A long-concealed photo showing Princess Diana smiling next to rock legend David Bowie at a London concert has finally surfaced, and its decades-long disappearance is sparking fresh questions.
Why the Photo Was Kept Under Wraps
The snapshot was taken in 1987 at Wembley Stadium during a charity concert that 25-year-old Diana attended to catch Bowie’s performance. Well-known concert promoter Harvey Goldsmith arranged the meeting, while acclaimed photographer Denis O’Regan — who frequently worked with Bowie — was brought in to capture the encounter.
According to O’Regan’s comments to the Daily Mail, Diana had asked if Bowie would be open to a photo together, and he happily agreed. The picture was taken, but the following day, Buckingham Palace requested that it not be made public.
It Wasn’t About Bowie — It Was About Diana’s Date
Interestingly, the palace’s request wasn’t driven by concerns over Bowie himself or any scandal in the image. The real issue lay with Diana’s companion at the event: Major James Hewitt.
At the time, rumors of an affair between Diana and Hewitt were beginning to swirl, and palace officials were keen to avoid fueling the gossip.
Even though Hewitt wasn’t actually in the photo — O’Regan noted that he kept his distance from photographers and his identity wasn’t widely known yet — his presence at the concert was common knowledge. “No one knew who he was, so I didn’t photograph him,” O’Regan said, adding that the relationship wasn’t public knowledge then.
Honoring the palace’s wishes and wanting to avoid getting pulled into royal drama, O’Regan chose not to release the photo and maintains he did the right thing.
Diana’s Fashion Sparks Debate
In her own words, Diana later shared how her choice of black leather trousers for the concert clashed with royal fashion expectations. Although the look raised a few eyebrows within palace walls, Diana defended it as a way to connect with the younger crowd at the show.
Finally Out in the Open
Now, decades later, the once-secret photo has been published in a new David Bowie biography. The book includes rare photos and behind-the-scenes stories from Denis O’Regan, bringing this long-hidden moment into the spotlight.
The image, which no longer threatens the royal family’s image, highlights how far palace officials went to manage and protect Diana’s public persona — even in seemingly harmless moments like this.
