Doll News Summer 2018 - 131

Among the American doll artists
busy creating Princess Diana bride
dolls were Mary Ellen and Charles
Gilkie. With the birth of Prince William,
just a few mother and son dolls were
created to honor the occasion. The
Gilkies created a limited edition of
Princess Diana in a white polka-dot
dress and straw hat. In her arms, she is
holding a baby doll of Princess William
in a long white gown and bonnet. This
pair of dolls was issued as a limited
edition in 1983.
One of the events shared in 1983
by the Prince and Princess of Wales
was a Royal Tour. This included their
participation in the Annual Klondike
Days celebration (now called K-Days)
in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. At the
event, late 19th century attire is "de
rigueur" and the royal couple dressed
up as well. The House of Nisbet
marked the visit with a limited edition
The Danbury Mint created this very popular trio of porcelain Royal Wedding dolls.
of 1,000 sets of dolls, styled "Royal
Tour LE 25." Naturally, the styrene
royal couple were dressed just like the
Prince and Princess of Wales.
Prince Charles (P1015) wears an
Edwardian-style suit, with a walking
stick. Princess Diane (P1016) wears a
replica of the long peach-pink silk and
lace gown, complete with a bustle and
a matching flower-trimmed hat. The
original gown worn by the princess
was originally made for actress
Francesca Annis for her role as Lillie
Langtry in the television series, "Lillie."
The original Lillie was both a famous
actress and mistress to King Edward
VII, the great, great grandfather to
Prince Charles. More can be learned
about the royal visit and the gown
at Michael H. Smith, PhD's website:
princessdiana.ca.
On Wednesday, June 25, 1997,
inspired by Prince William, seventynine gowns and dresses belonging
Shown here are the two versions of the Danbury Mint 14-inch vinyl Princess Diana
to Diana, Princess of Wales were put
"Royal Wardrobe" doll. With them are two of the fashions also available for them. The
up for auction by Christie's Auction
1987 versions are on the left, while the commemorative versions are on the right.
House. All proceeds from the auction
and the sale of the catalog benefited
Among the many buyers were the Franklin Mint, the
numerous charities favored by Princess Diana. The title
Lams (owners of the Great American Doll Company) and
page of the catalog stated that the sale was held on a "notSuzanne King and Maureen Rorech Dunkel, creators of
for-profit" basis. This was perhaps the most memorable
traveling-shows in which the gowns and dresses were
"closet cleaning" event ever! Some of the gowns were
displayed to benefit charity. While Mrs. Dunkel's collection
spiritedly fought over, such as the "Elvis" gown, designed
by Catherine Walker, the "Travolta" the Élysées gowns, both was called "Dresses for Humanity," Mrs. King's collection
of Princess Diana's garments and other royal collectibles
designed by Victor Edelstein.
DOLL NeWS * ufDc.Org

131

http://www.princessdiana.ca http://www.ufDc.Org

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Doll News Summer 2018