PARIS — Nearly three decades after her tragic passing in the French capital, Princess Diana, the ‘People’s Princess,’ has returned to Paris in a striking and deeply symbolic form. The renowned Grévin Museum has finally unveiled a wax statue of Diana, Princess of Wales, immortalizing her in the iconic black, off-the-shoulder cocktail dress famously dubbed the “revenge dress.”
The unveiling at the central Paris wax museum holds profound resonance, given the city is the place where Diana’s life was tragically cut short in a car crash in August 1997. The project, which museum officials revealed was originally conceived in 1996 but postponed following her death, is a long-awaited tribute to a figure who continues to hold immense global fascination.
A Symbol of Liberation and Defiance
The wax figure, sculpted by Laurent Mallamaci, depicts Diana in the figure-hugging, short black gown by designer Christina Stambolian. She wore the dress in June 1994 to a party at the Serpentine Gallery in London—on the very same evening her then-husband, Prince Charles (now King Charles III), confessed to his infidelity in a televised interview.
The dress was a powerful act of defiance. Traditionally, black attire in the royal family was reserved for mourning, and its daring cut and exposed shoulders were a clear departure from standard royal protocol. The museum’s statement noted that the outfit “became a symbol of newfound freedom,” showcasing Diana’s independence and growing confidence amid the very public breakdown of her marriage.
The effigy is accessorized with a replica of her signature pearl choker necklace and a small black clutch, capturing the look that cemented her status as a global style and pop culture icon.
Poignant Timing
The Grévin Museum strategically chose the date of the unveiling, November 20, to coincide with the 30th anniversary of Diana’s explosive 1995 Panorama interview. In that interview, she candidly addressed her struggles within the marriage and famously stated, “There were three of us in this marriage, so it was a bit crowded.” The dual timing—the “revenge dress” which followed Charles’s admission and the anniversary of the “Panorama” interview—highlights the key moments of Diana’s journey toward royal separation and personal empowerment.
Standing alongside historical figures like Marie-Antoinette and other luminaries, the statue is a testament to Diana’s enduring legacy. Her life-size figure now stands in a city where she remains affectionately remembered as ‘Lady Di,’ an icon whose humanitarian work, fashion, and vulnerability captivated the world.
The unveiling serves as a poignant Parisian homage to a princess whose story and spirit continue to resonate across generations.
With additional report: mb.com.ph
