One of Princess Diana's Gowns Has Unusual 'Bridgerton' Season 3 Cameo

Princess Diana attends an event wearing a blue off the shoulder gown

(Image credit: Getty Images)

published 14 May 2024

When Bridgerton season 3 hits Netflix on Friday, pay close attention to youngest Bridgerton sibling, Hyacinth, and her regency-era dresses. While she isn't part of the installment's leading romantic pair—this season belongs to Colin Bridgerton and Penelope Featherington—her wardrobe contains something no other Bridgerton has: fabric cut from one of Princess Diana's gowns.

Florence Hunt, who plays Hyacinth on the series, revealed the surprise cameo Diana's wardrobe makes in the series on the Bridgerton season 3 red carpet last night. "I wore this beautiful blue dress, and I believe it was a cut off from Princess Diana's dress that she wore at some point," Hunt told People in an interview.

The cast of Bridgerton in a set for the regency era show, including Florence Hunt, who plays Hyacinth Bridgerton, in a pastel blue dress — On *Bridgerton* season 3, Hyacinth Bridgerton wears a sky blue dress that actress Florence Hunt says includes a piece of a Princess Diana gown.

Hunt didn't specify which of her costumes was cut from Princess Diana's royal wardrobe, nor did she share the original look her fabric came from. Early shots of the show's production include Hyacinth lounging in the Bridgerton family's sitting room in a pale blue dress with short cap sleeves and floral embroidery along the hem—so at least one candidate has already been spotted.

The actress, 17, did reveal to People that the Diana-oriented dress is her favorite she wears on the show. (Naturally.)

There are several looks from Princess Diana's best fashion moments that may have come across Bridgerton costume designer John Glaser's desk as he crafted the looks for the upcoming season. The late royal wore several dresses throughout the 1980s and early 1990s in shades of pale and dusty blue, ranging from her twinkly Bellville Sasson off-the-shoulder gown for a 1981 gala at the Victoria and Albert museum, to a strapless chiffon dress for the Cannes Film Festival in 1987.

Princess Diana wearing a blue gown with an off the shoulder neckline and floral detailing on the skirt — While the exact Princess Diana gown used wasn't revealed, likely suspects include ethereal blue pieces like this off-the-shoulder dress by Bellville Sassoon.

Princess Diana at Cannes in 1987 wearing a blue dress — Princess Diana also wore a pale, ethereal blue to the Cannes Film Festival in 1987.

Florence Hunt from 'Bridgerton' wears a cutout black dress to the Bridgerton season 3 premiere — For the season premiere last night, Florence Hunt wore a black dress with a sheer stomach panel. Her blue gown with a fragment of Lady Di's wardrobe felt like "a piece of history," she told *People*.

Whether Hunt shares exactly which Princess Diana moment made it from the archives on to her costume, there's one part of the dress that she's saving just for herself. After filming, the show's crew allowed Hunt to "keep a little piece of the fabric," she told People.

“I just thought it was amazing," she said. "I felt like I was wearing a piece of history."

Halie LeSavage is the senior fashion and beauty news editor at Marie Claire, where she assigns, edits, and writes stories for both sections. Halie is an expert on runway trends, celebrity style, emerging fashion and beauty brands, and shopping (naturally). In over seven years as a professional journalist, Halie’s reporting has ranged from fashion week coverage spanning the Copenhagen, New York, Milan, and Paris markets, to profiles on industry insiders including stylist Alison Bornstein and J.Crew womenswear creative director Olympia Gayot, to breaking news stories on noteworthy brand collaborations and beauty launches. (She can personally confirm that Bella Hadid’s Ôrebella perfume is worth the hype.) She has also written dozens of research-backed shopping guides to finding the best tote bags, ballet flats, and more. Most of all, Halie loves to explore what trends—like the rise of doll-like Mary Janes or TikTok’s 75 Hard Style Challenge—can say about culture writ large. (She justifies almost any purchase by saying it’s “for work.”) Halie has previously held writer and editor roles at Glamour, Morning Brew, and Harper’s Bazaar. Halie has been cited as a fashion and beauty expert in The Cut, CNN Underscored, and Reuters, among other outlets, and appears in newsletters like Selleb and Self-Checkout to provide shopping recommendations. In 2022, she was awarded the Hearst Spotlight Award for excellence and innovation in fashion journalism. She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in English from Harvard College. Outside of work, Halie is passionate about books, baking, and her miniature Bernedoodle, Dolly. For a behind-the-scenes look at her reporting, you can follow Halie on Instagram and TikTok.

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