Queen Camilla has a Dior handbag with a royal connection that is hard to miss. The Queen has been seen carrying the iconic Lady Dior, a bag famously associated with Princess Diana. Now, one fashion commentator has jokingly raised a pointed question about Camilla carrying the accessory. Does she know why it is called the Lady Dior?
It is not exactly a secret. The handbag was named in honour of Diana after she became closely associated with the design in the 1990s. So, seeing Camilla repeatedly carrying a bag whose very name is tied to her husband's first wife has naturally caught people's attention online.
Queen Camilla's Love for Lady Dior Bag
Fashion commentator Hanan Besovic, known online as @ideservecouture, brought the connection to his followers' attention in an Instagram video. Besovic is known for his humorous fashion commentary, memes and videos that break down major fashion moments and personalities in an entertaining way. His account has become a popular destination for people who enjoy fashion history with a healthy dose of humour.
In the video, Besovic jokingly asked: 'Can someone tell Camilla how Lady Dior bag got her name? Because I don't know if she knows.'
He then pointed out that Camilla has been spotted with the bag 'everywhere', repeatedly emphasising just how often she has carried it.
But Besovic's main point was about the bag's history. He explained that the handbag was originally called Chouchou, a French word meaning 'favourite'. It was designed by Gianfranco Ferré for Dior and presented to Diana by Bernadette Chirac, the then First Lady of France.
According to Besovic, Diana carried the bag so often that it quickly became associated with her. 'So in 1996, they named it Lady Dior in her honour,' he explained.
His playful conclusion was even more pointed: 'You don't have to tell Camilla anything. Just send her my video.'
How Lady Dior Got Its Name
The Lady Dior did not actually begin life as the Lady Dior. The brand created the structured handbag under the name Chouchou before it was presented to Diana during her 1995 visit to Paris. Bernadette Chirac gifted the bag to the princess during a visit connected to the opening of a Paul Cézanne exhibition at the Grand Palais.
Diana quickly made the design her own. She was photographed carrying it on several occasions, including during an official visit to Argentina. Dior has also noted that she requested the bag in navy to complement her eyes.
The connection became so strong that Dior renamed the handbag Lady Dior in 1996. The name was a nod to Diana's title before she married Charles, when she was knowns as Lady Diana Spencer.
The bag's recognisable Cannage quilting, structured shape and dangling Dior charms have since made it one of the fashion house's signature designs.
Diana, Camilla & Charles
Of course, the interest in Camilla carrying the Lady Dior is not simply about fashion history. Diana and Camilla have a complicated connection through King Charles III.
Charles married Diana in 1981, while his relationship with Camilla was also a major subject of public attention during the marriage. In a 1994 television documentary, Charles acknowledged that his marriage had become 'irretrievably broken down' and confirmed that he had been unfaithful. Meanwhile, Diana later discussed the breakdown of their marriage during her 1995 Panorama interview.
Charles and Diana divorced in 1996. Charles and Camilla married on 9 April 2005. Following Charles's accession to the throne in September 2022, Camilla became Queen Consort.
History between the three has also prompted comparisons between Diana and Camilla over the years, including discussions of their public appearances and fashion choices. Diana's influence on fashion remains particularly strong, with pieces associated with her still attracting attention decades later.
