Flying Monkey brings the life and dresses of Princess Diana

There may have never been a stronger royal voice than that of the late Princess Diana: a name so eternally ingrained in our global consciousness that at the mere mention, tears still flow. Princess Diana came to represent nobility dressed with compassion – her immense style was punctuated by her charity and enlarged by her family principles, and despite the cultural enormity of her figure,  it all somehow fit into petite and striking gowns; fourteen of which were displayed by Plymouth's The Flying Monkey in their latest exhibit, "Princess Diana: The People's Princess."

The world-renowned exhibit featured Princess Diana's stunning dresses that once helped to characterize the Princess as a cultural icon. In its last U.S. appearance, "Princess Diana: The People's Princess" created an atmosphere that was conducive to bringing out the best of Princess Diana: this wasn't only about fashion; this was about the first Princess to prove to the people that compassion overwhelms ostentation. The Princess' actions showed that nobility grants opportunity rather than prestige and that beauty stems from the composition of one's actions. The Princess' legacy has revolved around her groundbreaking work to reduce prejudice against AID's patients, contributions to the homeless, and clearing countless minefields. More precisely, Diana treated the common man as an equal and not a subject. All together, Diana's dresses effectively reflected her beauty inside and out.

The exhibit, owned by Maureen Dunkle, a homeowner in nearby Holderness, NH, has been featured by the likes of Disney and remains the largest collection of Diana dresses in the world. The Flying Monkey's exhibit was the last showing before Ms. Dunkle bids farewell to the beloved dresses in an upcoming auction this summer.

The exhibit has attracted the attention of people from all over New England and consistently brought new patrons to the venue during its April 25-May 8 run.

"I know people who have driven five hours and stayed for the night just to see the exhibit," said Flying Monkey employee, Brooks Bartlett. 

The showcase included six short video documentaries that followed aspects of Diana's life, ranging from her royal wedding that was viewed by 750 million people to her unfortunate Parisian demise in 1997 (a funeral watched by nearly 1 billion people). The exhibit also featured a short film that provided a clear examination of the Princess' fame and controversies. Among them, most notably, was her falling out and eventual divorce with Prince Charles of Wales. 

Due to the recent worldwide infatuation with the marriage of Diana's son, Prince William, to Kate Middleton, the event could not have come at a better time. Audiences ranged from all ages and regions, and the recent influx of British Royal Euphoria helped the Flying Monkey to capitalize on their acquisition. 

"It's all been cool to see," said visitor Anna Christenson, "I was surprised that they're actually in Plymouth. When I heard about it was like - in Plymouth? Really? It's been amazing to see them myself."

Christenson's favorite dress was the 1993 classic formal dinner dress of silk crepe, and it was apparent that the audience could have chosen any of the fourteen dresses as their favorites.

"Having some experience as a tailor, I've been truly amazed by how some of the dresses drape and flow… you really have to know about dress construction to accomplish that," said Ellaine Melquist, a volunteer with the Granite State Ambassadors. 

"Princess Diana: The People's Princess" will be on display at The Flying Monkey through May 8 with tours running hourly.