TV & Movies

The Parent Trap's Elizabeth James Was Basically Princess Diana & These Looks Prove It

The two women have distinctly similar tastes in fashion.

by Orla Pentelow and Claire Fox
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Princess Diana & Elizabeth James
Tim Rooke/Shutterstock / Disney/Kobal/Shutterstock

Do you ever watch a film and just sit there and think, “Who on Earth does that actor remind me of?” Well, while re-watching a movie recently (it was for research purposes, I swear), I had that exact thought when Elizabeth James in The Parent Trap — aka the late British actor Natasha Richardson — came on screen. And the person she reminded me of? The late Princess Diana.

After a little nose around social media, I discovered I’m not the only one who’s had this thought while watching the 1998 classic. In fact, it turns out a few people actually thought that Richardson and Princess Diana were the same person.

Whatever your thoughts on this, it’s hard to deny that the resemblance between the two women is striking. Richardson’s decidedly ’90s haircut in The Parent Trap is straight out of the Diana playbook, with Elizabeth James rocking a short blond bob and fringe. Then there were James’ outfits. Oh, the outfits. So chic, so elegant, so distinctly Diana.

“Elizabeth James’ look in the classic film The Parent Trap was very similar in style aesthetic to Princess Diana’s, especially post-divorce from Charles,” NYC-based stylist Alison Bruhn tells Bustle. “Both women wore timeless pieces — understated but elegant.”

Did costume designer Penny Rose use the princess as inspiration? While she’s never said for certain, I can’t help but think at least one image of her was pinned on Rose’s mood board. Still not convinced? Just keep scrolling.

The Hair

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Let’s start with the hair. Not Diana’s youthful riff on the Farah Fawcett flicks, but the ’90s post-divorce crop. Natasha Richardson’s haircut as Elizabeth James definitely gave a picture of the late princess as reference to her hair stylist.

“Her hair is beyond chic, healthy and shiny, and frames her face to perfection,” Bruhn says. “An important lesson can be learned here. Throwing on a wrinkled button-down shirt and jean with worn-out shoes and hair in a messy ponytail will not create a look for you that is similar to Princess Diana’s ‘off-duty’ style. If you want to understand why, study a photo of her wearing this look.”

The Shift Dress

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When we first meet Richardson as Elizabeth James, not only does she have the Diana hair, but she is wearing a shift dress — a Diana staple for public appearances.

But why is it that such seemingly simple style choices remain so chic and memorable? “Part of the answer to this question is that it is not the actual piece of clothing being worn, but the woman wearing it — how she carries herself, how she takes care of the clothes she wearing, her posture, personality, and demeanor,” Bruhn says.

The White Coat

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Why does an unfitted oversized white jacket look amazing on both of these women? Whatever the reason, Richardson and Diana carried it off with aplomb. “Another reason classic dressing appeals and goes beyond feeling safe: It is associated with the most glamorous women of the past living beautiful lives in movies, on yachts, in far away places, and at elegant cocktail soirées,” Bruhn says. “Audrey Hepburn, Jackie Kennedy, Carolyn Bissette, Grace Kelly, and Princess Diana are legendary for their beauty and exquisite taste, and yet they were actually wearing very understated clothing.”

Princess Diana’s Versace coat was indicative of her becoming more adventurous with fashion post-divorce, whilst James uses hers as a light cover-up whilst taking Annie on a trip around London.

The Neutral Tones

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Throughout the film, James sports a neutral palette, with an enviable selection of beige and cream tops. As she is getting ready to leave (read: panicking) and meet ex-husband Nick Parker for the first time in 11 years, she’s aptly wearing a safari shirt, ready for her holiday. Diana had a similar color palette and shirt selection on a trip to Egypt with Prince Charles in 1992.

Once again, these understated color palettes could easily veer into boring, but on these two timeless style icons, they don’t. “Each item [...] can either look stunning or completely blah,” Bruhn says. “The twist is that the simpler the garment, the more important the fabric and quality becomes.”

The Blue Shirt

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The epitome of laid-back-yet-put-together-ease, the loose button-down shirt has become a go-to for off-duty royals since Diana first rocked them. “Her shirt is pressed and her makeup is minimal, but gives her a natural glow,” Bruhn says. “That is the secret to classic dressing. It is a style aesthetic that can be completely underwhelming and down right frumpy, or with a little effort, can be super elegant and discreetly sexy as well.”

Elizabeth James’ relaxed vibe in Napa Valley is very similar and a far throw from her more buttoned-up style choices in London.

The LBD

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“If I was seeing my ex, after 11 years, and I had your legs, I’d wear this little baby,” James’ butler Martin says, holding the slinky black dress. “You'll kill it.” And kill it she does.

The LBD was a well-known signature of Diana’s in her post-Prince Charles years, with the late royal opting for designs from Versace, Catherine Walker, and others. “A sleeveless little black dress with a boat neck that shows off the collarbone and toned arms with a heel, there is truly nothing more chic than that,” says Bruhn.

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