Fashion and Film

Remembering Princess Diana: A New Documentary Puts Diana Back in the Spotlight

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The 20th anniversary of the death of Princess Diana is fast approaching.  Diana died on August 31, 1997 at the age of 36.  Her brother, Earl Spencer, eulogized her as the most “hunted woman”of the modern era.   Twenty years later, the hunt for Princess Diana continues.  New information continues to emerge from her sons, and those who knew her, about what Diana was really like.  But for the first time, a new documentary promises to tell Princess Diana’s story in her own words.  On August 14th, National Geographic will air  the  film DIANA: IN HER OWN WORDS.  The film is narrated by Diana, from a series of secret interviews she did in 1991.

princess diana off the shoulder perriwinkle dress

Princess Diana wearing an off the shoulder periwinkle blue dress

Princess Diana continues to fascinate for her beauty,  her fashions, but also her compassion and her many charitable works.  The documentary promises to cover all the many facets of Diana’s complex personality and her struggle to adjust to life as the beloved, Princess of Wales.  According to National Geographic, the new documentary covers her difficult marriage to Prince Charles, strained relationship with the Queen, battle with bulimia and unhappy childhood.  Yet, in spite of all of that, and being thrust into the spotlight as a teenager without any media training.

Princess Diana Klondike Dress

Princess Diana wears an 1880’s style Klondike dress and hat on a Royal Tour to Canada in 1983. This dress is now on display at Kensington Palace.  Who else but Diana could pull this off?

Since her death, I’ve seen various fashion exhibits of her clothing, and when you look at those clothes on a mannequin, one thing becomes very clear, many of  the dresses by themselves are quite unremarkable. It was the dresses on her that was made them remarkable.

Princess Diana, Princess of Wales in Scotland

Princess Diana, Princess of Wales, at the Braemar Highland Games on September 1982 in Scotland. (Photo courtesy of National Geographic Channel.)

To see a sneak preview of the documentary, watch the Diana in Her Own Words trailer from National Geographic.  I’ll be watching this documentary on August 14th on National Geographic, will you? I think Diana would be pleased to be heard.

 

 

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Since 2008, Mary Hall has been the author of The Recessionista Blog, which is read by thousands of regular readers in over 160 countries. An internationally recognized expert on the art of the living the good life for less, she has been a commentator on local, national, and international radio and TV shows. Her advice has been featured in over 2,000 media outlets, including The New York Times, Reuters, Life & Style magazine, ABC News, NBC News and now The Huffington Post, among many others.