Even decades later, Princess Diana’s wedding continues to cast a long shadow over royal memorabilia, and now, one of its most unusual keepsakes is up for grabs.
A magnum of Dom Pérignon Vintage 1961, specially bottled for Diana and Prince Charles’s July 29, 1981, ceremony, will be auctioned on December 11 at Bruun Rasmussen, a Danish auction house in Kongens Lyngby, just outside Copenhagen.
© Tim Graham"This is a custom-made Champagne created for a world-famous event, making it exceptionally rare. It represents not only a highly valued Dom Pérignon edition, but also an extraordinary piece of British cultural history," said Thomas Rosendahl Andersen, head of the wine department at Bruun Rasmussen.
Only twelve magnums were produced for the wedding, and this bottle, which is still full, is expected to attract international attention. "Only 12 magnum bottles were made, and this is one of them," Andersen confirmed to AFP. The magnum is estimated to sell for between 500,000 and 600,000 Danish kroner, roughly $78,000 to $95,000.
© Bruun Rasmussen
© Bruun RasmussenThe bottle carries a historical label. “Shipped specially in honor of the wedding of His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales and Lady Diana Spencer, July 29, 1981.” The vintage is itself notable, dating to 1961, the year Diana was born, and was disgorged twenty years later for the wedding.
© Fox PhotosRosendahl emphasizes that the bottle is still drinkable. “I am fully confident that the bottle is still drinkable; we do not wish to offer wines at our auctions that we do not believe can still be enjoyed. We examine all bottles very thoroughly, and among other things, we shine a light through bottles like this one to ensure that the color still appears fresh and bright and not brown or cloudy.”
© William Thomas Cain
© Tristan FewingsHe adds that the magnum could appeal to a diverse range of collectors. “It could be a classic wine collector, who finds it amusing to have this bottle in his collection, but also a collector of royal objects, who collects items perhaps related to Lady Diana or English royal memorabilia.”
© Anwar HusseinThe current owner, an anonymous collector, purchased the bottle years ago from a London dealer. Although Diana’s personal items have long drawn high bids, sometimes at surprising amounts, such as a slice of wedding cake that sold for 2,600 euros in 2021, the sale of this champagne marks a particularly rare opportunity.
Royal wedding memorabilia has a mixed history at auction. In 2004, a magnum of the same vintage failed to find a buyer in the U.K., bidding stagnated around $2,128 before the sale was called off. Moët & Chandon had originally recommended drinking the champagne “within two or three years” of the wedding, a detail that may have deterred potential buyers at the time. Four years later, Heritage Auction sold a similar bottle for $12,000, a fraction of today’s expected price.
© Oli Scarff“This is the first time I've come across a bottle with such a beautiful history and provenance,” Rosendahl told Fox News Digital. “I am quite certain that the hammer price will fall within the estimate we have provided.”
© Anwar HusseinThe 1981 royal wedding was a global event, watched by hundreds of millions, and the Dom Pérignon served that day now carries that cultural weight. “It is extremely rare for such a type of bottle to appear on the market,” Andersen said. “This is a classic example of a historical object that also has a tangible, functional purpose—you could actually open it and enjoy it.”
© Joe Giddens - PA ImagesBruun Rasmussen anticipates strong international interest, attracting both experienced wine collectors and enthusiasts of royal memorabilia alike. The combination of rarity, provenance, and royal connection makes it a particularly compelling piece for auction-goers.
Even nearly thirty years after Diana’s tragic death, her personal effects continue to generate fascination and extraordinary prices. From couture dresses to wedding keepsakes, collectors remain eager to own a tangible connection to her life and her legacy. This bottle of champagne, carefully preserved and authenticated, offers a sip of history to whoever is lucky enough to take it home.
