Princess Diana Disguised as Man for Night Out with Freddie Mercury

A new biography, 'Dianaworld: An Obsession' by Edward White, recounts Princess Diana's legendary night out in the late 1980s when she disguised herself in male drag to visit London's Royal Vauxhall Tavern, a famous gay bar, with Queen frontman Freddie Mercury, comedian Cleo Rocos, and DJ Kenny Everett. Despite warnings from her friends that the venue was 'not for you,' Diana was insistent and wore a camouflage army jacket, a leather cap, and dark aviator sunglasses to stay unrecognized. According to Rocos' earlier memoir and White's book, the disguise was successful, and Diana blended in completely, remaining unnoticed by other patrons. The group stayed for only one drink before Diana quietly returned to Kensington Palace, later sending back Everett's clothes. The biography notes this episode as part of Diana's pattern of seeking moments of freedom and anonymity, sometimes using disguises to escape her royal constraints. While the story sounds extraordinary, it is corroborated by multiple accounts and fits with other anecdotes of Diana's adventurous spirit.