PACKED LIVES
Nicky Lilley ran a hospital pharmacy until, three years ago, she became a full-time Princess Diana look-alike dfg
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.My firsT trip as Princess Diana was a shock; it was three years ago and I was paid just to sit and watch a nightly cabaret for a week on the overnight ferry between Helsinki and Stockholm. My luggage was lost on the way out so I couldn't work for three days till it turned up.
Now I travel with only an overnight bag and vanity case. I check ahead whether appearances are for day or evening and pack accordingly. Luckily Diana now has a simplified classic look. For day, I usually take a suit or a couple of shift dresses with a jacket. Mine aren't Chanel but Jaeger, Planet or other High Street clothes.
For evening I take a tiara because people think this suits the image, a pearl choker from Allders and "diamond" earrings from Butler and Wilson. I appeared on a Hollywood chat show once and they were only interested in how much my jewellery cost.
I have a pair of comfortable black high-heeled shoes that suit Diana's present image but if I'm working with the two Prince Charles lookalikes who are shorter than me, I wear low-heeled shoes like Diana used to. I don't take a handbag for myself but day and evening clutch bags are part of the Diana look. I am paranoid about getting holes in my tights and pack 10 pairs.
My vanity case is crammed with neutral lip and eye colours, plus a light foundation and, most important of all, lots of eyeliner and a shiny lip gloss. I carry curling tongs though I rely on hotel hairdriers.
I buy the latest edition of Hello when I'm travelling; it always has so many pictures of Diana that it gives me the opportunity to study her from all angles.
I often go to Germany where royal lookalikes are popular, and also to Italy and the States. The first time I went to Italy, they tried to pass me off as Diana herself, with bodyguards and a limo fleet. I felt very vulnerable and embarrassed and now check where Diana actually is before I leave for a trip so I can tell people that the real princess is in Angola or wherever.
I like travelling with the Prince Charleses and other lookalikes but mostly I am on my own. For the journey I wear anonymous clothes: a big coat, two sweaters, thermals, comfy jeans, socks and flat shoes - I feel the cold a lot. I never wear sunglasses, particularly at airports; they just say "look at me".
I'm an easy traveller, can sleep anywhere, eat and drink everything, don't suffer from jet lag and pack no lotions or potions. I don't take an alarm clock - hotels have wake-up systems. I always forget to take my camera, so I never get a picture of my stretch limo - my usual American travel prop.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments