Princess Di named 'The Most Elegant Women Ever'

London, Aug 8 : Years after her death, Princess Diana is still an influential 'style icon' - the royal has topped a list of the 'Most Elegant Women Ever'.

She has beaten Sophia Loren, an Academy Award winning Italian film actress, to land the top spot.

Grace Kelly, generally known as Princess Grace of Monaco, came third while Audrey Hepburn stood fourth.

Rounding off the top five was none other than blonde beauty Marilyn Monroe.

According to elegance expert and former headmistress at school for etiquette Lucie Clayton Jean Broke Smith, their old-fashioned etiquette has yet to be rivalled in today's celebrity world.

"The word 'elegance' to me means Audrey Hepburn - the Little Black Dress," the Daily Express quoted her, as saying.

"I think of Princess Diana - she was so iconic because of her elegance," she added.

The top ten 'Most Elegant Women Ever' are:

1. Princess Diana

2. Sophia Loren

3. Grace Kelly

4. Audrey Hepburn

5. Marilyn Monroe

6. Catherine Zeta Jones

7. Ava Gardner

8. Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis

9. Greta Garbo

10. Carla Bruni

ANI