Jeanna de Waal and Roe Hartrampf in Diana: The Musical.Photo: Diana On Broadway/Instagram
Like other Broadway shows, the fate ofDiana: The Musicalwas up in the air when the COVID-19 pandemic closed down theater in New York City for more than a year. But the show found a new life even before the musical resumes performances in November 2021: aHamilton-style stage-to-screen production filmed for Netflix.
Although the musical is based on the life ofPrincess Diana, ranging from courtingPrince Charlesto her death, there are of course some artistic liberties taken. So how much of the onstage story is based on real life — and how much is made up?
Did Camilla pick out a necklace for Princess Diana as a gift fromPrince Charleswhile they were dating?
Likely fiction. Much of the musical focuses on the love triangle between Princess Diana,Prince CharlesandCamilla Parker-Bowles, who later married Charles and became the Duchess of Cornwall. Although the musical accurately portraysPrince Charlesand Camilla’s affair during her marriage to Andrew Parker-Bowles, it’s not proven that Camilla picked out gifts for the Prince of Wales’s new love interest or “chose” her to be his wife.
Did Camilla really attendPrince Charlesand Diana’s royal wedding?
Yes. As the Commanding Officer of the Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment, Camilla’s husband had a significant role in the wedding procession, and she attended as a guest (and, of course, as a close friend ofPrince Charles).
DidPrince Charlesreally propose to Diana saying, “Whatever love means anyway”?
Probably not. However, the lyric doesn’t stray too far from somethingPrince Charlesuttered during his engagement interview with Princess Diana in 1981. After a journalist asked the newly engaged couple if they were in love, Diana responded, “Of course.” But Charles added, “Whatever ‘in love’ means.”
DidPrince Charleswant a daughter?
Did Princess Diana really call Camilla “the Rottweiler”?
Reportedly, yes. In the musical, Princess Diana refers to Camilla as the stereotypically aggressive dog breed. Simone Simmons, a friend of the late royal, has claimed Diana chose the unflattering nickname because “once she has got her teeth into someone she won’t let go.”
Did Princess Diana confront Camilla at a birthday party for Camilla’s sister?
Also fact, according to Diana. Just as in the musical, Princess Diana recounted to Morton for his book that she showed up unannounced to a 1989 birthday party for Camilla’s sister, Annabel Elliot. She confronted Camilla about the affair, to which Camilla asked what more she could want in addition to her two sons and public adoration. Diana is said to have replied, “I want my husband.”
Did Princess Diana make a last-minute decision to step out in the “revenge dress”?
“She decided that she was going to fight back, and she decided that she would chose a dress that she had previously rejected as being a little too much. And she would put that on and go out on the town,” said William Ivey Long, costume designer for theBroadway musical.
Did Princess Diana really wear those outfits?
Yes! Many of the costumes in the Princess Diana musical are recreations of the real-life royal’s outfits. From herblack sheep sweaterandengagement outfitto her"Travolta" dressand even hericonic wedding gown, costume designer William Ivey Long rarely strayed from Diana’s closet.
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Diana: The Musicalis now in previews on Broadway ahead of its official opening night on November 17.
source: people.com
