5 Shocking Secrets Behind Princess Diana's Iconic Philadelphia Eagles Jacket And Its 2025 Resurgence

The enduring style of Princess Diana continues to capture the world’s imagination, and perhaps no single item of clothing is as delightfully unexpected as her Philadelphia Eagles varsity jacket. Worn on multiple occasions in the 1990s, this bold piece of American sportswear became an instant global fashion statement, perfectly encapsulating her rebellious and down-to-earth spirit. As of early 2025, the jacket is experiencing an unprecedented resurgence, with replica releases selling out instantly and cementing its status as one of the most iconic pieces of '90s royal fashion.

This single piece of outerwear—a bright green and white letterman jacket from an American football team—is more than just a novelty; it is a fascinating intersection of royalty, American sports culture, and timeless style. The story of how the Princess of Wales acquired it is a tale of a chance meeting, a personal favor, and a fashion moment that continues to inspire designers and fans decades later. The demand for the item is so high that a recent re-release in late 2024 saw intense shopper "chaos" as fans rushed to secure their own piece of history.

Princess Diana: A Brief Profile and Her Style Legacy

Diana Spencer, later Princess of Wales, was born on July 1, 1961, and tragically passed away on August 31, 1997. She was renowned globally not only for her humanitarian work but also as a transcendent fashion icon. Her style evolution, moving from demure royal dresses to power suits and, famously, casual streetwear, set trends that continue to influence contemporary fashion.

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• Full Name: Diana Frances Spencer
• Title: Princess of Wales (1981–1996)
• Children: Prince William, Prince Harry
• Iconic Era: 1980s and 1990s
• Style Signature: The "Sloane Ranger" look, revenge dresses, cycling shorts and oversized sweatshirts, and bold casualwear like the Eagles jacket.
• Global Impact: Her outfits are frequently cited as inspiration by contemporary fashion houses and celebrities, proving her timeless influence.

The Untold Story of the Philadelphia Eagles Jacket

The acquisition of the Philadelphia Eagles jacket is a story so improbable it sounds like Hollywood fiction. It all began with a chance encounter in 1982, a full decade before the jacket was first photographed publicly.

1. The Unexpected Meeting at a Royal Funeral

The seed for the iconic jacket was planted at the funeral of Princess Grace of Monaco (formerly American actress Grace Kelly) in 1982. Princess Diana was in attendance, and it was there she met a man named Jack Edelstein. Edelstein was not a fashion designer or a royal aide; he was the longtime statistician for the Philadelphia Eagles NFL team.

During their conversation, Diana noticed that Edelstein was wearing a jacket with the Eagles logo. She reportedly commented that she loved the team’s colors—the bold Kelly green and white—which she found "lovely." Edelstein, seizing the moment, promised to send her one.

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2. A Custom Gift from the Team Owner

Upon his return to the United States, Jack Edelstein made good on his promise. He worked with the then-owner of the Philadelphia Eagles, Leonard Tose, to have a custom varsity jacket made specifically for the Princess of Wales. The jacket was then packaged and shipped to Kensington Palace.

The jacket was a genuine, custom-made piece of team gear. It was a varsity-style bomber jacket featuring the Eagles' distinctive logo and colors. This was not a piece of high-end couture but a genuine piece of American sports apparel, a detail that made its appearance on a royal figure all the more surprising and endearing to the public.

3. Worn for Real-Life, Casual Moments

Unlike many of her formal gowns, the Eagles jacket was not reserved for state dinners or official engagements. Diana was famously photographed wearing the jacket in the early 1990s, most notably while performing the everyday task of picking up her sons, Prince William and Prince Harry, from school.

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This choice of attire—pairing the oversized jacket with simple cycling shorts, trainers, and a sweatshirt—was a masterclass in casual chic. It symbolized her desire to live a more normal life outside the confines of royal protocol and instantly made her relatable to millions. This image, captured on a 1994 cover of *People* magazine, solidified the jacket’s place in pop culture history.

The Timeless Fashion Impact and 2025 Resurgence

The cultural impact of Princess Diana's Eagles jacket is undeniable. It was a groundbreaking moment that merged two seemingly disparate worlds: British royalty and American sports.

4. The Birth of the "Athleisure Royal" Look

Diana's styling of the Eagles jacket was revolutionary. She took a piece of heavy, masculine sportswear and incorporated it into a feminine, casual wardrobe. This look is often credited as a precursor to the modern "athleisure" trend, proving that comfortable, athletic-inspired clothing could be effortlessly stylish.

The jacket's visibility on a global figure like Diana made the Philadelphia Eagles a household name in fashion circles worldwide, giving the NFL team an unexpected boost in international recognition. It demonstrated her power to turn any item, no matter how humble or unexpected, into a coveted fashion piece.

5. The 2024/2025 Shopping Frenzy and Replica Restock

Decades after Diana first wore it, the jacket's popularity remains explosive. The latest news confirms a massive resurgence in demand, driven by modern nostalgia and the jacket's timeless appeal.

The sports apparel company Mitchell & Ness, known for its vintage sportswear reproductions, has capitalized on this demand by releasing a replica of the iconic jacket. The initial release and a subsequent restock in late 2024 and early 2025 have been met with overwhelming enthusiasm.

The $400 replica jacket has repeatedly sold out, with reports of fans lining up and creating a frenzy to purchase the item. This intense demand, which saw a second re-release in December 2024, highlights how Princess Diana's fashion choices continue to drive commercial success and cultural moments well into the 21st century. The jacket is not just clothing; it is a piece of fashion history that fans are desperate to own.

Where Is the Original Jacket Now?

While Mitchell & Ness sells an official replica, the whereabouts of the original, custom-made Philadelphia Eagles jacket gifted to Princess Diana by Jack Edelstein and Leonard Tose remain one of the great mysteries of royal fashion.

Many of Diana's most famous garments are either held in private collections, occasionally displayed in museum exhibits, or kept by her sons, Prince William and Prince Harry. However, the exact location of the Eagles varsity jacket is currently unknown. The fact that it was a casual piece, not a formal gown, makes its fate harder to trace. It is possible it remains in a private collection, perhaps with one of her children, or simply stored away, waiting for a future exhibition to reveal its location.

Regardless of its current location, the Princess Diana Eagles jacket remains a powerful symbol of her unique style—a blend of high royalty and accessible, American-inspired street style. It is a perfect example of how her personality shone through her clothing, turning a simple piece of team merchandise into an international fashion phenomenon.