’s apparent fascination with fashion items linked to deceased celebrity icons, and it has drawn sharp criticism from fans who feel that her actions lack the necessary sensitivity. Many believe that wearing such items crosses a line into exploitation rather than tribute, challenging the ethics behind celebrity fashion choices.

Fashion Bomb Daily shared a clip from Kardashian’s Saturday night appearance on Instagram, which quickly became a hotbed for commentary. The comment section was filled with mixed opinions, showcasing the polarizing nature of her fashion statements.

“I don’t know why but something just doesn’t feel right with this,” one user commented, echoing a sentiment that resonated with numerous others who shared similar concerns. This response highlights a growing unease around the cultural implications of publicly displaying items with rich histories.

Another critical comment questioned, “What’s her obsession with dead people stuff?” while another remarked, “I hate that this family has so many personal items of people who have passed on.” Such reactions reflect a deeper discomfort among fans regarding the ethics of wearing historically significant pieces.

Some comments labeled Kardashian’s attachment to the late princess as “very weird,” while another user remarked, “You look good Kim, but you know Diana wouldn’t like you.” These reactions collectively signify a rising skepticism about Kardashian’s intentions in wearing such historical items, suggesting that her choices may be perceived as exploitative rather than celebratory.

Interestingly, there are those who defended Kardashian’s style choices, arguing that she looked stunning and that collecting memorabilia from iconic figures is a common practice in the celebrity world. One user pointed out that “Drake’s been doing the same thing, buying up items from legends who passed,” while another noted, “Michael Jackson did the same thing—none of this is new.” This defense highlights a dichotomy in public perception regarding celebrity fashion and historical artifacts.

The Attallah cross is indeed a unique piece, as noted by Attallah’s son, Ramsay Attallah, who emphasized that Princess Diana was the only individual to have worn it prior to Kardashian. “When I was growing up, we’d always have it on the table for Christmas lunch, but it was never worn by anyone other than Diana, and it hasn’t been seen in public since she died,” he shared last year, underscoring the necklace’s rarity and historical weight.

This isn’t the first instance where Kardashian faced backlash for wearing pieces imbued with rich histories connected to iconic figures. At the 2022 Met Gala, she famously donned Marilyn Monroe’s “Happy Birthday, Mr. President” dress, a sheer, rhinestone-encrusted gown worn by Monroe to serenade President John F. Kennedy on his 45th birthday in 1962. This gown, known for its provocative design, ignited controversy due to its significant cultural implications.

Following Kardashian’s appearance in the gown, claims arose that it had been irreparably damaged. The owners contended that the fabric had stretched, new holes had appeared, and many rhinestones were either barely attached or had fallen off entirely. “The dress is categorically no longer the same — it has been ruined,” stated Molly Elizabeth Agnew from the Eternal Goddess.com, further fueling the debate on the ethics of wearing historical garments.

Despite the significant damage caused to the iconic garment, Kardashian continued to make headlines by wearing another of Monroe’s pieces, a green sequined gown from the 1962 Golden Globes. This exemplifies her commitment to making bold fashion statements, even at the potential cost of historical preservation.

In her social media posts, Kardashian expressed her excitement about acquiring the gown, stating, “In my quest to find the Jean Louis hand-beaded dress that I wore to the gala, I discovered @heritageauctions owned Marilyn’s iconic green sequined gown. Further into my research, I found out that the owner of the Golden Globe that she received that evening was none other than my friend @jeffleatham.”

She continued to share her enthusiasm, stating, “I saw this all as a sign of the way that all of the stars aligned. It will forever be one of the greatest privileges of my life to be able to channel my inner Marilyn in this way on such a special night.” Her words reflect a desire to connect with Hollywood’s storied past, though they raise questions about the implications of such connections.

In addition to her fascination with Marilyn Monroe, Kardashian’s collection also boasts jade and diamond bracelets that once belonged to Elizabeth Taylor, an actress she openly admires and considers a personal muse, as highlighted by Hello! Magazine. Kardashian acquired these bracelets at an auction in 2011, which demonstrates her long-standing interest in obtaining jewelry linked to beloved Hollywood legends.

Each of these significant acquisitions reflects Kardashian’s ambition to connect with — and perhaps embody — the fashion icons of the past. However, as her collection of relics from famous, deceased celebrities continues to expand, so does the public scrutiny surrounding her choices, prompting many to question whether this is merely an obsession, exploitation, a high-end collector’s passion, or simply “weird,” as some have suggested.