Princess Diana Visited the Brooklyn Academy of Music in 1989 — Remembering Her Night in NYC

During her lifetime, the late Princess of Wales, Princess Diana toured the world doing charitable deeds, but her first time in New York was truly a marvelous event.

Princess Diana became a member of the British royal family when she married Prince Charles. Although their marriage was rocky for the most part, Diana managed to rise above it and became widely admired.

The Princess was loved by many for her good nature and activism. One of her most iconic trips was to New York, where she spent an unforgettable night at the Brooklyn Academy of Music. Here are the details.

THE OPERA

In February 1989, Princess Diana visited New York City for the first time and a charity gala was held in her honor at Brooklyn Academy of Music. The proceeds from the $1,000-a-ticket went to the academy and the Princess's attendance drew various celebrities and political bodies to the event.

The fourth season of Netflix's drama series "The Crown," features Emma Corrin as a young Princess Diana.

The Welsh National Opera performed Verdi's ''Falstaff'' for the event but the orchestra also played ''God Save the Queen'' when the Princess arrived. She wore a white satin dress with a beaded corset and matching bolero and held a bouquet of white roses in her hands.

THE ORGANIZERS

Karen Brooks Hopkins, President Emerita of Brooklyn Academy of Music, revealed that the historic event began when the academy wished to host an opera but couldn't fund it. However, the Welsh National Opera’s Managing Director, Brian McMaster, was able to get the Princess to attend.

After the Opera was a luxurious dinner. BAM organized a motorcade to transport the guests to the World Financial Center for dinner at the Winter Garden. According to Hopkins, everything went smoothly thanks to the Princess's charisma.

THE NYC WELCOME

Princess Diana arrived in New York by a supersonic Concorde jet. Her then-husband Prince Charles was not in attendance but this did not damper the Princess's three-day visit.

She was warmly welcomed by crowds of people and paparazzi, who followed her everywhere. However, not everyone was pleased to see her as people against British rule protested outside the Brooklyn Academy of Music.

"THE CROWN"

The fourth season of Netflix's drama series "The Crown," features Emma Corrin as a young Princess Diana and the actress was captured filming the historic event in February. Although the show recreated New York, the scenes were shot in England.

Corrin was seen in a satin dress with a beaded corset and matching bolero, a replica of Diana's dress in 1989. The actress also wore matching drop earrings but her blond hair was longer. In 1997, Princess Diana died after a car crash while in Paris.