Princess Diana: A Modern Icon And Advocate For Change

As written in history books, for centuries the most powerful members of the Royal Family tended to come off as stuffy and conservative. That began to change in 1981 when 20-year-old Lady Diana Spencer married Prince Charles, bringing youthful energy and a new spirit to the staid monarchy. Diana was quickly embraced by the British people, and she reciprocated by becoming a popular icon who mingled with artists and celebrities, often venturing out into public, even when it meant wearing a disguise.

Diana's Mischievous Spirit

Diana was closely associated with a number of trailblazing rock stars in the 1980s, including Elton John and Freddie Mercury, the legendary lead singer of the band Queen. While her relationship with John was well-documented, her friendship with Mercury remained relatively secretive until actress Cleo Rocos recounted a remarkable story about the duo in her 2013 memoir.

According to Rocos, she became friends with Diana during the 1980s. One evening, the women were at the London home of comedian Kenny Everett, enjoying a night of watching The Golden Girls on mute and creating racy dialogue for the characters. Diana then asked the group about their plans for later that night, clearly eager for some fun.

The group had planned to go dancing at Royal Vauxhall Tavern, an iconic London gay club, and initially thought that Diana would find it uninteresting. However, she surprised them by wanting to join, boldly disregarding the potential consequences.

Rocos expressed her fears about what might happen if the future Queen of England were spotted in a rowdy gay bar. “We pleaded, ‘What would be the headline if you were caught in a gay bar brawl?’” she recalled. But Diana was in full mischief mode, with Freddie encouraging her, saying, “Go on, let the girl have some fun!”

Disguise and Adventure

By this time, Diana was not only the future Queen of England but also one of the most famous women globally. A staggering 750 million people watched her wedding to Prince Charles — over 16 percent of the world's population at that time — and the day was declared a national holiday in the UK. Paparazzi chased her everywhere, making her every move a subject of public scrutiny.

Given the frenzy around her, bringing Diana to the club required careful planning. Fortunately, extravagant outfits were common in mid-80s London gay clubs, presenting a perfect opportunity for disguise. Everett offered Diana the clothes he had intended to wear, including an army jacket, dark aviator sunglasses, and a leather cap. Diana, being a fashion icon herself, wore them with enthusiasm.

As Rocos wrote, “scrutinizing her in the half light,” they concluded that the world’s most famous icon might just pass for a rather eccentrically dressed gay male model. Confident in her ability to blend in, they escorted Diana to the club, ready to help her enjoy her night.

“We inched through the leather throngs and thongs until we finally reached the bar. We nudged each other like naughty schoolchildren,” Rocos recounted. Diana and Freddie shared giggles, and she successfully ordered a white wine and a beer. After completing the transaction, they rejoiced in their triumph, whispering, “We did it!”

Diana as an LGBTQ Advocate

At the end of that thrilling evening, Diana, exhilarated by the adventure, suggested they do it again sometime. While it remains unclear how many more nights she spent at Royal Vauxhall Tavern, Diana emerged as an early and influential advocate for LGBTQ rights at a time when many turned their backs on the community.

Despite Queen Elizabeth's objections, Diana passionately spoke out for AIDS patients during a period when misconceptions about the disease were rampant. In 1987, she made headlines worldwide by shaking hands with a dying AIDS patient at the UK’s first dedicated clinic for the disease, a gesture that shocked many who believed HIV/AIDS was easily transferable through casual contact.

Her activism grew from that pivotal moment, leading to hospital visits around the globe and donations to the National AIDS Trust and other charities. Diana consistently reassured people that it was safe to hug and interact with those living with HIV. “HIV does not make people dangerous to know, so you can shake their hands and give them a hug,” she declared to an audience in 1991. “Heaven knows they need it!”

This cause was particularly personal for Diana, as Freddie Mercury passed away from AIDS in 1991. Her relationships with members of the LGBTQ community extended beyond activism; she was a close friend of fashion designer Gianni Versace, who was tragically murdered just months before Diana's own death in a car crash.

Years after her passing, Diana was honored with a portrait in the Gay Icons exhibit at London’s National Portrait Gallery. Her beliefs clearly influenced her children, as Prince Harry and his wife, Meghan Markle, actively advocate for LGBTQ rights, with Harry standing up for one of the UK’s first openly gay soldiers during his military service in Afghanistan.