Princess Diana's Wedding Dress Will Be Displayed at a Temporary Exhibition at Kensington Palace
Princess Diana's iconic wedding dress designed by the Emanuels will be a part of the "Royal Style in the Making" exhibition at Kensington Palace this June.
On July 29, 1981, Diana Spencer married Prince Charles in a Royal Wedding that was broadcasted in over 50 countries. The princess donned a wedding gown by Elizabeth and David Emanuel, an iconic piece that continues to be talked about even decades later.
Now, Royal fans and fashion enthusiasts will have a chance to see the wedding gown in person, as it will be part of the display at Kensington Palace in June. When she was alive, Princess Diana called the sprawling property her home.
Princess Diana at a State Banquet on November 16, 1986. | Photo: Getty Images
Her two sons, Prince William and Prince Harry, gave their approval to have the gown displayed as the centerpiece for the "Royal Style in the Making" exhibition created for royal fans this summer. The gown features huge puff sleeves with ruffles, lace, and bows as accents.
The classic gown also features a 25-foot train which the Princess of Wales unveiled on the steps of St. Paul's Cathedral before her marriage to Prince Charles. Royal fashion fans can see the piece firsthand beginning June 3.
Aside from showcasing the Royal Family's style that has evolved through the years, the exhibition sheds light on the relationship between fashion designers and the royals. It will also include other historic fashion pieces, such as a rare toile from the Queen Mother's 1937 coronation gown.
The Duke of Edinburgh privately wrote her letters to try and influence her not to get a divorce.
According to Matthew Storey, an exhibition curator at Historic Royal Palaces, they have great surprises for fashion fans planning to visit the exhibit aside from Diana's wedding dress. Discussing the exhibit some more, he said:
"[The exhibition] will shine a spotlight on some of the greatest talents of British design, whose work has been instrumental in shaping the visual identity of the Royal Family."
The upcoming exhibition commemorates the start of a series of celebrations for the late princess. As she would have turned 60 on July 1, her sons will be unveiling a statue of their mother on the palace grounds. The beloved princess died in 1997 after a fatal car crash in Paris.
Currently, the Royal Family is mourning the death of Prince Philip, Queen Elizabeth II's husband of 73 years. New reports have surfaced, claiming he had a rocky relationship with Princess Diana until the end of her marriage to his eldest son.
In the beginning, both Prince Philip and Princess Diana were considered "outsiders" in the royal family. As the late princess tried to adjust to the restrictions of being a royal, it was allegedly Prince Philip who helped her.
During the demise of Charles' marriage to Diana, the Duke of Edinburgh privately wrote her letters to influence her not to get a divorce. In fact, he once disclosed to her that he couldn't imagine anyone choosing Camilla Parker-Bowles over her.
Although Philip vowed to save his son and daughter-in-law's marriage, it still ended. The close relationship between Philip and Diana also slowly crumbled as he believed it was wrong for her to engage in extra-marital affairs as well.