Never before seen portrait of Princess Diana will be displayed at Kensington Palace

Gazing into the distance, Princess Diana is the picture of regal poise in a never-before-seen portrait that is set to go on display for the first time. 

The black and white photo, which will form part of a Kensington Palace exhibition celebrating royal photography, was taken by celebrated photographer David Bailey in 1988. 

It was part of a famous collection commissioned by the National Portrait Gallery, but kept by the renowned photographer for his personal archive. 

It is easy to see why Bailey, now 84, treasured the photograph. It captures a 27-year-old princess in her prime, a young mother-of-two who was growing in confidence in her role as a royal. 

The people’s princess: The black and white photo, which will form part of a Kensington Palace exhibition celebrating royal photography, was taken by celebrated photographer David Bailey in 1988 

It is easy to see why Bailey, now 84, treasured the photograph. It captures a 27-year-old princess in her prime, a young mother-of-two who was growing in confidence in her role as a royal. Pictured, Princess Diana with Charles, William and Harry that same year

It is easy to see why Bailey, now 84, treasured the photograph. It captures a 27-year-old princess in her prime, a young mother-of-two who was growing in confidence in her role as a royal. Pictured, Princess Diana with Charles, William and Harry that same year

That year Diana joined Charles on tours of Thailand and Australia (pictured) and made outings with her young sons, William, then six, and Harry, then four

That year Diana joined Charles on tours of Thailand and Australia (pictured) and made outings with her young sons, William, then six, and Harry, then four

That year Diana joined Charles on tours of Thailand and Australia and made outings with her young sons, William, then six, and Harry, then four. 

She went skiing with Sarah Ferguson, took a trip to Paris and won the mother’s race at William’s school sports day. 

This sense of quiet confidence in the woman she was becoming is captured in the steely, stoic expression on her face in Bailey’s portrait, which is sure to draw crowds. 

The Life Through a Royal Lens exhibition, which opens on Friday, will feature iconic photographs of the Royal Family over the last 200 years.

Bailey, 84, is an acclaimed fashion and portrait photographer who photographed the Queen at Buckingham Palace in 2014 to mark her 88th birthday. 

English portrait photographer Norman Parkinson was initially suggested to take the photos, however Diana herself chose Bailey – who had previously shot Princess Margaret’s husband, the Earl of Snowdon.  

Himself an esteemed photographer, the work of Antony Armstrong Jones will also be featured in the exhibition alongside other images taken by Royal Family members themselves.  

Parkinson will feature in the collection alongside famous photographers including Rankin, Annie Leibovitz and Cecil Beaton – whose spent three decades photographing Her Majesty. 

Life Through a Royal Lens will feature iconic photographs of the Royal Family over the last 200 years - including the stunning image of Diana, taken by David Bailey in 1988

Life Through a Royal Lens will feature iconic photographs of the Royal Family over the last 200 years – including the stunning image of Diana, taken by David Bailey in 1988

Parkinson will feature in the collection alongside famous photographers including Cecil Beaton - whose spent three decades photographing Her Majesty. She is pictured in 1953

Parkinson will feature in the collection alongside famous photographers including Cecil Beaton – whose spent three decades photographing Her Majesty. She is pictured in 1953

Her Majesty is pictured wearing Garter robes in a portrait photographed by acclaimed royal photographer Cecil Beaton in 1969

Her Majesty is pictured wearing Garter robes in a portrait photographed by acclaimed royal photographer Cecil Beaton in 1969

Princess Margaret, whose husband Lord Snowdon's work features in the exhibit, is pictured in a portrait shot by Cecil Beaton aged 19 in 1949

Princess Margaret, whose husband Lord Snowdon’s work features in the exhibit, is pictured in a portrait shot by Cecil Beaton aged 19 in 1949

Among the images are 19th century photographs of Queen Victoria sitting for her Diamond Jubilee portrait in 1897

Among the images are 19th century photographs of Queen Victoria sitting for her Diamond Jubilee portrait in 1897

Among the images are portraits, taken by Beaton, of Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother as well as 19th century photographs of Queen Victoria sitting for her Diamond Jubilee portrait. 

The exhibit includes pictures of Queen Victoria on a visit to Balmoral and King George digging potatoes with Queen Mary. 

Photoshoots such as the Duke of Cambridge’s cover of Attitude Magazine and the Duchess of Cambridge’s centenary issue of British Vogue in 2016 will ‘explore how photography and image remain central to the public’s perception of the modern royal family today’. 

Queen Victoria is pictured in Balmoral riding her horse Fyvie, with her servant John Brown in 1863

Queen Victoria is pictured in Balmoral riding her horse Fyvie, with her servant John Brown in 1863

Queen Elizabeth is pictured in Buckingham Palace Garden, photographed by Cecil Beaton in 1938

Queen Elizabeth is pictured in Buckingham Palace Garden, photographed by Cecil Beaton in 1938 

Queen Mary digs with a spade within a potato plot in Windsor, with King George beside her in May 1917

Queen Mary digs with a spade within a potato plot in Windsor, with King George beside her in May 1917

The exhibit features a length portrait of Princess Alexandra of Denmark in 1860 which was sent to Queen Victoria and Prince Albert while they were considering potential brides for their eldest son, Albert Edward

The exhibit features a length portrait of Princess Alexandra of Denmark in 1860 which was sent to Queen Victoria and Prince Albert while they were considering potential brides for their eldest son, Albert Edward

Alongside the professional shots, pictures of the Royal Family taken by members of the public will also go on display in the exhibition. 

The photos were submitted by royal watchers around the world in response to a request by Historic Royal Palaces.

The photos had to be of official engagements and there was a particular interest in walkabouts. Paparazzi-style shots taken by the public of the royals spending time privately were not accepted.

Historic Royal Palaces conservators Ola Ruiz-Aguillo and Nelson Garcia handle a print of Queen Elizabeth II, In Lightness of Being, taken by light artist Chris Levine in 2004

Historic Royal Palaces conservators Ola Ruiz-Aguillo and Nelson Garcia handle a print of Queen Elizabeth II, In Lightness of Being, taken by light artist Chris Levine in 2004

Historic Royal Palaces conservators Ola Ruiz-Aguillo (left) and Victoria Richards looking at a reproduction of the earliest surviving photograph of Prince Albert

Historic Royal Palaces conservators Ola Ruiz-Aguillo (left) and Victoria Richards looking at a reproduction of the earliest surviving photograph of Prince Albert

Historic Royal Palaces conservators Ola Ruiz-Aguillo (right) and Victoria Richards cleaning a display case against a backdrop of photographs of the British Royal Family

Historic Royal Palaces conservators Ola Ruiz-Aguillo (right) and Victoria Richards cleaning a display case against a backdrop of photographs of the British Royal Family

Historic Royal Palaces conservator Ola Ruiz-Aguillo cleaning a display case containing an album of images the royal family used to demonstrate their contribution to the war effort during the First World War

Historic Royal Palaces conservator Ola Ruiz-Aguillo cleaning a display case containing an album of images the royal family used to demonstrate their contribution to the war effort during the First World War

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The Life Through a Royal Lens, which opens on Friday, will feature iconic photographs of the Royal Family over the last 200 years

The Life Through a Royal Lens, which opens on Friday, features photographs taken by professional photographers and by members of the public

The Life Through a Royal Lens, which opens on Friday, features photographs taken by professional photographers and by members of the public  

The entrance to the Life Through a Royal Lens exhibit featuring iconic photographs of the Royal Family over the last 200 years

The entrance to the Life Through a Royal Lens exhibit featuring iconic photographs of the Royal Family over the last 200 years

A room within the Life Through a Royal Lens exhibit at Kensington Palace which opens tomorrow

A room within the Life Through a Royal Lens exhibit at Kensington Palace which opens tomorrow 

Claudia Acott Williams, Curator at Historic Royal Palaces, said: ‘Ever since Queen Victoria and Prince Albert first embraced the revolutionary new technology of photography, the medium has shaped how the world views the British monarchy.

‘It has allowed the Royal Family to offer fascinating insights into their life and work, transforming the royal image and creating an unprecedented relationship between crown and subjects.

‘Through our new exhibition at Kensington Palace, Life Through A Royal Lens, we look forward to welcoming our visitors into the world of royal photography, to explore the history behind the iconic image of modern monarchy we know today.’

Life Through a Royal Lens opens at Kensington Palace on 4 March 2022 and is included in palace admission.