Bohemian Rhapsody: Is THIS the most outrageous thing Freddie Mercury ever did?

Outrageous on stage, Freddie was often shy and retiring at home with his friends and family. And yet, there are also many stories of outrageous private moments when he was able to let loose with those he trusted the most. One of the most unbelievable has almost become an urban myth. Did the Queen frontman really do THAT with Princess Diana? The truth, told by someone who was there, is just a delicious as anyone could possibly hope.

A recent episode of anarchic TV comedy show Urban Myths recreated the moment, but the reality was even more extraordinary.

Freddie, Diana, Kenney Everett and Cleo Rocos really did go on a crazy night to gay venue The Vauxhall Tavern and nobody there recognised the princess in her daring disguise.

In her books The Power of Positive Drinking, and Kenny and Me: Bananas Forever, Rocos revealed Diana was at Freddie’s house and asked to tag along when the group decided to head out on the town. 

They dressed her up as a man and hit the bar, convinced they would be discovered immediately. Extraordinarily, what happened next reduced the group to giggles.

Rocos said: “When we walked in… we felt she was obviously Princess Diana and would be discovered at any minute. But people just seemed to blank her. She sort of disappeared. But she loved it.

“Freddie said, ‘Go on, let the girl have some fun.’ Scrutinising her in the half-light, we decided that the most famous icon of the modern world might just – just – pass for a rather eccentrically dressed gay male model…

“We inched through the leather throngs and thongs, until finally we reached the bar. We were nudging each other like naughty schoolchildren.

“Diana and Freddie were giggling, but she did order a white wine and a beer. Once the transaction was completed, we looked at one another, united in our triumphant quest. We did it!”

It seems impossible to believe and yet nobody in the crowd ever realised they had been standing with the Princess of Wales. For a woman who never escaped the relentless spotlight, it must have been a tremendous moment of freedom.

The princess, of course, looked equally good in jeans or a gown and certainly had the height and looks to pull off the deception.

Fans still mourn the loss of Freddie and Diana (and the irrepressible Kenny) but this story just adds to the myth and magic of their memories.