A photograph capturing Princess Diana and rock icon David Bowie smiling together at a London concert appeared to be concealed for many years.
But what was the reason behind the royal family’s desire to keep it under wraps for so long?
Continue reading to discover the answer.
The year was 1987. At 25 years old, Princess Diana attended a charity concert at Wembley Stadium, where the iconic David Bowie was set to perform that night.
Promoter Harvey Goldsmith organized the photoshoot, inviting photographer Denis O’Regan, who had previously collaborated with Bowie, to the event.
O’Regan now shares with the Daily Mail that it was suggested to Diana to take a photo together, and she was curious if Bowie would be on board with it.
Bowie agreed, and the photograph was captured.
However, the following day, the palace made a request: the photo was not to be published.
It wasn’t that the image was inappropriate. It wasn’t about Bowie being in it. The concern was about who accompanied Diana.
The princess had arrived at the concert with Major James Hewitt. At that time, there were rumors (which were later confirmed) regarding an affair between them, and the palace wanted to avoid fueling the speculation. Hewitt attempted to remain discreet and out of the photographers’ view. “No one knew who he was, so I had no reason to photograph him, and the news about their relationship hadn’t surfaced yet,” O’Regan explained.
Thus, he chose not to publish the photo himself – a decision he still supports.
Later, Diana mentioned in her biography that she faced criticism for her outfit that evening. She opted for leather pants, which displeased the royal family.
Diana defended her choice, stating she wanted to appear as youthful as her audience.
Now, almost 40 years later, the image has finally been unveiled as part of a new biography of David Bowie, showcasing a treasure trove of footage captured by photographer Denis O’Regan – including that once-concealed moment.
The image no longer poses a risk to the royal family’s reputation, yet it serves as a reminder of the underlying desire to manage how Princess Diana was portrayed to the public.
