This is the hidden secret behind Princess Diana's most iconic outfit

Watch our exclusive video to see Diana's most famous dresses up close and hear the secrets behind them

The upcoming Princess Diana exhibition 'Diana: Her Fashion Story' opens at Kensington Palace this Friday. She was one of the most-photographed women of all time. OK, probably THE most photographed woman of all time. From the pie-crust collars (and that see-through skirt) of her early 'Shy Di' years, to the Versace power dresses and sleek suits of the 1990s, every look she wore made front-page news and inspired trends the world over.

This major new exhibition is the first time ever that all her most famous outfits have been brought together in one place, from the midnight-blue Victor Edelstein dress that she wore to dance with John Travolta at the White House to a pink frilly Sloane Ranger blouse that she fell in love with on an early shoot for Vogue. It was designed by a certain duo, David and Elizabeth Emmanuel - who would go on to design Princess Diana's wedding dress. AKA the dress that inspired every 1980s bride and nearly caused a worldwide taffeta shortage, so long was its train.

But did you know that before she became the world's favourite fashion icon, she wasn't actually interested in clothes? And did you know she chose her outfits to suit the people she was going to meet, including small children who might want to stroke her or need something (a bright necklace, for example) to distract them?

Not able to make it to see the Princess Diana exhibition? Fear not. We went on the fashion field trip of our dreams to Hampton Court Palace (where the dresses were restored and mounted for the exhibition) to get a sneak preview just for you. See Diana's most famous dresses up close - and hear all about them in an exclusive talk with the lady responsible for the show, curator Eleri Lynn. Click on the video below to hear the amazing stories and little-known facts behind one of the greatest style icons ever...