Princess Diana’s friend recalls their friendship.Photo:Tim Graham Photo Library via Getty Images
Tim Graham Photo Library via Getty Images
For makeup artist Mary Greenwell, her memories ofPrincess Dianaare not centered around what lipstick she used or even how she taught her how to apply foundation.
“I used to go and see her at the palace and just hang out with her. She used to call me up say, ‘Can you come and see me?’ so I would go round there and give her makeup lessons and hang out with her and the boys,” the British makeup artist told pal Susannah Constantine in the latest edition of her podcastMy Wardrobe Malfunction.
“It was an extraordinary time, to be in this person’s life on such an intimate level, without any expectation,” said Greenwell, who first worked with Diana in 1981 on the shoot of her first BritishVoguecover.
Princess Diana began to request Greenwell to do her makeup at official events and shoots, and soon a friendship blossomed.
Greenwell played a pivotal role in re-defining Princess Diana’s image over the 1980s and 1990s, getting her to ditch the blue and green eyeliner for a more classic, sophisticated look.
When asked if it is any different working with royals compared to her celebrity clients (which includes Cate Blanchett, Linda Evangelista, Amanda Seyfried and Lily James to name a few, Greenwell said, “Not at all. Everyone wants to look their best, to be made to feel comfortable. And also frankly, we are all the same inside, whether you have a queen title or a Mrs. or Mr., we are all human beings. I really love the Jordanian royal family, I think they are extraordinary.”
Mary Greenwell, pictured in July 2022, talks about friendship with Princess Diana.Dave Benett/Getty Images
Dave Benett/Getty Images
As for one of her most public clients, she says she thinks Diana enjoyed being in the spotlight, partly because of the good work it allowed her to do but also because it was the opposite of her home life in an unhappy marriage.
As was her ability to hold court. Recalling a lunch at Kensington Palace with a group of government ministers, Greenwell said she remembers how she commanded the group conversation with skill.
“Everyone sat down to eat and we all had a lovely time — she was very charismatic and everyone stopped talking to find what she was going to say,” recalls her former friend, who became emotional at one point during the podcast chat. “It was very much a work lunch for her and for everyone else at the table, but it was interesting how she did control the room when needed, much more so than people actually realize.”
source: people.com
