Did You Know, Princess Diana Disguised Herself in Male Drag to Party at a Gay Bar with Freddie Mercury

A new biography reveals how Princess Diana went undercover for a night out at London’s Royal Vauxhall Tavern, blending in with the crowd alongside Freddie Mercury and Kenny Everett.

April 29, 2025: Princess Diana Once Disguised Herself in Male Drag to Party at a Gay Bar with Freddie Mercury

In a legendary story capturing her adventurous spirit, Princess Diana once disguised herself in male drag to sneak into a London gay bar with Queen frontman Freddie Mercury, according to Edward White’s forthcoming biography, Dianaworld: An Obsession.

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White recounts the daring night, describing it as a moment when Diana “secretly revealed hidden aspects of her true self.” The event took place at London’s famed Royal Vauxhall Tavern, a vibrant hub for the gay community.

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The escapade was orchestrated by Diana’s friends, comedian Cleo Rocos and the late radio DJ Kenny Everett, both of whom were regulars on London’s showbiz scene. Diana was eager to join them despite Everett’s warning that the venue was “full of hairy gay men.” Determined, she slipped into a camouflage army jacket, tucked her hair under a leather cap, and donned dark aviator sunglasses.

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“She could just about pass as a slightly eccentric young man,” Rocos later recalled. To their delight, Diana managed to stay completely unnoticed, blending seamlessly with the crowd. The group reportedly stayed for just one drink before Diana quietly returned to Kensington Palace, later sending Everett’s clothes back along with a thank-you note saying she had a “fabulous time.”

The biographer notes that while the story may sound extraordinary, it aligns with other known instances where Diana disguised herself for private outings, such as donning a wig and glasses during a visit to Ronnie Scott’s jazz club with Hasnat Khan.

The night, now iconic among royal watchers and LGBTQ+ historians, underscores Diana’s bond with the gay community and reflects her own search for acceptance and normalcy beyond palace walls.

In an earlier interview, Rocos reminisced about the day, explaining how after a lively lunch, Diana ended up dancing barefoot at Kenny Everett’s home before they called Mercury to join them. It was Mercury, she said, who insisted Diana be allowed to tag along for their night out: “Oh, let the girl have some fun.”

Though Diana only stayed about 20 minutes, Rocos remembered how effortlessly she fit in, joking, “She looked like Freddie’s gorgeous male model boyfriend — and she loved it.”

Princess Diana, known for her charisma and compassion, divorced King Charles III in 1996 and tragically passed away a year later in a car crash in Paris at the age of 36. Her spirit of defiance, humor, and deep connection with marginalized communities continues to inspire to this day.

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Princess Diana, Freddie Mercury, Kenny Everett, Cleo Rocos, Royal Vauxhall Tavern, Diana biography, Dianaworld An Obsession, LGBTQ history, celebrity news, British Royals