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How Emma Corrin's style in 'The Crown' compares with Princess Diana's real looks

By Heather Cichowski

November 17, 2020
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By Heather Cichowski

Princess Diana remains a fashion icon, and one of the highlights of Season 4 of The Crown is seeing Emma Corrin wear some of Diana's re-imagined looks opposite Josh O'Connor as Prince Charles.

With the new episodes of the critically acclaimed series finally released to Netflix on Nov. 15, we get to see all the fabulous fashion and compare Diana's real life outfits to how the costume designers imagined them for the show.

Scroll through the gallery (or click through if you're on desktop) to see Princess Diana real life fashion moments in compared to her style on The Crown.

Photos: © Tim Graham Photo Library via Getty Images and Des Willie/Netflix

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White blouse, green sweater and midi skirt

Diana, who was then Lady Diana Spencer, was seen outside her flat in November 1980 wearing a white blouse, comfy green sweater and matching sheer tights. A navy plaid skirt and flats rounded out the ensemble.

The scene was recreated in The Crown by Emma Corrin, but with a few modifications. A navy peacoat was added and the sweater was teal as opposed to Kelly green. Emma's skirt was lighter, and she went bare legged with white flats.

The specific items might have had artistic licence, but the feel of the outfit and moment is exactly the same.

Photo: © Princess Diana Archive/Hulton Royals Collection/Getty Images and Des Willie/Netflix

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Maroon cardigan, white blouse and pinstriped skirt

Prince Charles's fiancé was spotted leaving her flat on Coleherne Court in November 1980 clad in a maroon cardigan, white Victorian blouse with black bow, a long pinstriped skirt and brown boots.

The Crown depicted a similar look for a scene in season four by keeping the bowed blouse, but swapped the dark cardigan for a blue sweater vest. It was a clever choice because the blue would play off Diana's blue sapphire and diamond engagement ring!

Photo: © Hulton Archive/Getty Images

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Sweater, boots and socks

Charles and his fiancé participated in a sweet photocall in May 1981 at Craigowan Lodge on the Balmoral estate. She donned a colourful sweater, turtleneck, brown cords and green wellington boots with red socks.

There are echoes of Diana's look during this scene on The Crown with Prince Philip (Tobias Menzies) at Balmoral. The actress had on a casual outfit consisting of a layered shirt and patterned sweater with dark cords. She even had contrasting socks over her utilitarian boots.

Photo: © Tim Graham Photo Library via Getty Images and Sophie Mutevelian/Netflix

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Yellow overalls and floral print blouse

Lady Diana wore pastel yellow overalls with a floral blouse to a polo match at Windsor Great Park on July 12, 1981. Oversized sunglasses and a quilted navy floral bag finished the pastel outfit.

The Crown recreated the iconic yellow overalls and floral blouse in one of its scenes, but added an equally cute floral cardigan with frilled neckline.

Photo: © Anwar Hussein/Getty Images and Des Willie/Netflix

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Shimmering blue frilled dress

Princess Diana captivated on the dance floor with Charles during a gala dinner in Sydney in 1983. She donned a Bruce Oldfield gown and matching heels with sparkling jewels.

There is no doubt that this glamorous dress on The Crown is a breathtaking tribute to the original.

Photo: © Jayne Fincher/Princess Diana Archive/Getty Images and Alex Bailey/Netflix

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Blue skirt suit and white bow blouse

Diana memorably wore a Cojana skirt suit with pussy-bow blouse when she and Charles announced their engagement on Feb. 24, 1981.

What can we say? The resemblance between Josh and Emma as Charles and Diana, respectively, is uncanny! The Crown's costume designers have created her blue suit and blouse perfectly. The same goes with Charles's suit!

Photo: © Tim Graham Photo Library via Getty Images and Des Willie/Netflix

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Wedding gown

Princess Diana's wedding gown, designed by David and Elizabeth Emanuel, is iconic. The statement style featured puff sleeves with lace cuffs, a fitted waist and a full skirt. And it had a 25-foot (about 7.62 m) train and equally expansive veil.

The young bride's outfit was topped with her family's Spencer tiara.

The Crown's costume designer Amy Roberts did not want to replicate the gown, but the full-sleeved style is instantly recognizable and it has all of the essential elements.

Photo: © Tim Graham Photo Library via Getty Images and Des Willie/Netflix and Des Willie/Netflix

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Tartan dress

The Princess of Wales sported a Caroline Charles red tartan dress for the 1982 Braemar Games near Balmoral, Scotland.

Emma Corrin's Diana wears a very similar style in the series, complete with high neckline, princess seams and gathered sleeves, albeit in a different check.

Photo: © David Levenson/Getty Images and Des Willie/Netflix

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Pink sweater and plaid capris

At her country home of Highgrove on July 18, 1986, Diana was photographed wearing a hot pink sweater paired with coordinating plaid capri pants.

On The Crown, Emma's character paid tribute to the pink preppy look. However, she traded the white loafers for white roller skates!

Photo: Tim Graham Photo Library via Getty Images © and Des Willie/Netflix

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Sparkling red gown

Diana wore this spellbinding red dress on Dec. 8, 1982 to meet legendary ballet dancer Rudolph Nureyev at The Royal Opera House in London.

Emma's Princess Diana was in a dead-ringer of the dress, but she added a few accessories including a tiara, metallic clutch and a Royal Family Order on her chest.

Photo: © Tim Graham Photo Library via Getty Images and Des Willie/Netflix

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Green dress with white collar

Princess Diana (holding a baby Prince William!) sported a Donald Campbell dress while touring Government House in Auckland, New Zealand in April 1983.

Emma's Diana wore a simplified version of the pointed prairie collar and polka dot dress. The actress was seen on the Netflix show wearing a plain green dress with more traditional white lace collar.

Photo: © Jayne Fincher/Princess Diana Archive/Getty Images and Des Willie/Netflix

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Blue floral dress

Diana wore this two-tone flower dress while on her first overseas tour with Charles in Brisbane, Australia.

The Crown presented a softer option of the blue-and-white-style but kept the full sleeves and bow tie at the waist of the original.

Photo: © Tim Graham Photo Library via Getty Images and Des Willie/Netflix

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Yellow skirt suit and white pumps

While visiting the Bay of Islands in New Zealand, Diana wowed in a yellow dress with matching buttoned jacket paired with a John Boyd hat. The cheerful outfit was finished with white shoes and bag.

Diana's pale yellow skirt suit on The Crown was reminiscent of the look thanks to the pleated midi skirt, stand collar, large buttons and white accessories.

Photo: © John Shelley Collection/Avalon/Getty Image and Des Willie/Netflix

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Blue bow skirt suit and netted fascinator

Diana wore a prim blue skirt suit with pleated detail and bowed waist complete with a netted hat to meet with then-Australian Prime Minister Bob Hawke and his wife Hazel in March 1983 as part of a royal tour of the country.

The Crown recreated the blue ensemble down to every detail, including Diana's pearl choker. The Netflix show also stayed true to Prince Charles's grey suit with red flower in his lapel's buttonhole.

Photo: © John Shelley Collection/Avalon/Getty Image and Des Willie/Netflix

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Black and red check suit

The People's Princess donned a bold red-and-black Escada skirt suit with white top during a walkabout to greet royals fans in Tenterden, Kent on Oct. 18, 1990.

On The Crown, Diana wore a similar skirt suit, but with a plain red skirt and a more simplified windowpane check jacket.

Photo: © Jayne Fincher/Princess Diana Archive/Getty Images and Ollie Upton/Netflix

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Strapless dress and scarf

The Prince and Princess of Wales surprised at the Cannes Film Festival in May 1987 for a gala night. She dazzled in a pale blue Catherine Walker gown and matching scarf.

The obvious difference here is the colour. On The Crown, Emma stepped out as Diana in a purple brocade strapless dress and scarf. We think it was sublime, too!

Photo: © Tim Graham Photo Library via Getty Images and Ollie Upton/Netflix

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White brocade dress

Diana stepped out in a regal Victor Edelstein gown to the Brooklyn Academy of Music to see the Welsh National Opera Gala production of Falstaff on Feb. 2, 1989.

Emma captivated viewers on The Crown with a taffeta replica of the dress and bolero that had all of the previous shimmer and elegance.

Photo: © and Des Willie/Netflix

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