Few were better at capturing Diana’s illustrious beauty than Sir Snowdon, as shown in this photo of the princess who resurfaced before the 25th anniversary of her tragic death. RICHARD KAY writes
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Long before the world’s photographers discovered Mrs. Diana Spencer, she was already showing a very natural calm in front of the camera.
For several years, she was better at capturing her illustrious beauty than Sir Snowdon, a social photographer and ex-husband of Queen Margaret’s sister.
The images he took were some of the most iconic and memorable Diana ever taken.
But this long-forgotten portrait was rarely seen. The 25th anniversary of the princess’s tragic death was approaching, and five years after Snowdon himself died, it resurfaced.
Long before world photographers discovered Mrs. Diana Spencer, she was already showing a very natural calm in front of the camera.
There are also invisible shots of Prince William. Indeed, the solemn, unsmiling appearance of sitting in an oversized oak chair and hugging his pet rabbit is little like William. He was nine years old when the reality of his parents’ unsuccessful marriage must have been clear when the picture was taken.
How was the royal story different when this photo of 19-year-old Diana was taken? What an amazing memory of a young woman who fascinated Prince Charles in the summer of 1980.
Their relationship was only two months long before the engagement story was aired, let alone married. Snowdon was commissioned by Vogue to capture the exquisite charm of the girl who was supposed to change the royal family forever.
Seeing it today, you’ll be amazed by the mysterious choices of The Crown maker and Emma Corrin, a look-alike actress who plays Ingénue’s Diana in the fourth season of the Netflix series.
There are also invisible shots of Prince William. Indeed, the solemn, unsmiling appearance of sitting in an oversized oak chair and hugging his pet rabbit is little like William.
Looking at it today, you’ll be amazed at the mystery chosen by The Crown maker and the look-alike actress Emma Corrin to play Ingénue’s Diana in the fourth season of the Netflix series.
Diana, who should have turned 61 yesterday, wasn’t yet the pin-up to become the most photographed woman in the world. Instead, she shows her fragile elegance and the dazzling effect of her gaze is uncertain. Her complexion is pink and her sharp blue eyes are not hidden by her trademark fringe and its “Shy Di” nickname.
And is it a hint of a smile on her face that noticed the big secret she had? The world may not have known it yet, but the romance with Charles was moving at a great pace before it was fully released in September 1980. They got married the following July.
Snowdon was supposed to take more pictures of Diana, but no one took them when she was so happy that she was here.