Elegance Through Ages
Oh, who doesn't love a royal wedding? The pomp, the pageantry, and, oh, those gowns! Royal wedding gowns have been setting trends and sparking daydreams around the globe for decades. Each dress tells a story, not just of fashion, but of the time, the culture, and the personality of the bride herself. So, join us as we take a fabulous journey, reliving some of the most spectacular and awe-inspiring royal wedding gowns of all time.
Queen Elizabeth II
We can't talk about royal wedding gowns without mentioning the iconic Queen Elizabeth II. In 1947, Princess Elizabeth married Philip Mountbatten in a stunning gown that captured the post-war spirit of hope and renewal. Designed by Norman Hartnell, this dress featured intricate embroidery, over 10,000 seed pearls, 22 buttons down the back, and a 15-foot train. Hartnell was inspired by the painting "Primavera" by Botticelli, which symbolizes the arrival of spring. Queen Elizabeth wore the Queen Mary diamond fringe tiara as her "something borrowed." This belonged to her grandmother, Queen Mary of Teck.
Queen Soraya of Iran
In 1951, Soraya Esfandiary-Bakhtiari married Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi in an elaborate wedding. Her showstopping dress, designed by Christian Dior, featured 20,000 feathers and 6,000 diamonds.
Grace Kelly, Princess of Monaco
One of the most iconic royal wedding gowns in history is that of Grace Kelly. In 1956, the American actress married Prince Rainier III of Monaco in a romantic and elegant gown designed by her wardrobe designer, Helen Rose. Her MGM bosses gave it to her as a gift. The dress featured antique Belgian lace, seed pearls, a high neckline, long sleeves, and a pleated, bell-shaped silk faille taffeta skirt.
Princess Diana
"The People's Princess" was admired for her grace and humanitarian efforts and her impeccable style. On July 29, 1981, she captivated the world with her wedding to Prince Charles in a stunning ivory and silk taffeta gown designed by David and Elizabeth Emanuel. The dress featured a dramatic train of 25 feet and was adorned with lace, sequins, and 10,000 pearls. The gown, which also had a ruffled neckline, a puffy skirt, and puffy sleeves, was truly perfect for the princess. Inside the dress was a blue bow on the waistband for Diana's "something blue" and a tiny gold horseshoe for good luck.
Kate Middleton
The Prince and Princess of Wales' wedding on April 29, 2011, was a fairytale come to life. And Kate Middleton's elegant Alexander McQueen gown was nothing short of magical. Designed by Sarah Burton, the dress featured a fitted lace bodice, a V-neckline, long lace sleeves, and a full skirt that mimicked a flower opening. The delicate lace appliques on the gown were hand-cut and represented each country in the United Kingdom. Because an old Irish Carrickmacross lace-making technique was used, Kate used this detail as her "something old." Like Diana, Kate wore a blue ribbon on the inside of her dress as her "something blue."
Meghan Markle
Meghan Markle married Prince Harry in 2018 in a beautiful Givenchy gown designed by Clare Waight Keller. Unlike many of the other dresses we've discussed, hers was much more understated. The simple yet stunning dress featured a bateau neckline, three-quarter sleeves, and a 9-ft train. The veil was also adorned with flowers representing the 53 countries of the Commonwealth, along with California, where she is from. To make her look even more special, two important symbols were sewn into her veil: a piece of blue fabric from her first date with Prince Harry and embroidered crops of wheat to symbolize love and charity.
The Lasting Legacy of Royal Wedding Dresses
Royal wedding gowns are more than just beautiful dresses. They are works of art that represent a moment in time and embody the spirit of their wearers. From Queen Elizabeth II to Megan Markle, each gown has captured the hearts and imaginations of people all over the world. And as royal weddings continue to captivate us, we can't wait to see what stunning gowns will grace the aisle in the future.
