Princess Diana's Secret Backup Wedding Dress, Revealed By The Designer | PEOPLE

[@shannonm.4087]

I love the second dress- but her dress was perfect for that moment in time. look at the pic of her going up the stairs and looking back- it was stunning! and everyone knows that dress- i dont think the spare dress would have had the same impact.

[@suzanneogrady3482]

I agree! I watched her wedding on tv, she was so beautiful!

[@spiritmatter1553]

@@suzanneogrady3482 I woke up early to watch, too,and the sight of her glittering veil, tiara and dress was unforgettable. All wedding dresses should have some bling, imo.

[@CaroleGreen-v6d]

Her dress was awful, so overdone!

[@s.gonzalez2914]

Diana… I’m 52 and she was the princess of every little girl in the world. A walking dream in her wedding dress. And I think the same can be said about Princess Catherine. I pray she gets better soon. We need the sight of beauty.

[@cbojorquez]

Diana was gracious enough to appoint David and Elizabeth Emmanuel, two young, independent designers, the making of her wedding dress instead of choosing a major designing house. I somehow like the spare dress more than the original.

[@tessdurberville711]

Foolish enough. She so enjoyed picking people outside of the inner circle. Designers, staff, playmates. She always chose wrong.

[@nicolad8822]

The major houses would have done a better job.

[@amysill3815]

Everyone in these comments is so unnecessarily mean.

[@mobstercrow7515]

@@amysill3815 They are jelly.

[@signespencer6887]

I actually like the back-up dress better- simpler lines, no so overblown

[@annied3276]

I absolutely LOVE that dress for Diana! It would have been so much nicer on her than the main one. If only she were still alive today and could try this one on. It would have been so pretty on her.

[@carlaharris9645]

I agree. The original was, to me, ill fitted at the top and had too many bows.

[@Initiallyleo]

It would have been cool if the designers had gifted her with the spare dress after the wedding.

[@spiritmatter1553]

ADORE the second dress, wish she’d worn that one down the aisle.

[@zillafanz]

It’s more beautiful than the other.

[@carmenbyrne6521]

The back up dress is absolutely stunning, however, Diana's wedding dress was perfectly proportioned for her height, for the Abbey, and could not have been less voluminous, because she would have got lost in the surroundings. The long veil/train was exactly what was needed, for the walk up the steps, and along the aisle, it made a brilliant statement and, as can be seen, made quite an impression on so many people. Congratulations to all involved in the creation of such an iconic dress.

[@JenMaram63]

The dress she wore on the day was absolutely perfect for that period in time and reflected the fashion at the time. She was so young. It will always be iconically Dianas.

[@mabella3437]

So thoughtful of Princess Diana to go with YOU as opposed to a big popular designer ! She was ALWAYS thinking about The Average Hard Working People ! God bless her Soul !

[@jena.alexia]

For someone who was born into privilege and British aristocracy, Diana's desire to understand the plight and lives of average, everyday people was commendable. She truly was the People's Princess. ❤

[@tessdurberville711]

​@@jena.alexia Covert Narcissists always play to the peasants. Evita did it too,standing on her balcony dressed in designer clothes, jewels and furs. Amazing that people still fall for these phonies.

[@cw5451]

@@tessdurberville711Rude

[@nicolad8822]

The dress was awful.

[@Xiroi87]

Diana proved she had empathy and made her children fell loved, narcissists don't even know what that is. And you're comparing her to Evita?

[@imari2305]

Princess Diana and then Prince Charles was the very first royal wedding I'd ever seen in my life on TV. From the moment I saw her dress I loved it and still do. Many people have disliked the style and design but they forget the dress wasn't made for them it was made for Princess Diana who chose you and your team to make it for her. Thank goodness the backup wasn't needed; it doesn't have the same wow factor as the first dress albeit lovely. Thank you for being a part of her story and making history. I'm excited to see your reimagined take on your original design 43 years later.

[@valeriaspatuzzi3823]

The back up dress Is way more stunning than the original One, wich swallowed her up completely

[@mobstercrow7515]

Since she was becoming a princess she most likely had to be modest, the frills on the neckline added a sense of modesty since they covered her up, they also added more depth and volume. Since she was going to be seen by people far and wide, the dress had to be HUGE and extravagant. The frills and petticoats added to the sense of "princess". When we think of a princess we picture large poofy dresses, she wore exactly that. It was big and it showed a statement, it was elegant and the perfect amount of sexy. Sexy, but not too sexy. Modest, but not too modest. It showed the perfect amount of her body. It wasn't overbearing.

[@voulathomacos-lagonas8445]

Every woman's wedding dress is special ....this dress was MAGNIFICENT ❤

[@janemurdock6988]

❤🎉 You are brilliant. The dress took my breath away when Di climbed out of the carriage. YOU are one in a billion million!

[@briannastultz1468]

The spare is beautiful.

[@Aprilsraven629]

That book is priceless as is her memories...I do hope she donates it and an audio tape to a museum, Diana the Queens of Hearts is an icon and her memory must be preserved for all....and who cares about the Monarchy and there thoughts we loved her

[@racheljustrachel2732]

She was soo beautiful in her wedding dress. We will never ever probably have a royal wedding that grand ever again.

[@adriananoelle4699]

The spare gown is absolutely gorgeous.

[@Colourednexotic]

hats off to this beautiful woman to guide our queen diana from day dot ! . that engagement dress is iconic till today ! what a journey ms emmanuel salute you darling

[@greeneyedmonster7806]

I remember sitting and watching the wedding when i was 6 years old. It was like a dream. She was so beautiful and princess-like. The ultimate little girl's wedding fantasy. My wedding dress did look a lot like Diana's.

[@fairenough7984]

She is adorable!! I like that she will reimagine the dress in the light of current times. I'm interested in seeing the result, and this should be made a documentary for future generations.

[@brandywineblogger1411]

I love "the spare" so much more. Never liked the first even when she wore it. Princess Diana was so thin and fine -featured and the primary wedding dress totally overwhelmed her. And then the thousands of wrinkles!!! A nightmare! But she was marrying the future king and the Emanuels had to do what she wanted. She was a tragic child from the onset.

[@thevenusian1314]

I wasn't even born in 1981, but I've been in love with that gorgeous dress ever since I saw it. I even purchased the book about its creation.

[@theworldofjuniperthecat1307]

I love the spare dress. Gorgeous 😊

[@judypasqualone3819]

I love the spare dress.

[@mimib95]

Every bride should go with her instincts and choose the dress that she loves just as Diana did

[@Mrspjb-bw1ks]

The spare dress was stunning. It's much more attractive than the dress she wore.

[@paulinedrewery3759]

I agree, I didn't like her wedding dress at all, far too much and over the top.I think Kate's dress was the nicest of all the royals, absolutely beautiful.

[@windycityliz7711]

Much more classic in design; it would still be timely today. I love this dress.

[@pilotgal6191]

Agree!!!

[@timothyj1966]

@@paulinedrewery3759 no way.... St. Pauls called for something DRAMATIC

[@sandisteinberg731]

Especially the fitted sleeves.

[@hesabutton6899]

I know Im looking at this nearly half a century later, and fashion changes. but leaving the neck ruffle off would have been a game changer ❤❤❤

[@gwendixon74]

agree even for the 80s it was a lot

[@bevwilkinson2853]

Yes, it looked very elegant without the ruffle

[@cisio64123]

I thought the same thing when I saw it .

[@plan4life]

The ruffle could have been smaller like in v.2 but the puffy sleeves were over the top.

[@KarenGutzwiller]

What a great video. We all were so mesmerized by Princess Diana. She was such a huge part of our lives back then and I remember getting up at 2:00am so we could watch the wedding live on TV. I loved her dress. It was perfect for the time and she looked so beautiful in it. I love seeing the 'back-up' dress that we never new about before. Such a nice tidbit of history for us. I look forward to how you will 're-do- the actual dress and give us your take on it today. Thank you for sharing this with us. Love it!!

[@Initiallyleo]

I’m so glad I’m not the only one who likes the spare dress better. Not that people didn’t love the dress Diana wore, but this one felt a lot more classic, and it would have aged better in photos, as Diana’s dress was, as so many people say, quintessentially 80s; while the spare is certainly old-school, it’s in a way that feels more…intentional, like a bride getting married at a historic property today might choose something like that to fit the location and it would work.

[@boticelli9957]

Luv the second one ..imo .the sleeves on the original one were imo a bit too large ..

[@LAnderson-gj7pe]

The original dress is the ugliest one ever and did not fit. Second one not much better.

[@sa1lmaa]

@@LAnderson-gj7pelets see u do better 😂

[@doberman1ism]

The wedding dress is magnificent in person. All of the beautiful beadwork and detail is so stunning.

[@nyancatnatalie]

I like this better than the original dress.

[@TheLillipuss]

Thank you for giving her joy & a new dimension for her to enjoy in her short life ❤

[@carolflynn7933]

❤Diana ❤ One in a BILLION ❤

[@Metronoma1]

I love both dresses!! ❤️ 80s extravaganza!!🙌🙌😀

[@skyemaclachlan5182]

Thank you for sharing these beautiful memories with us! Her wedding dress was gorgeous and unforgettable.

[@shawroberts5149]

Lovely item, much preferable to the original.

[@jeannerogers7085]

Backup dress was way better than the massive pile of puffery worn at the wedding.

[@zzzbbbooo]

It was appropriate for the grandeur of the occasion and Diana's extreme youth.

[@worldsokayestflightattendant]

Your crazy 😂 Her dress was Beautiful

[@timothyj1966]

ICONIC DRESS

[@ginettesos]

Diana did say much later that had she been getting married then (late 80s) she would have chosen a completely different style. It probably would have been closer to the sleek close fitting styles of today - like her ‘Elvis’ dress perhaps. However that very romantic design was very much of the time and suited the fairy tale princess vibe. The train was very OTT I thought, never a fan of them and ideally a few less frills. And yes, that second dress IS stunning.

[@rhyfelwrDuw]

I prefer the second dress! For the time the first one was stunning though!

[@louiseking9726]

The spare was lovely but the dress Diana wore on the day was iconic and I’m not sure the second dress had that level of impact about it, as beautiful as it looks. So for me the original still wins out.

[@ReneeandJimmyG]

Wow!!! The spare dress was so much nicer then the one she wore!

[@Catmom4bb]

I think her dress was too overwhelming on her. Not only that, it was a wrinkled mess. I would hope a designer would realize how certain fabrics hold up when you are sitting. When she came out of the carriage it was awful. The spare was prettier.

[@susanyoung5447]

Exactly. Taffeta on that dress with a carriage ride before the ceremony.

[@jemauyong]

She lost all that weight only to have her new model skinny figure swamped under layers and ruffles and poufs of flabby wrinkly crinkly taffeta 🤣. The irony! Also, that dress needed an ironing.

[@BlueSaphire70]

Oh, my goodness! The spare dress is 100 times prettier than the dress she wore! Not only that, but it has aged better. I especially like the skirt treatment. Anyone could wear that dress today and look great! 😊

[@makenziehackett]

Pretty, I would wear that in heartbeat 🥰

[@Jude74]

I like the spare better.

[@YmustTh3w0rldG0r0und]

The back up dress was better than the one they had her go in.

[@swimnwfishes]

Oh thank goodness I’m not the only one who thinks that. The original dress is a hot mess.

[@medcop2001]

The original dress was/is iconic. It was flawless for it's time. Tastes and trends change over time. For 1981, this was very chic. More was more back then. It's too much now because everything is streamlined and less is more. Plus you have personal taste. Diana was a newbie to fashion at the time and her taste changed over time.

[@lilibetp]

​@@medcop2001except it was very wrinkled, unfortunately.

[@apebass2215]

​@@lilibetp that's the problem with making a large silk taffeta dress and then bundling it into a carriage before a ceremony.

[@lydiapicano8806]

Yes, they should've shown her the dress and given her the option.

[@amysill3815]

Diana looked stunning in her dress. I love both dresses.

[@mabella3437]

Our Queen of Heart Diana & I were born in 1961 . Princess Diana was the BEST that EVER happen to the cold hearted Royal Family ! I am obsessed with wedding gowns ! You & your ex Takes The Cake with creating Extraordinary Pieces !!!! A Natural Born Talent !!!! Thanks be to God !!!! I NEVER knew about the Hot Pink Gown she wore !!!! How exciting & a Stunning Creation may I add !!!! Love Peace & Faith to all the viewers ! ps I Adore the secret spare dress too EXTRAORDINARY !!!!

[@DamarisBurgos-o4w]

Beautiful wedding dress 😍

[@sapphire5559]

I’m sorry, but princess Diana‘s wedding dress was a monstrosity! Why would dressmaker put a princess in Taffeta so that it looks like neither of them have ever heard of the invention of the iron? After being smashed into a carriage, she got out looking like a wrinkled mess! Shame on you for choosing that fabric!

[@kathymcfarland5516]

The designers said they tried to explain about fabric to the bride. The bride insisted. That's what we saw. It was solely the bride's choice. And I totally agree with you about the finished product! You did not see a bride, you saw a DRESS!

[@Thepublicaccount]

Most designers do tell brides not to use something but once they get a vision in their head, you’re not taking it out no matter what

[@donnaboulware580]

I would have preferred the second dress

[@MrLookitspam]

Back up dress was prettier

[@marclegarreta]

Oh, Diana! ❤

[@Tawadeb]

Beautiful spare dress

[@heathermetz6576]

7:57 “Diana was a one in a million being.”

[@NM-ub6ml]

Truly awful dress .. poor woman was too young and drowned in that crushed and hanging off monstrosity

[@NM-ub6ml]

@oliviabb73849 what's that got to do with anything? I was a kid in the 80s so yes seen them. They tended towards enormous but hers was off the scale . Some actually suited the people who wore them. This did not. I wasn't aware we needed to be a fashion designer to comment.. and fashion designers don't have the only view on each other's work.

[@shannonm.4087]

i am so excited to see an updated version of her dress!

[@cartomancycarmen]

Diana’s dress was so iconic because it fit with the architecture and time. She looked like the ideal Disney princess! I can’t wait for the princess dress sequel. Thanks for sharing a segment about the designer

[@lsmith9249]

Disney Princesses are a little girls fantasy

[@taylortate4977]

Princess Diana was truly an Icon

[@auntbee1959]

She should have used the backup.🤷🏻

[@JoyP-rw5bc]

But she didn't even know that the backup was even made so how could she use it if she didn't even know it was made

[@meghanplamondon8639]

Diana’s original dress was perfect for that time period, however, styles change and today, this second dress would be more in style

[@norenemorrow6362]

The back up dress is so much more elegant. The other one was just too much! - Giant puffed sleeves and ruffles. YUK! I didn’t even like it at the time. Definitely the quintessential 1980 wedding dress. I think if the princess had an up do it might have helped the look. Her hair just sort of hung there.

[@sandisteinberg731]

Elizabeth Emanuel is the former wife of David Emanuel, host of the British SYTTD.

[@tessdurberville711]

Former beard, to be apt. Say Yes To The Dress? Could they not find a real designer?

[@heavenawilson7271]

Like both Dresses...The first Dress was a Princess Dress...The second one could have been worn at the Wedding Reception..

[@sandycarlson3047]

I never liked this dress. It looked like a meringue and it wrinkled so badly. Such a shame.

[@debbiebalnaves4842]

Oh boy😊 I'm not the only one who thought the spare looked better for her .

[@kyleadcock7991]

The remake dress is incredible.❤

[@purberri]

The backup dress was much more elegant than the one worn. I hated all the ruffles on the collar.

[@mj9949]

Much better dress 👍

[@charlottewalters8918]

The spare is much more attractive than what she wore.

[@joshuakampamba9061]

Well I still like the actual dress she wore for the wedding ❤

[@privateuser3859]

With that scrapbook and notes you've got a best-selling book!

[@skg069]

I like the spare. The original was hideous. So 80s, which was a very unfortunate time for fashion.

[@rickandcindyg]

I love both dresses!!!!

[@Metronoma1]

I do to🙌

[@MarryOnChain]

Marriage is a sacred bond between two individuals, a union of hearts and souls. A wedding is a celebration of love, commitment, and unity, a joyous occasion where two people come together to begin a new chapter in their lives. It is a day filled with love, happiness, and cherished memories.

[@osorioteresa640]

Linda Diana fica paz 🇵🇹💯🙏❤

[@lonelinessinmilan6486]

I never considered it, that royal wedding was one of a kind event, the dress was iconic, something magical and surreal ...our first glimpse of Diana.

[@vanniekerkjohannes5568]

It's absolutely Hidious!

[@TammyDeLaRosaUtube]

I saw a interview a while back where Princess Diana stated that she had very mixed feelings about her wedding dress. She actually sounded like she really wasn't happy with it.

[@toriamansfield2999]

I never liked the first dress. The second dress would have been perfect for her.

[@MarryOnChain]

Marriage is a beautiful union between two souls, a commitment to love, support, and cherish each other for a lifetime. Wedding ceremonies are a celebration of this bond, filled with joy, love, and promises of forever. It marks the beginning of a new chapter, a journey of togetherness and growth.

[@PonderingStudent]

This one didn't.

[@CathyCorriher-jb1ot]

The spare dress would have looked beautiful on Lady Diana. Very Cinderella -like in appearance.

[@melbabowen4389]

I really loved the spare dress much better than the wedding gown she actually wore.

[@spongecakepress7062]

The dresses do not compare. Diana had a gorgeous silk/satin dress on with vintage lace, fantastic ruffles and oversized sleeves. The "white dress with some ruffles" looks like it was fabricated multiple times.

[@Mariana-ym6zf]

I look forward to seeing tbe next creation!

[@Orlak3lly]

It’s much better than the eventual wedding dress……

[@mabella3437]

I would not change a thing because Princess Diana APPROVED of it ! My opinion make the EXACT Same ICON Dress it would be more meaningful to her Loyal People Around The World & to the New Generation as well !! That dress & Veil Made HISTORY !!!!

[@kathyaschenbach8081]

Love to see it!

[@gckuchar]

That spare dress is so much more than what she wore.

[@dianeyoung8068]

Diana looked beautiful on her wedding day. She was a beautiful person.

[@faye2592]

I so wish she had turned him down and walked away. She might still have been here making the world a better place in her own, albeit smaller, sphere of influence.

[@kathymcfarland5516]

She would never have amounted to anything had she not married who she did. She had little skill and virtually no education. Her family and his grandmother pushed for the union, as unsuitable as it was. At least her older son has shown how a Spencer offspring has raised the Windsor lineage!

[@jmcmurrah]

Agree. Imagine if her family had gathered to protect her instead of telling her “too late, your face is on the tea towels”.

[@jeanhoover3406]

As a 14-year-old watching the wedding, I was so disappointed when she got out of the carriage and her dress was so wrinkled! It was a big letdown.

[@hamsterdiving7593]

Listen, I woke up at 4:00 am CST in the US just to watch that wedding, and that dress was horrifying, even more so when she got out the limo. It was way too much, even by 80s standards, and that's saying a lot, lol, because 80s wedding dresses in general could be over the top...

[@debbiebalnaves4842]

The spare dress is more beautiful than the dress she wore. The spare would have looked gorgeous on her. She would have chosen the spare dress . If given the choice,she would have chosen the spare. I'd bet anything on that. The other dress was big and bulky on her , I always thought her dress should have been more sleek . Less sleeves.

[@allys744]

I love the backup dress! It’s simple and classy, not puffy. It looks like a Victorian style dress, which seems fitting for an English princess.

[@LynneLovett]

Love the second dress much better.

[@carolkrompacky9911]

It was the over the top confectionary style popular in the 80's. Unfortunately, it did nothing to flatter it's wearer. With her tall, slim figure, Diana would have looked much better in a slim fitting tailored dress. IMO, the designers did her a disservice by going with what was popular rather than what would look good on their client. Diana was too young to know her own mind

[@brandywineblogger1411]

..And that was the tragedy. A young, sheltered, damaged little girl who didn't know her own mind about so many things. Her prince was with Camilla the night before their wedding. Tragic all around. Queen Elizabeth ruined her sister's Margaret's love life and ruined her son's. The British royalty should be abolished.