It is surreal to think that Diana, Princess of Wales would have turned 65 on 1 July. The late People's Princess touched the lives of so many, in her tragically short lifetime and beyond.
And so to celebrate her life and legacy, HELLO! hosted an exclusive event at the newly refurbished Ballroom of the Taj 51 Buckingham Gate Suites and Residences hotel in London – a majestic venue visited by Diana herself as well as other royals including the-then Prince Charles, the late Queen Elizabeth II, and Prince Philip.
The event featured a live recording of an episode of A Right Royal Podcast. In front of 70 of HELLO!'s most fervent Diana fans, our Royal Editor Emily Nash and Digital Content Director Andrea Caamano interviewed some of those who knew Diana best – author and editor-in-chief of Majesty magazine Ingrid Seward, who enjoyed "girly chats" at the palace with Diana, and fashion designer Jacques Azagury, who famously created some of the Princess' most daring dresses. We were also joined by investigative journalist Andy Webb, whose book Dianarama unpicks the scandal behind the 1995 Panorama broadcast.
Anecdotes about the late Diana
Our expert panel dug deep into who the real Diana was. As Ingrid explained: "My theory was she was a different person to different people on different days, which is why she remained so utterly fascinating. And she just really treated me like an old friend and she could be very indiscreet, which was wonderful. She was so many people rolled into one. She was like a chameleon. And she would just dive in and she'd tell you something absolutely outrageous."
Jacques, meanwhile, described Diana as the "least Princessy" client he ever had, and how he would often have to deny her requests for even shorter hemlines or exposed navels. The designer revealed why he loved dressing Diana in black – a freedom afforded to her in her post-royal style evolution.
Jacques was one of those privileged enough to be invited to Diana's funeral and shared heartbreaking details from the sombre day. "I was a bit anxious and nervous," he admitted. "But I was okay, until the coffin came in. And then I completely broke."
In the wide-ranging interview, our audience also learnt about Diana as a mother. "She was criticised for sometimes being a smother rather than a mother," Ingrid recalled, while also revealing the worst fight Diana had with her eldest son Prince William and the cause of it. Ingrid also recounted Diana's real feelings about her divorce from Prince Charles, and the heartbreaking request their younger son Prince Harry made as a child.
The second half of the recording saw Andy Webb join the stage. Andy, who spent nearly two decades researching and pursuing the truth behind the 1995 Panorama interview, outlined Diana's fears and justified paranoia in her later years. "Chances are, Diana would be alive today," Andy said, had the BBC decided to unveil their interviewer Martin Bashir as a fraudster.
Afternoon tea, Diana's dress, and a luxury goodie bag
Between recordings, our guests sat down to the Taj's delectable Midsummer Night's Dream afternoon tea – a feast for both the eyes and the senses – and treated to a myriad of cakes, sweet treats, scones, and sandwiches.
There were also photo opportunities aplenty with Princess Diana's daring dress by Victor Edelstein, which she first wore in 1989 amid rumours of her marriage troubles. The iconic dress was auctioned at Christie's in New York in 1997, just two months before Diana's death, and was acquired by Eduardo Sánchez Junco, founder and director of HELLO! magazine and Director of ¡HOLA!, and a friend of Princess Diana.
Guests went home with a goodie bag, including Weleda Skin Food Original cream, Bronnley Lime soaps, ilapothecary Supreme Silk Face Cream, Dr. LEVY Switzerland skincare cream, and Michael Van Clarke haircare products.
How to watch the podcast
If you missed out on this event but would like to listen to the podcast recording and experience it as if you were in the room with us, sign up to HELLO! VIP. As a member, you will have access to this interview and be the first to hear about future events.
Here's a ten-minute teaser to whet your appetite:
