written by Leah Dolan, CNN
A new exhibition opening Friday at London’s Kensington Palace will debut a portrait of Princess Diana the public has never seen.
taken by fashion photographer
David Bailey In 1988, the image was originally commissioned by the National Portrait Gallery, but remains in Bailey’s collection until now. The stripped-back, black-and-white image shows a beautiful 27-year-old Diana staring from afar, wearing a satin off-the-shoulder gown and a pair of teardrop earrings.
Bailey, who has photographed many cultural icons including Andy Warhol, Twiggy and The Beatles, was chosen by Diana for her high-contrast lighting and minimalist style. His choice “reflects his desire to establish a new photographic identity for himself,” as distinct from more established forms of royal portraiture, according to a news release from the historic Royal Palace, the British charity undertaking to run six of the United Kingdom’s palaces. assigned the task. After 34 years now revealed, the image further cemented his public reputation as one of the most
Fashion-Forward Members of the British Royal Family,
This picture was taken by famous fashion photographer David Bailey. Credit: © David Bailey
The rare photo’s unveiling comes at a time when pop culture is particularly fascinated by the “People’s Princess,” who died in 1997 at the age of 37. In 2021, Emma Corinne won a Golden Globe Award for her portrayal of the Princess of Wales. Netflix series “The Crown”, while Broadway staged “Diana: The Musical”. This year, Kirsten Stewart was nominated for an Oscar for her
Portrait of Diana in Pablo Lahren’s “Spencer”. The rest of the exhibition, titled “A Life Through a Royal Lens,” will display a series of works exploring the relationship between photography and the monarchy. This includes photographs taken on royal tours and iconic portraits of heads of state, as well as moments away from the public eye. Apart from this, for the first time, the show features a selection of images taken by members of the royal family themselves.
“The medium (of photography) has shaped how the world views the British monarchy,” Claudia Accott Williams, curator of the historic Royal Palaces, said in a news release. “It has allowed the Royal Family to provide fascinating insights into their life and work, transforming the royal image and creating an unprecedented connection between the Crown and the subjects.”
Top image: The portrait of David Bailey hangs at Kensington Palace, courtesy of Historic Royal Palaces.
