Catherine Walker Tuxedo Cocktail Suit

fits Franklin Mint Diana Portrait Doll

When Salisbury Cathedral launced an appeal to raise funds for the repair of its historic spire, tower and west front, Prince Charles, with his interest in traditional English architecture, was an eager supporter and became its patron. As a fundraiser, a large concert featuring Placido Domingo and Jessye Norman, among others, was organized for early September of 1991 and both the Prince and Princess of Wales attended.
One of the fashion-forward looks Diana introduced into royal dressing was the feminine tuxedo, and she had several versions during the 80's. According to Catherine Walker's autobiography
"the princess asked me to suggest a replacement for the trousers for a late summer evening. We agreed on the design of this V-front strapless white wool dress to complement the jacket."(page 104)
Ironically, though, the night turned out to be rather chilly, and Diana was seen wearing first a man's overcoat that had been offered to her, and then a red blanket!
Diana also wore this outfit on the Wales' tour of Canada later that year, in Toronto to a showing of Les Miserables.(above right) She also appears to be wearing the jacket 6 years later, out with Indian businessman Gulu Lalvani for an evening of dining and dancing, in June of 1997 (below)
To add to the Cathedral's revenues, both a CD and a video were released. Interestingly, the CD cover (below right) featured both the Prince and Princess of Wales, but by the time the video was released in 1992, the Wales' separation apparently had been announced, for Diana was totally non-existent in it. It would not be the last time she'd be publicly erased from the royal family.

This recreation for the Franklin Mint vinyl Princess Diana doll consists of a white linen dress, which is fully lined in white and closes in the back with a zipper. It also has ribbon shoulder straps to keep it properly positioned. The black jacket is also in linen with black satin lapels, is also fully lined in white, features rhinestone buttons on the front and mock French cuffs, and closes in the front with a hook and eye and on the cuffs with snaps. (Please note that neither the satin lapels nor the rhinestone buttons photographed well, the buttons in particular are quite sparkly in reality. I apologize for this.) Includes black satin clutch bag. Shown with the earrings from the People's Princess Blue Suit doll, and shoes from the Princess of Glamour.

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