Princess Diana’s New Wax Statue Is Unveiled in Paris — but an Expert Has a Major Complaint
A Paris museum unveils a Diana waxwork in her 'revenge dress,' prompting criticism for its controversial timing.
A new wax figure of Princess Diana has made its debut in Paris, and the reaction is already divided. The Grévin Museum unveiled a life-size sculpture of the Princess of Wales wearing her famous ‘revenge dress,’ the one she wore for a Serpentine Gallery dinner in 1994 after the then Prince Charles admitted to his infidelity. While the Christina Stambolian dress remains one of the most iconic dresses of Diana, what has caused a stir is the date of the unveiling of the statue. The museum chose November 20, the anniversary of Diana’s explosive Panorama interview with BBC journalist Martin Bashir in 1995, now infamous for the deceitful methods used to secure it.
Speaking to Express, royal expert Richard Fitzwilliams called the decision ‘truly extraordinary.’ He argued, “Since we now know beyond doubt that the Panorama interview by the BBC was obtained by duplicitous means, it is surely tasteless to commemorate its anniversary by installing the waxwork.” Still, he acknowledged why curators chose the iconic black dress. He noted that the outfit worked as “an appeal to her admirers and supporters, a job application, and an attack on Prince Charles,” and also a deliberate act of defiance following his televised admission of adultery.
Fitzwilliams also opined, “This outfit commemorates her skill in this area, which was sadly, also so destructive. This exhibit highlights part of her legacy, and it does look glamorous, as on that memorable night as well as in so many others, she did. No one could match her.” Museum officials defended their artistic choice and described the overall look as a symbol of Diana’s resilience and confidence. A spokesperson of the Grévin museum said that the dress represented a ‘powerful image of assertive femininity,’ adding that Diana “remains a major figure in global pop culture, celebrated for her style, humanity, and independence.”
Before Diana’s revenge dress wax figure was installed, the Grévin museum already had statues of King Charles and Queen Elizabeth II on display. Sculpted by artist Laurent Mallamaci, Diana’s addition further establishes that the late Princess of Wales remains a beloved presence in Paris, where she tragically died in 1997. However, the timing of the tribute has also quietly resurfaced the Panorama interview and its painful legacy for Prince William and Prince Harry. In 2021, Bashir apologized to the brothers, stating, “I never meant to harm Diana in any way, and I don't believe we did.” Following which, the BBC announced that they would never broadcast the interview again.
Despite the apology, the damage was already done for Prince William. He responded to Bashir’s apology by saying, “It is my view that the deceitful way the interview was obtained substantially influenced what my mother said.” He also added that the interview played a major role in the unraveling of his parents' relationship, as well as hurt several others. On the other hand, despite the controversy, Harry said on Harry & Meghan that his late mother ‘spoke the truth’ in the Panorama interview. "I think we all now know that she was deceived into giving the interview, but at the same time, she spoke the truth of her experience,” he had claimed.
