Edmontonians will get a chance to see Princess Diana’s wedding dress, among other royal artifacts and heirlooms including rare home movies and photos, up close when its showcased in the city early next year.
The ‘Diana, A Celebration’ exhibition that chronicles the life and work of Diana, Princess of Wales, opens at West Edmonton Mall Feb. 9 until June 9, making Edmonton one of just two Canadian stops to feature the exhibit since it began in 1998.
"West Edmonton Mall is excited to be bringing this exhibit to the mall and to provide our guests with another unique experience. We believe people will be captivated by the exhibit and Diana, the woman, once again," said Sheri Clegg. spokesperson for West Edmonton Mall.
"We think the exhibit will be well-received and will draw people from not only Edmonton and area but people from around Alberta and the country. Diana connected with people at so many different levels."
The 7,000-square foot exhibit will be located on Level Two, in Phase I, of the mall, and will features 150 objects throughout nine galleries.
Among the items are Princess Diana’s royal wedding gown with its 25-foot long train and 28 of her designer dresses.
"There is a fashion connection," Clegg said.
"Our guests love fashion and Diana set the trends. Her wedding gown and her dresses do fill a lot of the exhibit."
Family heirlooms, personal mementos, paintings and rare home movies and photos will also be featured.
Visitors will be taken on a journey from when Diana was a young school girl to when she was a Kindergarten teacher who captured the heart of the prince and the public, to her time as a royal bride and devoted mother.
‘Diana, A Celebration,’ has travelled extensively throughout the U.S. since it began more than a decade ago, and has only had one other Canadian stop in Toronto.
The exhibit is produced by Arts and Exhibitions International and all profits generated go to Diana, Princess of Wales Memorial Fund.
West Edmonton Mall is offering a holiday package for those interested in seeing the exhibit. The package includes two exhibit tickets, two audio tours, one exhibit catalogue and one commemorative ornament for $79.95. The deal runs until December 24.
Regular tickets will go on sale in January. Clegg says there will be various ticket options but adult prices will range from $23.10 to $27.30. More details on tickets and events leading up to the exhibit opening will also be announced ni January.
Diana died in a car crash in Paris on Aug. 31, 1997 at the age of 36.
