Remember when Princess Diana wowed the Met Gala in a risqué — and secretly altered — gown?

CNN - May 4th, 2025
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In 1996, Princess Diana attended the Met Gala, making a significant impact with her daring fashion choice. Just months after her divorce from Prince Charles, Diana arrived at the event in a modified John Galliano gown, showcasing a bold, negligee-inspired navy slip dress. The outfit defied royal dress codes and symbolized her newfound independence. The dress, originally intended to be more conservative, was altered by Diana to remove the corset, reflecting her desire for liberation. Her ensemble was complemented by significant jewelry choices, including her sapphire engagement ring and a statement choker, both linking back to iconic moments in her life.

Diana's appearance at the Met Gala was not just a fashion statement but a cultural moment, underscoring her status as a style icon and a symbol of empowerment. Her choices at the event were seen as a reclaiming of her personal identity and a liberation from the constraints of royal expectations. The impact of her appearance extended beyond the immediate media buzz, influencing fashion trends and the perception of celebrity influence. As the Met Gala continues to be a prominent event in the fashion world, Diana's singular appearance remains a benchmark of elegance and individuality, inspiring generations of fashion enthusiasts and royals alike.

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RATING

6.4
Moderately Fair
Read with skepticism

The article provides an engaging and largely accurate account of Princess Diana's appearance at the 1996 Met Gala, highlighting her influence as a fashion icon. It effectively captures the symbolic meanings behind her fashion choices and offers a nostalgic look at a significant cultural moment. However, the story could benefit from more diverse perspectives and clearer source attribution to enhance balance and transparency. While the article is unlikely to provoke controversy, it serves as a compelling retrospective that reinforces Diana's enduring legacy in the fashion world. Overall, the story succeeds in engaging readers with its vivid descriptions and clear narrative, though it could improve in areas of source quality and transparency.

RATING DETAILS

7
Accuracy

The article provides a largely accurate account of Princess Diana's attendance at the Met Gala in 1996, highlighting her fashion choices and their symbolic meanings. It accurately describes her wearing a John Galliano-designed dress and the subsequent alterations she made, as recounted by Galliano himself in a documentary. However, certain details, such as the exact timeline of her divorce in relation to the Met Gala and the specific symbolism of her jewelry, could benefit from more precise verification. Additionally, the article could clarify Galliano's exact quotes regarding the color negotiations and the media's reception of Diana's look.

6
Balance

The story primarily focuses on Princess Diana's fashion choices and their impact, providing a singular perspective on her liberation from royal constraints. While it includes quotes from John Galliano and media figures like Barbara Walters, it lacks diverse viewpoints that might offer a more nuanced understanding of the event's significance. The article could benefit from including perspectives from royal commentators or fashion historians to provide a more balanced view of Diana's influence and the broader cultural context of her appearance.

8
Clarity

The article is well-written with a clear narrative structure, guiding readers through the events of the 1996 Met Gala and Diana's fashion choices. The language is accessible and engaging, effectively conveying the significance of the event and Diana's impact on fashion. However, the article could benefit from clearer explanations of certain symbolic elements, such as the significance of the sapphire ring and choker, to ensure all readers fully grasp the nuances of the story.

6
Source quality

The article references credible sources such as John Galliano and Barbara Walters, lending authority to its claims. However, it lacks direct citations or links to primary sources, such as the Hulu documentary or specific media coverage from the time. Including these references would enhance the reliability of the reporting and provide readers with avenues for further exploration. The absence of a variety of sources also limits the depth of the analysis, as it primarily relies on a few key voices.

5
Transparency

The article provides some context for Princess Diana's fashion choices, particularly in relation to her personal life and public image. However, it does not clearly disclose the methodology behind verifying claims or the potential biases of quoted sources. The lack of explicit source attribution or links to original materials diminishes transparency. Greater clarity about the basis of claims, such as the exact nature of Galliano's recollections and the reasoning behind Diana's jewelry symbolism, would improve transparency.

Sources

  1. https://www.businessinsider.com/princess-diana-met-gala-dress-in-vogue-90s-hulu-2024-9
  2. https://www.townandcountrymag.com/society/tradition/a62302322/princess-diana-met-gala-dior-dress-corset/