The 20^th anniversary of the car crash which killed Diana, Princess of Wales on August 31^st  has prompted multiple TV networks to commemorate her death and celebrate her life. From fairy tale to tragedy, Princess Diana’s life unfolded on the world stage. From the moment she stepped from the royal carriage, radiant in her enchanting wedding gown, she became the world’s fairy-tale princess. Now she has also become a world icon.

 During the years following her marriage to Prince Charles, the beautiful Diana became the most photographed woman in the world and a celebrated fashion icon. She commissioned elegant evening gowns from leading designers and modeled them at gala occasions all over the world. Famously Diana captured America’s hearts when she swirled around the dance floor in an ink-blue silk velvet dress with John Travolta.

Diana’s timeless elegance was captured in beautiful limited edition figurines by Royal Doulton, designer, Tim Potts. He portrayed the Princess in a stunning midnight blue velvet gown by Victor Edelston and also a pastel blue evening dress, which emphasized her slim silhouette. As always the Princess dazzles us with her elegance and poise. 

Royal Doulton artists first portrayed the Princess of Wales as a blushing bride, wearing the fabulous wedding gown designed by the Emanuels. This beautiful figurine was modeled by Art Director Eric Griffiths, while he watched the royal wedding on TV. The edition of 1,500 sold out within weeks of its launch in July 1981 and the price has rocketed in recent years. Another early Royal Doulton portrait of the Princess shows her as Lady Diana Spencer on the eve of her engagement. She wears a demure blue and white spotted dress, which was also chosen for her first portrait at Madame Tussaud’s wax museum in London. 

HRH The Princess of Wales HN2887

Modeled by Eric Griffiths

1981, Limited edition of 1,500

Lady Diana Spencer HN2885

Modeled by Eric Griffiths

1982, Limited edition of 1,500

Princess Diana visited the Royal Doulton pottery in Stoke-on-Trent on April 5^th, 1984 which was a red-letter day for the company’s workforce. The Princess watched figurines being made and even tried making one herself. As she cast the liquid clay into the moulds, she said it was ‘just like pouring gravy’. I also had the good fortune to meet the Princess the year before when she visited the Royal Doulton stand at the National Exhibition Center. 

As Princess Diana grew accustomed to the limelight, she learned how to use her celebrity to benefit worthy causes. In 1997, she had 79 of her dresses auctioned to raise money for the humanitarian causes that she supported – children’s charities, cancer research, AIDS victims and the removal of land mines in war torn countries. Diana’s warmth and compassion in her efforts to help the poor and the sick earned her universal respect.

Diana has proved that she still has a special place in our hearts twenty years after her tragic death. With tears, flowers and prayers, the world mourned the ‘People’s Princess’ after the terrible car accident in August 1997 and her continuing allure will ensure that millions are glued to their TV screens to watch all the special programs. One of the most poignant is Diana our Mother: Her Life and Legacy in which Princes William and Harry speak publicly about their mother for the first time and share memories of their childhood together. To mark the 20^th anniversary, Royal Doulton designer Neil Welch has recreated a happy scene of a loving mother with her young sons in the garden at Highgrove House in 1988. 

Remembering Diana: A Loving Mother

Modeled by Neil Welch

2017, Limited edition of 2,000