Written by Leah Dolan, DailyExpertNews
A new exhibition opening Friday at London’s Kensington Palace will debut a portrait of Princess Diana never seen before by the public.
The image was taken in 1988 by fashion photographer David Bailey and was originally commissioned by the National Portrait Gallery, but has survived in Bailey’s archives to this day. The stripped-down, black-and-white image shows an elegant 27-year-old Diana gazing into the distance, wearing a satin off-the-shoulder dress and a pair of teardrop earrings.
Bailey, who has photographed a number of cultural icons, including Andy Warhol, Twiggy and The Beatles, was selected by Diana for his high-contrast lighting and minimalist style. According to a press release from Historic Royal Palaces, the British charity charged with managing six palaces in the United Kingdom, “reflected its choice to establish a new photographic identity for itself,” distinct from the more established forms of royal portraits. Now unveiled after 34 years, the statue bolsters her public reputation as one of the most progressive members of the British Royal Family.
The portrait was taken by renowned fashion photographer David Bailey. Credit: © David Bailey
The unveiling of the rare photo comes at a time when pop culture is particularly captivated by “the People’s Princess,” who died in 1997 at the age of 37. In 2021, Emma Corrin won a Golden Globe Award for her portrayal of the Princess of Wales in the Netflix series “The Crown”, while Broadway performed “Diana: The Musical”. This year Kirsten Stewart was nominated for an Oscar for her portrayal of Diana in Pablo Larraín’s ‘Spencer’.
The remainder of the exhibition, entitled “A Life Through A Royal Lens”, will showcase a series of works exploring the relationship between photography and the monarchy. It includes photos taken during royal tours and iconic portraits of heads of state, as well as off-duty moments away from the public eye. Also on display for the first time is a selection of photos taken by members of the royal family themselves.
“The medium (photography) has shaped how the world sees the British monarchy,” said Claudia Acott Williams, curator at Historic Royal Palaces, in a press release. “It has enabled the royal family to provide fascinating insights into their lives and work, transforming the royal image and creating an unprecedented relationship between crown and subjects.”
Top image: David Bailey’s portrait hung in Kensington Palace, courtesy of Historic Royal Palaces.