Unlocking the Secrets Behind Princess Diana’s ‘Sacred’ Scene in The Crown
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The Crown, Netflix's cult series, has been captivating audiences worldwide with its dramatised depiction of the British royal family's life. As the show prepares to return on November 16, it promises to take viewers through the tumultuous period leading up to 2005, when Prince Charles married Camilla.
Among the most anticipated episodes are those set in 1997, the months preceding Princess Diana's tragic death.
Australian actress Elizabeth Debicki, who portrays Diana in the series, recently shed light on the behind-the-scenes process of recreating one of the most iconic moments in the Princess's life. This was when Diana was photographed by paparazzi while holidaying with billionaire Dodi Fayed and her two sons in Italy, just weeks before her untimely death.
The images, which show Diana in a blue swimsuit sitting on a diving board in Portofino, have become some of the most ‘iconic’ of all time. They are believed to encapsulate Diana's sense of isolation following her divorce from Prince Charles.
Debicki shared the painstaking efforts the team undertook to recreate these shots, likening the process to the recreation of the infamous 'revenge dress' scene.
The 'revenge dress' refers to the black, off-the-shoulder gown Diana wore on the day Prince Charles publicly admitted his affair with Camilla on national television in 1994.
'There was just something about that swimsuit and recreating that moment that felt very sacred,' Debicki said.
'It was very important we got it right. In a way, it reminded me a little bit of when we shot the revenge dress. It’s as close as possible to the real imagery.'
The actress went on to describe the emotional journey she undertook to embody Diana in these moments. 'As an actress, I get to enter into that space and discover what’s emotionally in that moment,' she said.
'With the revenge dress, I didn’t really know until I stepped out of the car. At this moment, I didn’t really know until I was sat with the sea under me.'
Netflix has confirmed that it will not depict the fatal crash that resulted in Princess Diana's death. Instead, the series focuses on the relentless pursuit of Diana and Dodi Fayed by the paparazzi.
Debicki and Khalid Abdalla, who portrays Fayed, recreated scenes of being chased by photographers, an experience that Debicki described as 'completely unbearable.'
Khalid Abdalla added his perspective on the experience, saying, 'I experienced, for the first time in my life, of being in a car as it’s moving and having paparazzi come next to the window and … bang.'
The actor also spoke about the brief, intense relationship between Diana and Dodi, which lasted only six weeks. 'Dodi was never really known, and so he was never really mourned,' Khalid said.
'Their relationship, from beginning to end, was six weeks. That’s one of the things that very often shocks people. We were kind of exploring it in real time.'
The Crown has been lauded for its meticulous attention to detail, from the costumes and sets to the recreation of historical events.
The series' production team goes to great lengths to ensure accuracy, often consulting with historians and experts.
The process of recreating the iconic images of Diana in Portofino was no exception. The team worked tirelessly to replicate the setting, the swimsuit, and even the lighting to capture the essence of the original photographs.
The actors, too, underwent rigorous preparation to portray their characters authentically. Debicki, for instance, studied Diana's mannerisms, speech patterns, and body language to bring the beloved princess to life on screen.
The Crown's portrayal of the relentless paparazzi pursuit of Diana and Dodi also required careful planning and execution. The actors were put through simulated chases to understand the pressure and fear their characters would have experienced.
The Crown's upcoming season promises to continue its tradition of delivering a compelling, nuanced portrayal of the British royal family's life. As viewers await the new episodes, these behind-the-scenes insights offer a fascinating glimpse into the making of this acclaimed series.
What are your thoughts on the upcoming season of The Crown? Will you tune in to watch it? Let us know in the comments below!
Among the most anticipated episodes are those set in 1997, the months preceding Princess Diana's tragic death.
Australian actress Elizabeth Debicki, who portrays Diana in the series, recently shed light on the behind-the-scenes process of recreating one of the most iconic moments in the Princess's life. This was when Diana was photographed by paparazzi while holidaying with billionaire Dodi Fayed and her two sons in Italy, just weeks before her untimely death.
The images, which show Diana in a blue swimsuit sitting on a diving board in Portofino, have become some of the most ‘iconic’ of all time. They are believed to encapsulate Diana's sense of isolation following her divorce from Prince Charles.
Debicki shared the painstaking efforts the team undertook to recreate these shots, likening the process to the recreation of the infamous 'revenge dress' scene.
Elizabeth Debicki recreates Princess Diana’s ‘revenge dress’. Image source: Netflix.
The 'revenge dress' refers to the black, off-the-shoulder gown Diana wore on the day Prince Charles publicly admitted his affair with Camilla on national television in 1994.
'There was just something about that swimsuit and recreating that moment that felt very sacred,' Debicki said.
'It was very important we got it right. In a way, it reminded me a little bit of when we shot the revenge dress. It’s as close as possible to the real imagery.'
The actress went on to describe the emotional journey she undertook to embody Diana in these moments. 'As an actress, I get to enter into that space and discover what’s emotionally in that moment,' she said.
'With the revenge dress, I didn’t really know until I stepped out of the car. At this moment, I didn’t really know until I was sat with the sea under me.'
Netflix has confirmed that it will not depict the fatal crash that resulted in Princess Diana's death. Instead, the series focuses on the relentless pursuit of Diana and Dodi Fayed by the paparazzi.
Debicki and Khalid Abdalla, who portrays Fayed, recreated scenes of being chased by photographers, an experience that Debicki described as 'completely unbearable.'
Khalid Abdalla added his perspective on the experience, saying, 'I experienced, for the first time in my life, of being in a car as it’s moving and having paparazzi come next to the window and … bang.'
The actor also spoke about the brief, intense relationship between Diana and Dodi, which lasted only six weeks. 'Dodi was never really known, and so he was never really mourned,' Khalid said.
'Their relationship, from beginning to end, was six weeks. That’s one of the things that very often shocks people. We were kind of exploring it in real time.'
The Crown has been lauded for its meticulous attention to detail, from the costumes and sets to the recreation of historical events.
The series' production team goes to great lengths to ensure accuracy, often consulting with historians and experts.
The process of recreating the iconic images of Diana in Portofino was no exception. The team worked tirelessly to replicate the setting, the swimsuit, and even the lighting to capture the essence of the original photographs.
The actors, too, underwent rigorous preparation to portray their characters authentically. Debicki, for instance, studied Diana's mannerisms, speech patterns, and body language to bring the beloved princess to life on screen.
The Crown's portrayal of the relentless paparazzi pursuit of Diana and Dodi also required careful planning and execution. The actors were put through simulated chases to understand the pressure and fear their characters would have experienced.
The Crown's upcoming season promises to continue its tradition of delivering a compelling, nuanced portrayal of the British royal family's life. As viewers await the new episodes, these behind-the-scenes insights offer a fascinating glimpse into the making of this acclaimed series.
What are your thoughts on the upcoming season of The Crown? Will you tune in to watch it? Let us know in the comments below!
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