BellaSugar

Bella Donna: Diana, Princess of Wales

BellaSugar — Thu, 30 Aug 2007 16:17:29 PDT

A Bella Donna is more than just a pretty face. Sometimes she starts a trend, other times her impact isn't realized until decades after her debut. And then there are a few who become legendary, like this week's choice, Diana, Princess of Wales. Born Diana Spencer, she was not the "commoner" many people initially imagined her to be; she was born into an aristocratic family, which was a requirement for her to marry Charles, Prince of Wales. Their 1981 wedding was watched by almost one billion people, and their divorce was a hot tabloid topic. But Diana's charity work showed her great compassion, and her death-which happened ten years ago tomorrow-plunged the world into sorrow.

From her early days in the media spotlight to her unexpected death, Diana's personal style inspired countless women to copy her look. Most women couldn't afford her luxurious ballgowns, but they could manage to mimic her short blonde hairstyle. In the early '80s, she favored a feathered look, but it always kept up with the times-often setting off trends with a snip of the scissors. She didn't have a perfect life; she struggled with depression, bulimia and a failed marriage. Still-and maybe partly because of her resilience-she remains one of the 20th century's most influential beauties. Diana would have been 46 this past July.

View 12 Photos ›

Source

Princess Diana's Brother, Charles Spencer, Arrives at the Royal Wedding!

Elle Taylor — Fri, 29 Apr 2011 02:11:34 PDT

Prince William's uncle, Earl Charles Spencer, was accompanied by his new fiancée, Karen Gordon, as he arrived for the royal wedding. The Spencer family have a prominent position in Westminster Abbey, sitting right behind the Middletons. They are representing the groom's maternal family. Wills has said he gave Kate his mother's engagement ring so that she could be part of the ceremony, and we also got details yesterday about how Diana will be honored during the royal wedding ceremony. Chelsy Davy, the Beckhams, Elton John, Guy Ritchie, and Tara Palmer-Tomkinson are also in attendance, so check out all the pictures!

Princess Diana's Letters as a Young Newlywed Up For Auction

Annie Scudder — Tue, 07 Jun 2011 10:45:25 PDT

As a 20-year-old new wife and princess, Diana Spencer maintained a connection to her former ordinary life by keeping up a pen pal relationship with a former colleague. Margaret Hodge, a teacher twice Diana's age who worked with the would-be queen when she was a simple kindergarten teaching assistant, acted as Diana's confidant after her wedding of the century. Now, Mrs. Hodge is putting her collection of Christmas cards, royal wedding invitations, and personal letters up for auction, as other friends of Diana's have done before. They're expected to fetch close to $40,000.

Describing Highgrove, one of her royal residences, Diana's desire to play the everyday in-love couple shines through: "It honestly won't look smart," she writes. "Just a cosy nest for Mr & Mrs Wales to roost with bright colours of course!" Yet in another letter, Diana describes Prince Charles's disinterest in her, writing, "I've vanished down many a hole - the husband having not realised - typical."

While Diana's former friend will make a pretty penny off the endearing correspondences, timely again now that her son William is a newlywed himself, it doesn't seem like enough to hand over such personal mementos. Something tells me Mrs. Hodge has kept some for herself.

Our Facebook Fans Interview Royal Expert Jerramy Fine!

Annie Scudder — Thu, 28 Apr 2011 13:52:37 PDT

Today we hosted a live chat with royal expert Jerramy Fine, author of Someday My Prince Will Come and founder of Princess Prep in London. She's rubbed shoulders with Princess Anne, Earl Spencer, and the Duchess of York, and shared her valuable knowledge with us. Read our reader questions about the royal wedding and Jerramy's insightful answers below!

Gi Jane: How do you think Kate will handle her new life? I am sure with the few years she's been with William she would do quite well.
Jerramy Fine: Royal life isn't for everyone, but I think it IS for Kate. She has been pitch perfect so far and I'll be very surprised if she makes any mistakes any time soon.

Libby: How many of Kate's commonor friends are invited to the wedding? I imagine the list had to be approved?
JF: All of Kate and William's friends are a very close knit group and have been in their inner circle for nearly eight years. The cool thing is that Kate invited a lot of the locals from her home town - the mailman, etc!

Lauren: I was wondering how much influence does the queen have over the day? Does she OK the dress? OK the food? I am sure she will OK the guest list!
JF: Although the queen (and hopefully Kate and William probably have some input) I'm fairly certain that every last detail is being seen to by the Lord Chamberlain and Master of the Household in accordance with royal tradition. However, I heard they are actually having buffet during the evening party rather than a sit down dinner and that the queen is not best pleased about lining up for her food!

Mary: I was just reading that all of Kate's bridesmaids besides her sister are really young - age 8 and under, I think. Is that common/part of tradition for a royal wedding?
JF: Yes! The Brits think it's really weird that Americans have grown-up bridesmaids! The tradition is one maid of honor and as many children as you can handle! It's starting to change though - Autumn Phillips had three grown-up bridesmaids - maybe Zara will, too.

Judy: Any rumors about the dress? Get the answer when you keep reading.