The Memory Dress

Chapter Thirty-Nine

THIRTY-NINE

Meredith

APARTMENT 8

KENSINGTON PALACE

1997

William has been looking forward to this day for weeks. They all have. Nerves are running high. With the exception of Catherine of course, Meredith is the only one among them who has spent time in Diana’s company, but today they will all get a chance to shake her hand, to have their contribution acknowledged, and to be personally thanked for it.

A butler shows them through the apartment into a large drawing room and asks them to wait. Catherine is already here. So are the dresses. All evenly spaced on rails with identical silk hangers. Meredith takes in her surroundings. The cheerful yellow walls, a piano where the princes are said to have learned to play, covered in framed family photographs, treasured cuddly toys nestled underneath a formal painted portrait of the princess—the private and the public colliding right in front of them.

And then Diana arrives, and it is as if the entire room stands to attention, holds its breath, no one—with the exception of Catherine—quite knowing how to stand, what to say, what is appropriate. Then comes the release, the exhale. Diana bustles through the room, embraces Catherine, showers them all in praise, and the tension and expectation deflate. Faces ease, smiles return as she moves to the rails. As her hands touch each dress, she wants to know “Who made this one…and this one?”

Meredith takes a seat in one of the deeply upholstered armchairs while Diana speaks to William. She keeps her distance but their hushed tones and the glances her way suggest they may be talking about her. William’s eyes shine. She wants him to enjoy this moment for himself. He shows Diana the pale pink, wild silk dress with its detailed floral embroidery. The one he knows is Meredith’s favorite. Created when she was blossoming too.

Later they pose for a group photograph before the dresses will be packed up and sent to America. The auction is Prince William’s idea, Diana tells them all. “William is missing, he should have been with us today. He would have loved to meet you all. I miss him terribly. I miss my William.”

Meredith’s eyes find her husband. Is he as moved by this as she is? But William has made his way to the door they entered through, his eyes cast down to his feet, trying not to be noticed by anyone as he ducks out of the room.