Actress Florence Hunt, who is known for her role as Hyacinth Bridgerton in the period drama Bridgerton, opened up about the royal connection to one of her looks at the premiere of season 3 of the show, reported People.
Bridgerton’s current season's outfit draws inspiration from true royal history.
Speaking at the season 3 premiere of the show, Florence shared that she had the honour of wearing a dress cut made from the same fabric as one of Princess Diana's dresses.
"I wore this beautiful blue dress, and I believe it was a cut off from Princess Diana's dress that she wore at some point," shared Hunt at the New York City premiere of the show.
"A cut off from one of her dresses that they made for Princess Diana and they made a dress out of that fabric, which was mental. It's crazy, yeah," she added, noting it is favourite look her character wears in the new season.
The star, who plays Hyacinth Bridgerton in the Netflix series, added that the wardrobe team on the show "let me keep a little piece of the fabric" after filming.
"I just thought it was amazing. I felt like I was wearing a piece of history," said Hunt.
Princess Diana's greatest style moments over the years include her wearing statement blue dresses.
In 1981, the late princess donned an ethereal off-the-shoulder Bellville Sassoon ballgown at a Victoria & Albert Museum exhibition in London, and four years later, she sparkled in an emerald blue Emanuels gown while dancing with her husband, Prince Charles, during the Melbourne royal visit.
Princess Diana also notably wore a light blue strapless chiffon gown by Catherine Walker at the 1987 Cannes Film Festival, followed ten years later by wearing a sparkling blue shift dress by Jacques Azagury in one of her last looks in London in 1997.
Along with Princess Diana's memorable fashions, Bridgerton has also been inspired by the late princess' childhood home, reported People.
A scene from The Thursday Murder Club, where four retirees turn amateur detectives in a quiet British village shaken by a real murderInstagram/NetflixUK
Stills from Andaz Apna Apna
Stills from Andaz Apna Apna
Vinay Kumar Sinha
Rahul’s casual dismissal of that controversy has added fuel to the fire
Rahul Bhatt sparks controversy over 'insensitive' remarks about sisters Alia and Pooja Bhatt
Rahul Bhatt, fitness trainer and son of veteran filmmaker Mahesh Bhatt, has found himself at the centre of a social media storm following controversial remarks about his half-sister, Alia Bhatt. In a recent interview, Rahul drew comparisons between Alia and their older sister Pooja Bhatt, calling the latter more talented, attractive, and principled.
The comments, which many have labelled inappropriate and insensitive, have sparked widespread criticism online. During the interview, Rahul stated, “In my opinion, she (Alia) is not even half of what my real sister Pooja is. Not in talent, not in looks, not in terms of being sexy. In front of my sister, she is ‘paani kam chai’ (watery tea). Amongst the siblings, the most talented and the most moralistic is Pooja.”
Social media users reacted strongly, questioning why Rahul would compare his sisters in such personal terms. Several users were particularly disturbed by his reference to their appearance and sex appeal, pointing out that such comparisons within a family cross boundaries of propriety. One comment read, “This is disturbing. Why talk about your sisters like that? It’s not just weird, it’s wrong.” Another post said, “There’s nothing respectful about comparing your siblings’ attractiveness in public.”
The backlash also reignited conversation around a decades-old controversy involving Mahesh Bhatt and Pooja Bhatt. Rahul was asked about the infamous 1990s magazine cover where the father-daughter duo shared a kiss, which had stirred public outrage at the time. Dismissing the criticism, Rahul said, “It doesn’t make any difference. It’s like water off a duck’s back. We know the truth, and we’ve seen everything since childhood.”
Rahul’s casual dismissal of that controversy has added fuel to the fire, with critics saying it reflects a broader issue of the Bhatt family being insensitive to public perception and boundaries. Many users questioned the need for bringing up old incidents in a bid to defend new and equally questionable statements.
As of now, neither Alia Bhatt nor Pooja Bhatt has issued any public response to Rahul’s remarks. Both actors, known for their significant contributions to Indian cinema, have typically kept family matters private despite living in the public eye.
This episode has also sparked debate over the role of public figures in maintaining respect when discussing family matters in the media. Observers say such comments, especially when involving women’s appearance and personal qualities, reinforce problematic attitudes and fuel unnecessary controversies.
While Rahul Bhatt is not as prominent in the entertainment industry as his father or sisters, his comments have made headlines and placed the Bhatt family in the spotlight for reasons beyond their creative work. For many, this serves as a reminder that public platforms come with responsibility, and that family ties should not be trivialised or dissected for attention or comparison.
The backlash is unlikely to subside soon, especially as fans and followers of Alia and Pooja continue to express disappointment over the way the situation has unfolded. Whether or not Rahul chooses to clarify or apologise remains to be seen.