However, that summer of 1992 was a watershed in Diana's marriage with the publication of Andrew Morton's book "Diana, Her True Story", detailing her distresses and her husband's relationship with another woman. With the upcoming tour being touted as the 'kiss and make up' trip, Diana didn't want to participate in any more pretense and refused to go . However, over the late summer holiday at Balmoral she was persuaded - Paul Burrel claims by Prince Philip, 'Royalty' magazine says the Queen, Andrew Morton credits her friend James Colthurst - to make the trip for the sake of the monarchy. Despite reports that the pair were visibly miserable the whole time, contemporary photographs show that on her solo engagements Diana was her usual smiling and professional self. In the company of her husband, however, she made her true feelings known (below left). It was also noted that she chose to wear the Spencer tiara instead of the Queen Mary one given to her by the Queen, as a sign of independence. It was clear that things could not continue as before, and discussions for a separation were started upon their return.

Diana first wore this restyled version during the Wales' tour of India in early 1992, and also later that fall to a gala celebrating the Queen's 40 years on the throne. When she auctioned 79 of her gowns for charity in 1997, this was Lot 52, described as "a formal dinner dress with embroiderd bolero jacket", and fetched $51,750. The buyer donated it to Elizabeth Taylor, who auctioned it off in 1999 to benefit the American Foundation for AIDS Research (below right.)