Wednesday, September 30, 2009

An unexpected surprise on our trip to FL

Isn't this a great picture? I've posted about Princess Diana on her birthday or anniversary of her death on my blog, but probably didn't go into detail how much I loved following her life from age 11 on. I'm talking glossy books, videos, homemade scrapbooks documenting her life, etc. She was only 9 years older than me, but when I was a child she seems so much older. Now I'm 3 years older than she was when she died. Hard to comprehend. It still breaks my heart that she died so young and with two young sons.


Imagine my surprise when, en route to our dinner reservation at the House of Blues in Downtown Disney last week, I saw HUGE flowing banners with her pictures, larger than life, on the side of a nearby building. As we walked closer we saw that it was a traveling exhibit I had heard some mention of, but had no clue that it was in Orlando! After dinner we all went into the exhibit. What an unexpected treat! I got to see 5 of her actual gowns purchased at a Christie's auction shortly before she died in '97. One being the below black velvet gown she wore for an official portrait in 1985 (below). It had a unique black rosette at the neckline in the back. The other one that I really remembered her wearing was the stunning long white, sequined halter dress she wore on a solo visit to the US in '95 or '97 (can't remember at the moment). To see it in front of me was really awesome. I saw an actual piece of her wedding cake (it was fruitcake so not even moldy, just VERY DRY looking) in a special gift box someone had taken home from the reception. I saw letters she had written, furniture she had and a china doll of her in her amazing wedding gown and train. I felt 11 all over again seeing all of this up close and personal. This really made my vacation. My oldest son really enjoyed it, too because he knew what a "fan" I was of her. Don't you just love it when you stumble across something you weren't expecting?



7 comments:

Shelley said...

I stumbled upon an exhibit of her dresses too when I was in London. I had no idea Kensington Palace was just up the street from my hotel so we got to tour the palace and see a huge collection of her dresses. I remember sneaking out of bed to try and watch her wedding on tv when I was younger. I so wanted to become a princess like her when I was a little girl!

Marilyn *Pink Martinis and Pearls* said...

Last night I came across (unexpectedly) the Time magazine completely devoted to her when she died. For a moment I was going to toss it but decided to hang on to it. To this day I regret putting in a garage sale commemorative tea for the wedding with Diana and Charles' picture on the wrapper. It was snatched up immediately 15 years ago. I watched the wedding at 3 AM my time. I will never forget wishing I was her at that moment even though I was engaged myself. It was magic. Who knew she was in so much pain walking down that aisle looking for Camilla that whole time? I loved her.

Belle said...

What a great surprise!

I love the pics of your kitchen. Love the tile. Gorgeous!
belle

Headbands and Hand Bags said...

She is stunning! What a fun surprise to find the exhibit! Many hours could be spent there!

Mona said...

What a fabulous surprise for you!

Tippy said...

How awesome, Pink! I was a fan of hers too. I remember watching the wedding on tv on a Saturday morning sitting on the floor of the living room in my PJs. She was a beautiful person - inside and out. I'm sure her boys miss her every day.

Kristen said...

I went on a study abroad in college where I lived across the street from Kensington Palace for 4 months - we used to see her coming and going ALL the time, I just adored her and we were lucky enough to take a tour through parts of the palace at the time. So sad that she is gone. I love that you stumbled across such a neat exhibit to see her things!