Princess Diana Had a Secret Back-Up Wedding Gown (and Not Even *She* Knew About It)

When Princess Diana walked down the aisle in 1981, her wedding gown became instantly iconic. But can you imagine if she had worn another dress?

According to David and Elizabeth Emmanuel, the couple who designed the gown, they actually had a back-up dress waiting in the wings...that not even Diana knew of.

Their reasoning? Actually pretty genius: The second gown, a more understated frock in the same taffeta material, was in the works in the event that someone leaked the original design. Elizabeth told People, “At the time we wanted to make absolutely sure that the dress was a surprise. Had the secret of the real dress got out it’s possible that Diana would actually have worn this one.”

Smart thinking, Emmanuels. Not all heroes wear capes.

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