A never-before-seen photograph recently revealed Princess Diana’s unseen “spare” wedding dress. Designed by Elizabeth Emanuel as a backup for Diana’s 1981 royal wedding, this pale ivory silk taffeta gown featured a similar style to the princess’ iconic original dress.
Emanuel shared the new photo with Hello! magazine, providing the first look at the physical unfinished dress. She created it secretly in case details leaked about Diana’s real wedding gown.
The spare dress included a v-neckline, quarter sleeves, embroidered scalloped trim, and a full ballgown skirt like the original. Tiny pearls embellished the bodice. It was never completed or worn, disappearing after the wedding.
Diana’s famous original gown was made of silk taffeta, antique lace, and 10,000 pearls. Its 25-foot train remains the longest ever worn by a royal bride. She chose designers David and Elizabeth Emanuel to create both wedding dresses.
While never used, the spare dress exemplified Diana’s style. She appreciated having a backup option in case of leaks, taking care to keep it hidden. The newly unveiled photo provides special insight into the secrecy around her wedding and the design process behind her iconic look.