King Charles’ 6-Word Clapback Left Princess Diana Dumbstruck During Daring Dress Moment
Although connected to the royal family for most of her young life as the daughter of an Earl, Princess Diana was unprepared for life within its walls when she became engaged to then-Prince Charles. Therefore, she was dumbstruck when Charles criticized one of her most daring dress moments with a six-word clapback.
Charles had some unkind words for Princess Diana
It was shortly after eligible royal bachelor Prince Charles announced his engagement to Lady Diana Spencer in February 1981 that the couple had their first official outing. The couple was set to be married that summer, and Diana had already moved into Buckingham Palace. Therefore, it was time for them to make their public debut as engaged couples.
Before the event, which would place Diana front and center as she accompanied Charles to a charity recital at Goldsmiths’ Hall in London, she maintained a smart and sweet style of conservative looks in bright colors. When she visited David and Elizabeth Emmanuel’s dress shop, she fell in love with a daring black ballgown.
“She fell in love with it and didn’t care that someone else had already worn it to a charity ’do,” said Elizabeth to Vogue UK of the creation. “We didn’t even consider whether the dress was right for the occasion. We just thought she looked fabulous.”
However, Prince Charles wasn’t a fan of the look. Perhaps he was too stuck on royal tradition or realized that Diana’s look would distract from him.
Thus, instead of supporting Diana’s fashion choice, he responded with a six-word clapback instead of praise, which left her dumbstruck. “Only people in mourning wear black,” he said, as per Express.
Diana’s black dress caused a sensation and her first authentic style moment
When she exited a car alongside Prince Charles to enter the charity event, Princess Diana’s black taffeta dress caused a sensation. It wasn’t the color, as many people outside the royal family wore black to evening events.
Instead, the shoulder-exposing and form-fitting silhouette caught the eye of photographers and royal watchers. Diana, at just 19, looked lovely and age-appropriate.
She was criticized for the amount of skin the dress showed. Diana was also chastised for showing off her décolletage, a no-no in royal circles.
Elizabeth Emmanuel told Vogue of Diana’s shoulder-baring look, “We hadn’t thought about what would happen when Diana got out of the car and leaned over. We were so naive.”
She continued, “There was so much press on Diana that they had to postpone the budget announcement until the next day. Life seemed to stop because of that dress.”
The Emmanuel’s were commissioned to make Diana’s wedding dress. The equally iconic look would go on to inspire royal brides for decades after that.
The royal family typically didn’t wear black except for funerals
According to royal tradition, House of Windsor members only wear black during funerals. “Generally, it is thought that black is not usually worn unless in mourning, although Diana Princess of Wales did occasionally wear it for evening functions,” said Alexandra Messervy, founder of The English Manner (a famous London-based finishing school) as reported by CBS News.
Ironically, the royal family must always have a black outfit on hand when they are on a trip. This is in case they have to attend a last-minute funeral or a family member dies while they are away.
Princess Diana relied on black dresses throughout the remainder of her time as a royal family member. They lent an air of elegance to whatever evening events she attended.
