After years of legal battles, designers David and Elizabeth Emanuel have finally reached a settlement in the copyright lawsuit surrounding the iconic wedding dress sketches for Princess Diana.

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David and Elizabeth Emanuel, the once-celebrated fashion duo of the 1980s, have officially reconciled after a lengthy four-year legal dispute. The lawsuit stemmed from David’s claim that his ex-wife, Elizabeth, had illegally copied their designs for Princess Diana, including the legendary 1981 wedding dress, and auctioned them off without his consent. However, in a recent statement, the two designers confirmed that they had resolved the matter “amicably.”

The legal proceedings, which were heard in the London High Court, shed light on their collaboration, revealing fascinating details about their partnership. Not only did the pair design the stunning wedding dress for Princess Diana, but they were also responsible for several other iconic outfits worn by her. These included the voluminous chiffon blouse paired with a chic satin skirt, which Diana wore for her official engagement photo, as well as the glamorous black evening gown she donned during her first engagement with Prince Charles in 1981.

Reflecting on their partnership, Elizabeth shared, “During our time together, David and I created some of the most iconic fashion pieces of the 20th century. David was a key factor in the success of The Emanuel Partnership. I am so glad we have put our differences behind us and can now look towards the future with our individual careers.”

David also expressed his pride in their shared accomplishments: “Emanuel was a pioneering brand in the high fashion industry during the 1980s, up until Elizabeth and I parted ways. Our creations were beloved by the world’s most famous women. We had a unique style, and together, we created some of the most iconic dresses of the 20th century.”

David and Elizabeth first met at Harrow Art School in 1974, when he was 22 and she was 21. Two years later, they married and became the first couple to be accepted into the Royal College of Art. After graduating in 1977, they established their own fashion brand and opened a studio opposite Claridge’s Hotel.

Princess Diana first worked with the Emanuel fashion house when she sought a dress for her first official engagement with Prince Charles. She chose an elegant strapless black gown for a fundraising event at Goldsmith’s Hall.

A few years later, the young design duo was unexpectedly entrusted with creating the wedding dress for Princess Diana when they were still in their early twenties. The decision by Buckingham Palace took the world by surprise, as Diana had only worked with Emanuel on a few occasions and was already a fan of their designs.

The iconic ivory wedding dress with a record-breaking 7.6-meter train, intricately embellished with shimmering sequins, became the centerpiece of the “wedding of the century.” To ensure the dress would fit perfectly down the aisle of St. Paul’s Cathedral, David and Elizabeth secretly measured the church’s dimensions with a tape measure. In 1981, the dress was priced at approximately £9,000 (around $12,000) and is now considered one of the most influential wedding dresses in history.