Freddie Mercury Once Snuck Princess Diana Dressed in Drag into a Gay Club - Inside the Story
Princess Diana was not the typical royal, she had a few celebrity friends, and the legendary rock star Freddie Mercury made the list. He once snuck the Princess dressed in drag into a gay club. Here is the inside story.
Freddie Mercury was an iconic singer who created the rock band Queen. He did a lot of fantastic things during his prime and was loved by many.
Mercury used his artistic talent to design the band's royal crest, which represented some impressive details; he is also remembered as the man who built a stage for David Bowie and accidentally gave the Sex Pistols, another band, their break.
Diana Princess of Wales during a visit to Italy on April 28, 1985 | Photo: Getty Images
However, he was also a close friend to the "People's Princess," Diana. She was not one to keep to the conservative nature of the crown or royal; Princess Diana loved the spotlight and found some eccentricities interesting.
She often topped the news for one behavior or another but did not let that affect how she carried out her royal duties, making those at the grassroots level very comfortable with her.
Freddie Mercury at the Live Aid concert on July 13, 1985 in London, England | Photo: Getty Images
HER FRIENDSHIP WITH MERCURY
Diana and Mercury shared a close bond and enjoyed each other's company. In 2013, actress Cleo Rocos relayed an account of their friendship in her memoir.
Rocos was another close pal of the Princess, who explained that the royal wore a disguise to enter a gay club in London, thanks to her friend, Mercury!
They were all enjoying the evening when Diana asked if there were further plans. They announced that they would visit the Royal Vauxhall Tavern, a gay club, and surprisingly, she became interested.
Portrait of Freddie Mercury for Japanese music magazine 'Music Life', Tokyo, Japan , 1985 | Photo: Getty Images
Mercury was in support and insisted her mischief should be allowed, despite another friend, Kenny Everett's plea to keep her away from a horrible headline.
They planned to disguise the royal in sunglasses, an army jacket, and a cap before stepping out. While the group appeared worried about an eventful discovery at the venue, nobody noticed her. She enjoyed her time to the fullest and soon began campaigning for the LGBTQ community.
Princess Diana at the Serpentine Gallery In London on June 29, 1994 | Photo: Getty Images
Sadly, these two happy friends did not live a full life. Mercury passed away in 1991, after a decline in his health following his AIDS diagnosis in 1987.
His buddy, Diana, was involved in creating awareness, enlightening people, and funding research related to HIV/AIDS to kick against stigmatization. Sadly, by 1997, she died in France after a car crash that involved her partner, Dodi Fayed, and driver, Henri Paul.
Princess Diana dances with John Travolta in Cross Hall at the White House during an official dinner on November 9, 1985 in Washington, DC | Photo: Getty Images
CELEBRITIES WHO BEFRIENDED DIANA
Mercury was not the only man she shared her time with, a few famous faces ranging from movie stars like John Travolta to singers like George Michael, David Bowie, and Elton John were also on the Princess Diana list of friends.
These men all made glorious remarks about her. Although her friendship with Mercury was not captured in public, the media knew about her likeness to entertainers, as she loved music.