The real accounts behind well-known Diana images, as told by the one who captured them.
This exhibit, happening at the Dockside Vaults near to London's Tower Bridge and lasting from May 25 to September 2, showcases Diana's life as a community helper, a mother, and a style symbol. It showcases a meticulously picked collection of work by the widely acclaimed royal photographer Anwar Hussein, who started taking pics of her when she was 19.
At first, some individuals told me, "You can't take photos of royals." I responded, "Why not? I wish to change." I was taking pics of rock music stars - Bob Marley, Elton John, the Beatles. And then, I tired of the showbiz scene.
Diana significantly altered the royal norms, according to Samir, when he pointed out a massive print of the renowned "revenge dress" photo from a Vanity Fair party on the same day as when Charles publicly confessed to adultery.
"She completely overturned the trend, particularly for royals," he explained. "Things that are today considered typical, such as what Kate or Meghan wear, it was Diana that paved the way for all of that."
Zak also contributed by emphasizing her bravery. "There was a lot of speculation, but once she appeared looking amazing, she made a really strong statement that, 'I'm not going to cower, I'll still be my own self.'"
The special photo for Anwar is distinct from the aforementioned one. He was looking at a picture of Diana comforting a child with cancer while visiting a hospital in Lahore, Pakistan, in 1996.
"He liked this photo the most since this lad was blind. He had a strong odor of perfume from the chemicals they had used, but she didn't care and embraced him," he said. "Later, the child died, which made her really sad."
Over time, the Husseins have taken hundreds of thousands of photos of the royal family. However, the word that best defines these photographs is "legacy."
"We didn't want it to be controversial," he continued. "We wanted it to be a commemoration of Diana's life and her legacy. We've had 'The Crown,' films about Diana, so it feels like a whole new generation is experiencing it."
For Samir and Zak, their father's influence has been profound in their lives as well. This notion is emphasized by two strikingly similar but significantly different photographs in another section of the exhibit.
In the first picture, taken in 1992, a solitary Diana is photographed in front of the Taj Mahal in India, sporting a vibrant red and purple suit made by Catherine Walker. Anwar had been told that Charles would have other assignments that day, prompting Diana to pose there alone. "She ended up posing in front of it, in front of this symbol of love," Zak describes, recalling his father's story. "Fairly quickly after, they publicly announced their separation."
Anwar's second return, 24 years later, saw his son Zak shooting Prince William and Catherine sitting on the same bench where Diana once posed. "There was a lot of speculation, would they recreate that picture by Diana," Zak mused. "They visited the spot, but this time it's two people who are clearly madly in love."
The exhibit is practically a love note to two families: the Husseins behind the camera and generations of royals in front of it. "He's never conducted anything like this before," Samir said. "He's getting older, and I believe he genuinely desired to celebrate what he had done and honor her as an individual."
In a statement, Anwar stated: "I'm pleased that these images, as well as those of my sons, are returning home to London to celebrate this remarkable woman and her sons."
Tickets for the exhibit begin at £17 ($22) and include a 60-minute audio tour that features first-hand stories for each image.
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This exhibit showcases Diana's impact on fashion, as she revolutionized the royal style. Visitors can see her embrace bold colors and innovative designs, such as her iconic red and purple suit, on display.
Furthermore, Anwar Hussein's photographs highlight Diana's commitment to arts and charity. Through his lens, viewers can witness her dedication to supporting various causes, including visiting hospitals and children's organizations, demonstrating her deep passion for using her platform to make a difference.
