Princess Diana's 1985 White House dance with Travolta nearly didn't happen

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 14 Nov, 22:49 · Archive

Princess Diana danced with John Travolta at a 1985 White House dinner, but the actor needed persuasion to participate.

Princess Diana danced with actor John Travolta at a 1985 White House state dinner hosted by President Ronald Reagan and first lady Nancy Reagan. The moment has become iconic in both royal and Hollywood history. However, the dance almost did not occur. White House social secretary Gahl Burt orchestrated the encounter after speaking with Nancy Reagan. Once dancing had begun, Burt approached Travolta and encouraged him to dance with Diana, despite his initial reluctance.

That evening Diana also danced with President Reagan, Clint Eastwood, Tom Selleck and others. In preparation for the dinner, the Marine Band rehearsed music from 'Saturday Night Fever' to be performed during the event.

Nearly four decades later, the dance is being celebrated at 'Princess Diana: Love, Life, Legacy — A Life of Giving,' an exhibition at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library in Simi Valley, California. The exhibition features over 700 artifacts connected to Diana's life, presented through a partnership between the Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation and Institute and Renae Plant's Princess Diana Museum. On display is the Victor Edelstein-designed velvet gown Diana wore that night.

How it is being reported

• Princess Diana’s dress she wore to White House dance with John Travolta showcased in new exhibitThe Reagan Library is displaying over 700 Princess Diana artifacts, including the dress she wore while dancing with John Travolta in 1985.New York Post · 14 Nov, 22:40
• Princess Diana’s legendary White House dance with John Travolta almost didn’t happenPrincess Diana danced with Clint Eastwood, Tom Selleck and Ronald Reagan that evening, but it took coaxing to get John Travolta onto the floor.Fox News · 14 Nov, 19:00

In this story: Princess Diana · John Travolta · Ronald Reagan · Nancy Reagan · White House · Ronald Reagan Presidential Library

This summary was written by AI from the headlines and standfirsts above, and states as fact only what at least two outlets report. How we use AI · Report a problem · Corrections log