On a grey morning in 1986, the streets of London were filled with the hustle and bustle of the morning rush hour, and in an ornate bedroom at Buckingham Palace, Princess Diana, 24, stood in front of a giant mirror, carefully examining her reflection. The hustle and bustle of the outside world contrasts sharply with the tranquility of the moment. She is about to embark on a plane to Japan, her first official visit to Prince Charles, and a major solo appearance on the international stage.
In Tokyo, Diana awaits not only a formal diplomatic banquet, but also challenges and opportunities that she has never foreseen. How will this visit affect her image as a concubine of a country?
Diana's first visit to Japan: a showcase of the new forces
In 1986, Princess Diana made her first visit to Japan with Prince Charles, marking a milestone in the interaction between the British royal family and Japan. The visit was a busy and detailed schedule, covering a number of formal state dinners and cultural exchanges, with each of Princess Diana's public appearances being a highlight-backing event.
On their first day in Tokyo, Diana and Charles were warmly welcomed by the Japanese Imperial Family. Reception ceremonies in Japan are often filled with tradition and etiquette, with members of the royal family wearing formal kimonos as a sign of respect for the British royal family. Diana and Charles were arranged to stay at the Imperial Hotel and attended a welcome dinner hosted by the Emperor and Empress of Japan.
At the dinner, Diana's dress and demeanor attracted a lot of attention from the attendees. She wore that jewel blue funnel-shaped dress, which was simple and elegant, and was very suitable for this formal occasion. When communicating with members of the Japanese Imperial Family and senior government officials, she showed a high level of etiquette, and despite the language barrier, she actively participated in the conversation through the interpreter, showing respect and appreciation for Japanese culture.
Over the next few days, Diana visited several cultural and historical landmarks, including Sensoji Temple in Tokyo and Kinkaku-ji Temple in Kyoto. On these occasions, she not only showed her friendly attitude to the Japanese people, but also deliberately learned some basic Japanese such as "こんにちは" (hello) and "ありがとうございます" (thank you), and her small efforts received positive coverage in the local media, strengthening the public's favorability towards her.
In addition, Diana paid special attention to some charity activities, visiting several child welfare institutions located in Tokyo. During these visits, she interacted with the children, participated in their daily activities, and demonstrated her concern for children's well-being. Her sincere act of care deepened the Japanese public's respect and affection for her.
The Princess's expectations and preparations
On the eve of Princess Diana's first visit to Japan with Prince Charles in 1986, Diana publicly expressed her anticipation and excitement about the trip. This statement first appeared at an official event during her visit to Canada, when she had a pleasant meeting with the consul general of Japan. During this meeting, Diana actively inquired about the culture and customs of Japan, showing a keen interest in the upcoming visit.
At an official dinner in Canada, Diana deliberately chose Japanese cuisine as part of her dinner, as a preparation to better understand and adapt to the culture of the country she was visiting. During the dinner, Diana tasted a variety of traditional Japanese dishes, including sushi and tempura, and she was full of praise for the taste of these foods and highly appreciated the chef's skill. This attitude and behavior of hers was recorded by the guests present and the media, who reported this affinity and openness to the public widely.
While Diana's love of Japanese cuisine undoubtedly added to her people-friendly profile, she confessed at a private party that she wasn't skilled enough at using chopsticks. She even half-jokingly said that she might need to pack a pair of knives and forks in her luggage in case she encounters a difficult table situation during her visit to Japan. This detail was later reported by the media, making many people feel that Diana not only had the noble temperament of the royal family, but also had an approachable side.
A few weeks before leaving for Japan, Diana attended a cultural exchange dinner at the Japanese Embassy in the United Kingdom. At the dinner, the embassy prepared a series of exquisite Japanese dishes, including some traditional dishes that can only be enjoyed with chopsticks. Diana was a little clumsy when trying to use chopsticks, but instead of being embarrassed, she took this as an opportunity to ask the Japanese guests about the correct way to use them. Her enthusiasm for learning and sincerity were highly praised by Japanese guests, and her efforts and openness to new things further enhanced her image as an international public figure.
Costume strategy in diplomacy
For Diana, clothing was an important part of her royal identity, especially during important international visits, where each public appearance conveyed a specific cultural and diplomatic message through carefully selected clothing. During her visit to Japan in 1986, Diana's choice of clothing not only showcased her personal fashion taste, but also carried out her diplomatic duties as a representative of the British royal family.
For this visit, Diana specially prepared eight outfits, each carefully designed to suit different occasions and events. One of the most striking is a funnel-shaped pure jewel blue dress designed by a British-born Japanese designer. This outfit is not only brightly colored, but also the design details reflect the elegance and dignity of Princess Diana.
The blue dress is inspired by the fusion of traditional English dresses and Japanese elements. The dress is made of high-quality blue silk material, which has a soft and shiny texture, which makes the garment appear to be flowing under the light. The designer added a fan-shaped pleated design to the skirt, which not only adds layers to the clothing, but also alludes to the folding fan elements of traditional Japanese clothing, expressing respect and tribute to Japanese culture.
When it comes to accessory choices, Diana also shows her attention to detail. She wore sapphire earrings that perfectly matched the color of her dress, and the design of the earrings was simple and elegant, complementing her hairstyle and makeup. The fan-shaped pouch she holds is not only a practical choice for carrying items, but also the finishing touch to the overall look, which is also made of blue silk and has a metal frame to add a touch of modernity.
In addition, several of Diana's other outfits are also distinctive, designed to show her adaptability and style in different social situations. For example, she opted for a delicate evening dress for a formal state dinner, while she might opt for a lighter and more casual outfit for her daily outings. The choice of clothing reflects not only Diana's personal style, but also her seriousness towards official occasions and respect for the culture of the host country.
Innovative fashion attempts
During her visit to Japan in 1986, Princess Diana not only attracted attention for her proximity and diplomatic acumen, but also her fashion choices. Her clothing and accessories showcased their bold and innovative side during this visit, especially her unique treatment of the dark blue velvet necklace, which sparked a lot of discussion in the fashion world.
At a dinner party, Diana opted for a simple evening gown, the color echoing the aforementioned sapphire blue dress, but with more depth and mystery. Instead of the usual velvet necklace around her neck, she subtly modified it to be used as a headdress, which was wrapped around her forehead to form a kind of forehead ornament. This innovative way of wearing not only highlights her innovative spirit, but also creates a perfect visual harmony with her blue eyes and sapphire earrings.
It's a small change, but it has a huge visual impact. The velvety texture and deep blue sheen stand out in the evening lighting, adding a touch of unusual elegance to her ensemble. In addition, this non-traditional way of using traditional jewelry not only shows her challenge to the rules of traditional fashion, but also reflects her leading position in the fashion industry.
In Japan, a country known for following tradition and being conservative, Diana's fashion experiment is particularly remarkable. The Japanese fashion industry, while conservative in some ways, also appreciates and respects the expression of innovation and individuality. Diana's forehead necklace not only garnered attention at dinners, but was also widely reported in Japanese fashion magazines and media, and her fashion experiment was seen as a cross-cultural fashion exchange, inspiring Japanese designers and fashion lovers to explore new uses for traditional jewelry.
This attempt at the style was quickly adopted by some of the avant-garde fashion people in Japan and began to appear at several fashion exhibitions and runways. Inspired by the designers, Japanese designers have begun to incorporate similar elements into their own designs, presenting traditional kimono accessories in a new way, which not only brings freshness to their designs, but also allows the Japanese and Western fashion worlds to communicate and merge more closely.
In addition, Diana's fashion attempt has also been noticed by the global fashion industry. Through extensive international media coverage, her innovative way of wearing has sparked interest and discussion around the world for new uses of traditional jewelry. In the following years, similar designs began to appear on fashion shows around the world, becoming a popular trend.
The far-reaching impact of cultural exchange
During Princess Diana's visit to Japan, the warmth and respect of the Japanese side as the host were vividly displayed. In particular, the kimono they custom-made for Princess Diana was not only a courtesy to her, but also a tribute to the British royal family. Decorated with delicate traditional Japanese botanical floral motifs, this kimono is decorated in a vibrant orange color palette and is designed to showcase traditional Japanese aesthetics while taking into account Diana's height and temperament.
The designers of this kimono used traditional cutting techniques to ensure that the kimono would gracefully fall on Diana's body, revealing her tall figure. The orange choice was chosen in the hope of bringing out Diana's liveliness and affinity, while the use of floral motifs pays homage to emblematic flowers such as the rose in England, a design that subtly blends Eastern and Western aesthetic standards.
When Diana tried on the kimono, the Japanese costumer carefully helped her adjust every detail to ensure the fit and comfort of the kimono. The moment Diana put on the kimono, the scene was unusually warm, and her figure was captured by photographers, and these photos were subsequently widely circulated in the media in several countries around the world.
During this visit, Diana also participated in several kimono-related cultural activities, including a visit to a kimono-making workshop and a traditional Japanese tea ceremony experience. These events not only gave Diana a deeper understanding of traditional Japanese culture, but also demonstrated her respect and appreciation for different cultures to the Japanese people and the audience who followed the visit from all over the world.
The kimono was not only a highlight of Diana's visit, but also a symbol of deepening cultural understanding between Britain and Japan. Diana's visit strengthened the friendly relations between the two countries through various forms of cultural exchange, while also deepening her international image and influence as a member of the royal family.
"Desperate Housewife" Princess Diana[J].Women's Life,2017,0(10):32-33