Nearly three decades after Princess Diana’s tragic death, her name still captures the world’s attention—and not only for her humanitarian legacy or royal allure.
A new book by author Edward White, Dianaworld: An Obsession, has stirred headlines by recounting a dramatic encounter involving Diana, Sylvester Stallone, and Richard Gere.
According to White, the two Hollywood heavyweights nearly came to physical blows over the late princess during a star-studded party hosted by none other than Sir Elton John in the 1990s.
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The incident, reportedly revealed to White by Elton John’s husband David Furnish, has since resurfaced in the media, offering a glimpse into the unlikely collision of royalty and raw Hollywood ego.
The Setting: A Party for the Ages
As White explained in an interview with Fox News, “It’s a story that [also] comes from Elton’s autobiography. He invited Sylvester Stallone and Richard Gere to a house party that Diana was also at. I mean, it’s Elton John, so probably everyone in the room was like an A-list celebrity or a member of some grand European royal family.”
The guest list alone set the stage for drama. But things quickly became tense when Stallone arrived and found Princess Diana in deep conversation with Richard Gere.
White added, “According to Elton John, Sylvester Stallone turned up with the intention of picking up Diana, which is wishful thinking in several ways… But he did that.”
I’m old enough to remember when both Donald Trump and Sylvester Stallone wanted to date Princess Diana.
I have placed four photographs below that are all connected to the first one. pic.twitter.com/AK4cek8beI
— The Rubber Duck ™ (@TheRubberDuck79) November 15, 2024
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The Spark: Diana and Gere’s Chemistry
As soon as Stallone entered the room, it was clear that Diana and Gere were enjoying each other’s company.
“Sylvester Stallone walked in and saw Diana in deep conversation with Richard Gere,” White noted.
“He felt that Stallone got angrier and angrier as the evening wore on, because Richard Gere was just dominating. That’s how he felt – that he was dominating the conversation with Diana.”
The tension only escalated. According to White, “At some point, from what Elton John says, Sylvester Stallone’s emotions got the better of him.
He then squared up to Richard Gere, and they had to be separated… It was these two alpha males squabbling over a woman who neither probably had a chance with, to be honest.”
Eyewitness Accounts: Elton and Furnish Recall
This tale isn’t just secondhand gossip.
Elton John himself recounted the episode in his 2019 memoir Me. He recalled an uneasy energy in the room: “As the rest of us chatted, I couldn’t help but notice a strange atmosphere in the room,” he wrote.
“Judging by the kind of looks he kept shooting them, Diana and Richard Gere’s newly blossoming friendship was not going down well with Sylvester Stallone at all.”
John went on to say, “I think he may have turned up to the party with the express intention of picking Diana up, only to find his plans for the evening ruined.”
Richard Gere and Sylvester Stallone’s feud over Princess Diana#RichardGere #PrincessDiana #SylvesterStallone #EltonJohn pic.twitter.com/ybP2tr9Ywf
— BANG Showbiz (@BANGShowbiz) October 6, 2019
As the evening progressed and guests were called to the dining room, both Gere and Stallone were missing. Elton sent Furnish to find them. What he discovered was more dramatic than anyone expected.
“He came back with both of them, but he was wearing a fairly ashen expression,” John wrote.
Furnish had stumbled upon the two actors “squaring up to each other, apparently about to settle their differences over Diana by having a fistfight.”
Diana’s Calm Amid the Storm
Perhaps the most striking detail of the story is Princess Diana’s reaction. Despite the heat between the two film stars, she reportedly remained unbothered. “She seemed completely unruffled,” John wrote.
It’s yet another example of Diana’s famed grace under pressure.
Though known for her warmth and compassion, the princess also had a quiet strength that enabled her to stay composed—even when Hollywood royalty started throwing punches over her.
Miss you so much 😢❤️ #PrincessDiana
Elton xx pic.twitter.com/jzAl4b9iNE
— Elton John (@eltonofficial) September 1, 2019
Diverging Memories: Stallone Denies the Incident
While the story has captured the imagination of readers and royal watchers alike, not everyone agrees on the details.
Sylvester Stallone, now 78, has publicly denied that the altercation ever happened, calling the tale a “complete fabrication.” Richard Gere, 75, has remained silent, offering no confirmation or denial.
Still, White stands by his sources. In an excerpt from his book published by People, he writes, “If John’s memory serves him well, Sylvester Stallone arrived ‘with the express intention of picking Diana up’ and was infuriated to see her ‘in rapt conversation’ with Richard Gere.”
Princess Diana comforts Elton John at Gianni Versace’s funeral in July 1997, just months before performing at the Princess’s funeral pic.twitter.com/9mFcUxYuRq
— Historic Vids (@historyinmemes) January 25, 2024
Legacy of a Princess
Although this incident didn’t escalate into a full-blown fight, it serves as yet another reminder of Diana’s magnetic presence.
Even among the biggest names in Hollywood, she was a force unto herself—elegant, charming, and wholly unforgettable.
Princess Diana passed away in August 1997 at the age of just 36. Yet stories like this one—part amusing, part tragic—continue to illustrate the profound impact she had on everyone she encountered, whether in Buckingham Palace or at an intimate dinner party in Beverly Hills.
And while we’ll never know for certain what might have happened if punches had been thrown, one thing is clear: Diana left a lasting impression not just on the world, but on the very people who ruled its spotlight.
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