Many of us remember getting up in what felt like the middle of the night in July 1981 to watch the union of Prince Charles and Lady Diana Spencer. Expectations were beyond measure, the streets of London packed with people, and the pomp and circumstance broadcasted around the world. But when Diana stepped out of the glass coach carrying her and her father to St. Paul’s Cathedral, expectations were immediately exceeded, and every little girl had a new vision of their future wedding dress.
The train, the veil, the delicate lace … It was amazing.
This summer, Princess Diana’s wedding dress will be on display for everyone to view at Kensington Palace in London. It’s being loaned by her sons, Prince William and Prince Harry, in order to be part of the Royal Style in the Making exhibit. The exhibition is focusing on the relationship between fashion designers and the royals. Designers David and Elizabeth Emanuel were the creative geniuses behind Princess Diana’s gown.
Also on display, the toile used to design The Queen Mother’s 1937 coronation gown. The exhibition opens June 3rd and will run through January 2nd, 2022. Tickets are required.
While the dress hasn’t been on display at Kensington Palace in 25 years, some may remember when her dress was part of an exhibit that toured the United States in 2011. Diana – A Celebration looked at the princess’s entire life from her childhood through her royal life and charity work, but the main attraction was her beautiful wedding dress. Having seen it in person when the exhibit stopped in Kansas City, I can say first-hand, it was worth the drive across the state of Missouri to see it, especially the jaw-dropping train, and it may be worth a trip across the pond as well.
This summer would have been Princess Diana’s 60th birthday. Prince William and Prince Harry will unveil a statue of their mother to honor her. It will be located in the Sunken Garden at Kensington Palace, where Princess Diana lived. The Princes have said they want the statue to “recognize her positive impact in the U.K. and around the world.” During her life, Princess Diana brought attention to important issues such as humanizing those who have HIV and AIDS and working to rid the world of landmines by famously walking through a field in Angola.
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