Renae Plant, who runs the Camelot Kids Preschool in Los Angeles, is turning her lifelong devotion to Princess Diana into a public showcase. The former preschool director has amassed more than 800 dresses, accessories and personal items belonging to the late Princess of Wales, and the collection will open to the public this Saturday at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library and Museum in Simi Valley, California.
From a school trip to a lifelong mission
Plant’s fascination with Diana began in 1983, when a school field trip to a ginger factory in Queensland, Australia, gave her a chance to meet the Princess. After slipping away from her classmates, Plant watched Diana drop a small clay platypus, which a police officer later described as “fated.” She says the moment set her on a path of “divine intervention” that has guided her collecting efforts ever since.
Building the collection
Over the past twelve years Plant has purchased, bid on and even out‑bid the Historic Royal Palaces charity in London for Diana’s garments. Highlights include the vivid floral “caring dress” by Belville Sassoon, bought for $520,000 in 2022, and a studded Atelier Versace gown acquired for $200,000 in 2015. In total, Plant and her husband, Livinio Stuyck, have spent roughly $1.9 million on Diana pieces, financing many purchases by re‑mortgaging their home in 2015 and again in 2025.
Faith‑filled dedication
Plant attributes her success to more than savvy bidding; she frequently cites “the universe” and “angel numbers” as signs of guidance. She founded The Princess & The Platypus Foundation in 2018, a registered nonprofit that supports charities reflecting Diana’s own philanthropic work. “It’s my job to protect her life and legacy, and to share it with the world,” Plant says.
The upcoming exhibition
The three‑act exhibit, titled “Princess Diana: Love, Life and Legacy – A Life of Giving,” will trace Diana’s journey from childhood through her untimely death in 1997. Visitors will see personal letters, baby dresses, tape recorders, and a selection of gowns, including the iconic taffeta “spare” wedding dress and a black Jacques Azagury evening gown worn for Diana’s 36th birthday. The only loaned piece will be a velvet gown Diana twirled in with John Travolta at a 1985 White House dinner hosted by President Reagan.
Community impact
Plant balances her museum work with running a preschool, often spending evenings and weekends on bidding wars and climate‑controlled storage fees. She also maintains an online museum for paid members, allowing a broader audience to view the collection digitally. While she acknowledges the financial strain—recently missing a chance to buy the famed “revenge dress” at Sotheby’s—Plant remains committed to preserving Diana’s legacy for future generations.
Looking ahead
The Reagan Library exhibition marks the first public unveiling of many of Plant’s pieces, including a black Azagury gown that Diana never got to wear before her death. Plant hopes the show will inspire others to honor charitable work and timeless values, echoing the Princess’s own dedication to giving.
Original reporting: KRDO (Colorado Springs metro) — read the source article.
