Kim Kardashian faces backlash for wearing Princess Diana's iconic cross necklace
Kim Kardashian is facing backlash after wearing Princess Diana's Attalah Cross necklace at the 2024 LACMA Art + Film Gala on Saturday in Los Angeles.
The celebrity has been accused of turning it into something "vulgar."
Kardashian, 44, purchased the iconic piece at a Sotheby's auction for $US200,000 (approx. $303,280) in 2023, wearing it for the first time at the event on November 2.
The necklace is a gold and amethyst crucifix on a pearl rope.
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Kim Kardashian is facing backlash after wearing Princess Diana's Attalah Cross necklace. Richard Shotwell/Invision/AP
The Attallah Cross was originally made by Garrand in the 1920s, and features square-cut amethysts surrounded by 5.25 carats of circular-cut diamonds, as well as 900 pearls.
The late Princess Of Wales wore it at several events, including film and theater premieres over the years.
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The reality star styled the necklace differently to the late princess.
Here, Princess Diana wears the dress with a high-neck gown, the cross falling to her waist. Tim Graham Photo Library via Get
Kardashian has been accused of turning the famous piece into something 'vulgar' through her styling choice. Richard Shotwell/Invision/AP
Kardashian wore a fitted plunging white gown, looping the pearls so the striking cross rested in between her breasts.
This is in stark contrast to Princess Diana's style choice. She chose a high-neck gown, wearing the necklace so the cross fell to her waist.
Diana wore the cross to several events including the Charity Gala Evening On Behalf Of Birthright At Garrard in 1987.
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"It looks shocking, it ruins Christianity," one X user said.
"Disgusting… vulgar," another commented.
"It's always a conversation starter when celebrities wear significant pieces of jewelry, especially those with historical meaning," one X user wrote.
"While some may see it as disrespectful, others might view it as a way to honour Diana's legacy," they continued. "It certainly raises questions about how we celebrate cultural icons in contemporary fashion."
Another said: "This is just insulting for Christians."
One X user commented: "She wants to be connected to the Royal Family so bad."
"Diana wore it better. Does Kim own any complete outfits?" another said.
This isn't the first time Kim Kardashian has faced backlash for a fashion nod to a cultural icon.
She famously wore Marilyn Monroe's 'Happy Birthday Mr President' dress for the Met Gala in 2022.
Kardashian was given permission by the gown's owner, Ripley's Believe It or Not, to wear the iconic gown.
Kardahsian famously wore Marilyn Monroe's 'Happy Birthday Mr President' dress for the Met Gala in 2022. Penske Media via Getty Images
The organisation denied accusations Kardashian had damaged the dress.
"From the bottom of the Met steps, where Kim got into the dress, to the top where it was returned, the dress was in the same condition it started in," Amanda Joiner, Ripley's vice-president of publishing and licensing, said in a statement
Stuart McClave, Kardashian and Cooper Koch at the 2024 LACMA Art+Film Gala. Getty Images for LACMA
The 13th annual LACMA Art+Film Gala was sponsored by Gucci and this year honoured Australian writer and director Baz Luhrmann and sculptor Simone Leigh.
Proceeds from the annual Art+Film Gala go toward initiatives in the arts.
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