Royal News and Views

Royal News and Views
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A question about photo of Diana

Posted by Carolyn on December 21, 2023, 12:30 pm

A few days ago there was a story about an old photo of Diana that sold for big bucks. It was taken at her sister Jane's wedding. It said the wedding took place in Westminster Abbey. However, James Whitaker wrote in his book about Diana and Charles that he first met her outside the Guard's Chapel near Buckingham Palace after Jane's marriage to Robert Fellowes. Not that it really matters, but which is correct? I can't imagine Jane having a big fancy wedding at Westminster with only Diana as a bridesmaid.

Re: A question about photo of Diana

Posted by Susan T on December 21, 2023, 1:17 pm, in reply to "A question about photo of Diana"

The wedding was at the Abbey. The photo sold at auction was of Diana, her brother Charles, her sister Sarah, and her mother Frances. It was a Spencer family photo, so no reason for other bridesmaids to be included in the photo.

I don't think any photo of the entire wedding party has ever been shared with the public. So no way of knowing just how many unfortunate women were stuck wearing that cheesy-looking bridesmaid dress.

Re: A question about photo of Diana

Posted by Hollie24 on December 21, 2023, 2:05 pm, in reply to "Re: A question about photo of Diana"

That dress was the height of Gunne Sax/Jessica McClintock/Laura Ashley 1970s fashion. I had a similar dress in the 8th grade. Now the originals are in demand as "vintage cottage core" fashion. Personally I'm not about to revisit my 14 year-old self's sense of style.

I've seen a few other photos of the wedding, but none of the whole family together. I do know that Diana was the chief bridesmaid and there were two flower girls. And Diana's dress pales in comparison to what Frances wore, which was just downright hideous.

Re: A question about photo of Diana

Posted by Karen on December 21, 2023, 1:28 pm, in reply to "A question about photo of Diana"

On 20 April 1978, Lady Jane Spencer married Robert Fellowes, then assistant private secretary to the Queen. The ceremony was at Westminster Abbey and the reception was held at St. James' Palace. She also wore the Spencer Tiara.

Re: A question about photo of Diana

Posted by Carolyn on December 21, 2023, 1:49 pm, in reply to "Re: A question about photo of Diana"

Karen, I've seen that photo before, but can't remember where.

I was looking in Sarah Bradford's "Diana". She wrote that the wedding was in the Guard's Chapel, Wellington Barracks. Robert had served as a member of the Scots Guards. The reception was held at St. James Palace.

The Queen Mother arrived with Ruth Fermoy, Jane's grandmother. The Duchess of Kent and the Gloucesters were also there.

Interesting no matter where it was.

Re: A question about photo of Diana

Posted by Candace on December 21, 2023, 2:53 pm, in reply to "Re: A question about photo of Diana"

I've always read that not just anyone can be married at Westminster Abbey. There are supposedly certain requirements for a marriage to take place there. Did they have to have Her Late Majesty's permission to marry there? Since he was Her Majesty's secretary I suppose it would have been easy to get.

Re: A question about photo of Diana

Posted by Cynthia on December 21, 2023, 4:28 pm, in reply to "Re: A question about photo of Diana"

Their parents were married there too. Apparently, you can get married in the Abbey if: "you are a member of England’s royal family, members of the Order of the Bath (and their children) or anyone who actually lives in the Abbey’s precincts."

Otherwise, you can settle for St. Margaret's Westminster, which is in the grounds of the Abbey. Lord Louis Mountbatten was married at St. Margaret's, which is considered quite the Society church for weddings.

Re: A question about photo of Diana

Posted by karenl on December 21, 2023, 7:20 pm, in reply to "Re: A question about photo of Diana"

From the photos Karen and Susan provided, Jane and Robert were married at the Abbey and the photo Susan provided looks like it was taken outside the Guard's Chapel where the reception took place.
The problem with the "facts" is that you had Whitaker, Sarah Bradford, Kitty Kelly, Robert Lacey plus a ton of other authors writing books about Diana, her life, her family and there were so many different versions of what happened where.
The bridesmaid dress was not great, but as Hollie pointed out, it was the late 70's, going into the 80's which was not great for fashion. The dress made Diana look even younger than she was. It was bad.

Re: A question about photo of Diana

Posted by Carolyn on December 22, 2023, 12:36 pm, in reply to "Re: A question about photo of Diana"

I believe James Whitaker's version as he was a respected reporter. He was already covering the Royal family. Diana was not known to him. As time went on he with photographer Arthur Edwards shadowed Diana and soon made her famous.

I did not get a computer and go on-line until 1988. Of course, I watched the wedding on TV, but wasn't really interested in Diana or Charles.

Another photo

Posted by Susan T on December 21, 2023, 2:01 pm, in reply to "A question about photo of Diana"

n/t

Link: Lady Jane's wedding

Re: Another photo

Posted by Susan T on December 21, 2023, 2:08 pm, in reply to "Another photo"

Wiki says they married at the Abbey, Getty photos says this photo was taken outside the Guards Chapel.

Dress is still ugly regardless of where the wedding took place.

Link: Getty Photos

Re: Another photo

Posted by Carolyn on December 21, 2023, 3:06 pm, in reply to "Re: Another photo"

What started all of this is my re-reading James Whitaker's account of his first meeting with Diana. He says the wedding was at the chapel.

I used to read his column in the Mirror and other places and really enjoyed it. It's too bad he died so young.

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