Secret Diana photo released 40 years later

Long-Lost Photo of Princess Diana and David Bowie Finally Revealed—But Why Was It Hidden for Decades?

A striking image of Princess Diana smiling alongside music icon David Bowie at a London concert in 1987 has finally surfaced after being kept under wraps for nearly 40 years. But the question lingers: Why was the royal family so eager to keep it hidden?

The story begins at Wembley Stadium, where a 25-year-old Princess Diana attended a charity concert featuring Bowie. The atmosphere was electric, and famed concert promoter Harvey Goldsmith arranged for an exclusive backstage photo opportunity between the princess and the legendary musician.

Photographer Denis O’Regan, who had worked with Bowie many times before, was invited to capture the moment. He recalls that Diana was excited about the idea of a photo with Bowie but unsure if the star would agree. Bowie said yes—and the now-famous photo was taken.

But then something unexpected happened.

The next morning, the palace requested that the photo not be published. It wasn’t due to anything inappropriate between Diana and Bowie. Instead, the issue was about someone who wasn’t even in the frame: Major James Hewitt.

At the time, Diana had arrived at the event with Hewitt—a man she was rumored to be romantically involved with, though their relationship wasn’t public knowledge yet. According to O’Regan, the palace wanted to avoid feeding the media frenzy. Hewitt had kept a low profile, and the press hadn’t caught on. “No one knew who he was, so I had no reason to photograph him,” O’Regan said.

Out of respect for the request—and perhaps to shield Diana from more scrutiny—O’Regan chose to withhold the photo. Even today, he stands by that decision.

There was additional controversy that night. Diana, always one to break with tradition, chose to wear leather pants to the concert—a bold fashion move that reportedly upset the royal family. But Diana defended her choice, saying she simply wanted to feel connected to the young audience.

Now, decades later, that once-suppressed photograph has finally emerged in a new biography of David Bowie, featuring never-before-seen images captured by O’Regan.

The photo, once considered too controversial to share, now serves as a poignant reminder: Diana was not just a royal—she was a woman navigating intense public scrutiny, forging her own path, and connecting with the world on her own terms.