Dale Tryon, Baroness Tryon

Who was Dale Tryon, Baroness Tryon?

Dale Elizabeth Tryon, Baroness Tryon, was a colourful figure in royal court circles, being a close friend of both Prince Charles and Diana, Princess of Wales, and a successful businesswoman in the international fashion world, with the fashion label "Kanga" and couture line "The Dale Tryon Collection". "Kanga" also came to be her own nickname. Tryon gave her support to a number of charities including SANE—the mental health charity of which she was the Chairman.

Born Dale Elizabeth Harper in Melbourne, Australia, she was the eldest of three children of a wealthy publishing magnate. In early childhood Dale was diagnosed with Perthes disease, which affects the hip joint. which she suffered with until the age of nine after being in a children's hospital in irons from feet to chest. On her graduation, she worked in London as a public relations officer for the airline Qantas.

A committed socialite described by family and friends as having "tremendous joie de vivre," within two weeks of arriving in England she had met Anthony Tryon, Baron Tryon who was a member of Prince Charles's inner circle. It was through her husband that she first met the Prince of Wales, although he had attended Geelong Grammar School in Australia. Dale and Anthony married in 1973, and had four children: Zoe, Charles, and twins Edward and Victoria.