The Crown: Season 5, a Netflix royal drama starring Imelda Staunton as Queen Elizabeth and Elizabeth Debicki as Princess Diana, is back once again. The fifth installment of the Netflix royal drama follows the life and reign of Queen Elizabeth II. The show, released on November 9, traces the journey of the British monarch from her reign in 1947 through the early 21st century.
The new season covered the troublesome time faced by Queen Elizabeth and her family in the 1990s, including Princess Diana making an entrance in her silk black dress after Prince Charles admitted having an affair. The Iconic dress to this day is believed to have a hidden message from Princess Diana and showcased her suffocating emotions towards the Royal Family.
The Jaw-Dropping Revelation: Prince Charles admits to having an Affair
The ongoing tension between Prince Charles and Princess Diana hit a new high when the Prince of Wales confessed, in a nationally televised interview in 1994, that he had been disloyal in his marriage. The Crown season’s Episode 5 traces Prince Charles’s ITV documentary with Jonathan Dimbleby. In the interview, Charles claimed to be faithful to Diana until it became clear that the marriage had been irretrievably broken. After stating this, he confirmed having an affair with Camilla Parker Bowles.
Princess Diana wears The Revenge Dress
In 1994, amidst the shaking of the British Kingdom after the airing of Prince Charles’s bombshell revelations involving his infidelity, The Princess of Wales, without uttering a word, grabbed everyone’s attention by making a grand entrance at a Vanity Fair fundraiser in her “revenge” dress. Designed by Greek designer Christina Stambolian, the enchanting fitted, black evening attire worn by Diana surprised everyone present at the Fundraiser held at Serpentine Gallery in Kensington Gardens.
Regal in Black
Princess Diana’s choice of dress indeed came as a style shock for the usually buttoned-up member of the Royal Family. The dress is an off-shoulder, fitted, black dress with an asymmetrical hemline. The dress had a dreamy chiffon train that flowed flawlessly in the wind as the beloved Princess stridden past everyone fearlessly. The Princess of Wales for her nails went for a bright Red Enamel which was never seen before coming from her. Diana accessorized her ensemble with a stunning pearl necklace featuring a sapphire gifted to her by Queen Elizabeth. She completed her show-stopping look with a pair of silk Manolo heels.
The Precursor Of Revenge Dressing
According to the creator of the Dress, Christina Stambolian, princess Diana had bought the so-called ‘Revenge Dress’ way back in 1991 but had considered it to be too daring until Prince Charles’ shocking confession. Christina further referred to Princess Diana’s choice of black for the black swan Odile in Tchaikovsky’s ballet Swan Lake, saying that Diana chose not to play the scene like Odette, innocent in white. She played it like Odile. She claimed that she was clearly angry about the ongoing debacle in her marriage. She wanted to look like a million dollars, and hands down, she did it magnificently!
Timeless Significance
Praised as the progenitor of “Revenge Dressing,” the bold and elegant dress enclosed the act of reclaiming the narrative and was the ultimate modern example of revenge dressing. The chic black dress is analyzed and interpreted as part of Diana’s “couture of revenge” following the meltdown of her marriage to Prince Charles after years of displaying tinges of glamour hidden underneath royal integrity. Princess Diana, instead of recoiling in shame, made her appearance magnificently in the most strategic dress worn by a woman in modern times.
Donned in her black dress; Diana, without speaking a word, quickly made headlines, as she wanted the world to know that she deserved better and that she was moving on.
