Overview

• Edward White's biography, 'Dianaworld: An Obsession,' revisits the story of Princess Diana disguising herself in male drag to visit a London gay bar with Freddie Mercury in the late 1980s.
• The anecdote, originally detailed in Cleo Rocos’ 2013 memoir, describes Diana wearing a camouflage jacket, leather cap, and aviator sunglasses to blend in at the Royal Vauxhall Tavern.
• While Rocos claims the disguise worked and Diana was unrecognized, Freddie Mercury’s former assistant disputes his involvement, casting doubt on parts of the story.
• The tale is part of a broader narrative of Diana’s covert outings and her connection to the LGBTQ+ community, reinforcing her legacy as a symbol of empathy and reinvention.
• The story inspired Desmond O’Connor’s cabaret musical 'Royal Vauxhall,' and its renewed discussion highlights Diana’s cultural impact and modern mythology.