Diana: A Princess Remembered

The new exhibition at Kensington Palace combines the famous Mario Testino images with a collection of Diana's dresses, plus an audio visual feast of images and interviews telling Diana's story.

On entering the palace you're thrown into Diana's world in the form of large video screenings showing key moments in her life, such as her wedding, the birth of her sons, and various elements of her charity work. Being one of the most photographed women in the world we see a real mixture of style statements. As a lady standing beside me rightly remarked, 'Look at the big hair and shoulder pads!'

Wander upstairs and you'll see a collection of some of Diana's most elegant gowns and Testino's huge photographs. This gives you a very different, almost timeless, Diana. Where the simplicity just lets her natural radiance shine through.

Testino gives a great tip we can all use when photographing people. In order to get Diana sitting less formally, he plonked himself down on the sofa and simply demonstrated the laidback look he was after. His goal for this famous photo shoot, which poignantly turned out to be her last, was all about capturing a natural feeling. Inspired by that relaxed moment after a night out, when you've removed your jewellery and kicked off shoes.

The first room of Testino photographs are all black & white. The backgrounds have only a hint of something in them, if anything at all, keeping your eyes firmly on Diana. The only distraction is the cheery yellow wall on which they are displayed. Probably designed to eliminate any air of sorrow but not exactly what you expect in a royal palace!

Next it's as if the palace has taken decorating tips from Testino. The walls and furniture are all white, to match his images of Diana wearing white against a white background. This gives the whole room a wonderful sense of calm. Testino achieves the sense of effortless photographs, which just happen to be perfectly lit and perfectly composed.

You're then given the opportunity to sign a book sharing your thoughts and memories of Diana. The entrance fee entitles you to continue on a complete tour of the palace, finishing as always at the gift shop. Now I'm not normally one for such things but I did succumb to a couple of postcards, thinking if a photographer could make me look half as good as Testino did Diana I'd say, 'Sign me up now!'

Exhibition runs until the end of the year
Admission £12
See website for further details