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Whoa, Princess Diana Spilled Perfume on Her Wedding Dress Seconds Before Walking Down the Aisle

princess diana wedding day

#TBT to 1981 when the soon-to-be Princess Diana married Prince Charles in a ceremony so grand, the entire world was watching. Wedding day jitters? We’d assume so, which might be the reason for Di’s beauty oops: She accidentally spilled perfume on her gorgeous David and Elizabeth Emanuel dress right before she exchanged vows. 

According to Barbara Daly, Princess Diana’s wedding day makeup artist, Diana was simply trying to dab some of her favorite scent, Quelques Fleurs, on her wrist when it splashed on her gown, leaving a mark behind. And, since she had no time to spare, Di had to think fast, which is why she covered the spot with her hand as she made her grand entrance into St. Paul’s Cathedral in London.

In the book Diana: The Portrait, Daly goes into even more detail, explaining that she advised Diana to make it seem like she lifting the front of her dress so she didn’t step on it vs. revealing a stain on what would soon be remembered as one of the most iconic wedding gowns of all time. Well-played.

As for Diana’s favorite scent? It was launched in 1912 by Parisian perfume house, Houbigant, and features notes of jasmine, rose and bergamot. It’s also still available to purchase for $150 a bottle. (Just in case you’re in the market for your own bridal—or everyday—scent.)

Princesses, they’re just like us. But seriously, kudos to Diana for carrying this off with grace and poise.

9 Princess Diana Wedding Details You Probably Never Knew



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Royal family expert, a cappella alum, mom

Rachel Bowie is Senior Director of Special Projects & Royals at PureWow, where she covers parenting, fashion, wellness and money in addition to overseeing initiatives within...