A New Princess Diana Wax Figure Debuts in Paris — And She’s Wearing That Dress

A new wax figure of Princess Diana was unveiled today at the Musée Grévin in Paris, and the curators clearly decided to make a statement. Instead of her bridal gown, her charity-event wardrobe, or her sleek late-90s suits, the museum dressed her in the iconic black “revenge dress” — the shoulder-baring, velvet-trimmed, asymmetrical cocktail dress she wore in 1994 on the night Prince Charles publicly admitted his infidelity.

The dress has long lived in cultural memory as a symbol of Diana stepping into her own power, refusing to shrink, and rewriting the narrative with a single outfit. Recreating that energy in wax is a bold choice, and the figure has already sparked reactions ranging from admiration to debate.

Supporters see it as a fitting tribute — a reminder of Diana’s resilience, her style, and her ability to command a global audience without uttering a word. Others argue that choosing this look overly emphasizes the drama of her marriage rather than her humanitarian legacy.

Symbolism aside, the craftsmanship is getting praise: the posture, the hair, the softness around the face — all designed to echo that famous night when Diana walked into the Serpentine Gallery and the world briefly forgot to breathe.

The museum says the figure was chosen to “capture Diana at a moment of strength and modernity.” Whether that moment is the right one is fueling discussion, as Diana’s life continues to inspire not just nostalgia but real emotional stakes.

Cultural icons tend to evolve long after they leave us, and every new representation becomes part of the conversation about who they were — and who we continue to imagine them to be.