Known for its sumptuous sets, stunning locations and incredible costumes, the upcoming fourth season of Netflix series The Crown is the must-see TV show this winter. Showcasing a star-studded cast and a costume wardrobe hotly tipped ahead of award season, the series progresses to the 1980’s and charts the wedding and marriage of Lady Diana Spencer and Charles, the Prince of Wales. Here is a look at Princess Diana’s key fashion moments and the AW20 pieces influenced by her style that you can shop now.
With three successful seasons under its belt, The Crown’s fourth instalment will introduce newcomer Emma Corrin in the role of Lady Diana Spencer – future wife of Prince Charles and arguably the most highly anticipated character of the series. In the episodes, which span the period from 1977 to 1990, we see the Royal family hunt for an appropriate bride for the still unwed 30-year-old prince – a choice which aims to provide a much-needed fairytale for the increasingly fragmented British people of the era.
But as well as one of royal history’s most captivating narratives, the series will also recreate some of Princess Diana’s most memorable fashion moments, from the floral shirt and yellow overalls she wore to a summer polo match to the pretty red polka dot dress chosen for the premiere of bond film For Your Eyes Only in 1981. As each of the looks are lovingly replicated on screen, it becomes easy to see why Diana set so many fashion trends and was hailed as an eighties style icon.
Pastel Palette
Ice Cream Colours & Polka Dots
In fact, this season promises pieces which will let you channel some of Princess Diana’s go-to wardrobe trends: polka dots, oversized collars, pretty pastels and bold floral prints, which many fashion labels including Alessandra Rich, Rodarte, Miu Miu and Ganni have picked up on this winter.
Daytime Dresses
#BigCollarEnergy & Ditzty Floral Prints
Of course, the pièce de résistance of this season’s costumes is undeniably the recreation of Diana’s iconic wedding dress for her marriage to Prince Charles in July 1981. A fairytale puffball sleeved creation of ivory silk taffeta and antique lace by designers Elizabeth and David Emanuel, it came complete with a 25-ft train and was topped off with a 153-yard tulle veil. When commenting on their creation, the Emanuels said the dress “had to be something that was going to go down in history”. Clearly, they didn’t fail in their brief.
Recreating such an iconic dress for The Crown was therefore no small feat. Thankfully, the replica by Emmy Award-winning costume designer Amy Roberts received Elizabeth Emanuel’s seal of approval, who recently told Tatler: “Although not an exact replica, the costume managed to successfully define the spirit of the iconic wedding gown by focusing on its instantly recognisable silhouette, which reinforced the drama of the moment and was very moving to see even after all these years.”
However, it’s not just the costumes, but the incredible cast which has won the show legions of devoted followers. In Season 4, The Crown brings back fan favourites Helena Bonham Carter as Princess Margaret, Tobias Menzies as The Duke of Edinburgh, Josh O’Connor as Prince Charles and Emerald Fennell as Camilla Parker Bowles.
But this series also brings with it some high profile new talent, such as Gillian Anderson giving an incredible performance as Maggie Thatcher – a role which saw the actress spend months working with a voice coach in order to embody the Iron Lady. This series sees Anderson’s Thatcher go head-to-head with The Queen, played by the Oscar-winning Olivia Coleman, as the two powerful female heads of state attempt to form a working relationship. No wonder it’s being praised as the best season yet…
Season 4 of The Crown is available on Netflix from 15 November; netflix.com
