WEDDING FLOWERS: Royal Wedding Dresses
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Showing posts with label Royal Wedding Dresses. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Royal Wedding Dresses. Show all posts

Queen's 70th Wedding Anniversary: the Queen's wedding dress


What happens when you put together ration books, a row about silk worms and a 15th century Italian masterpiece? Why, one of the most famous royal wedding dresses of all, that's what. The Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh are celebrating their 70th wedding anniversary today. Seven decades may have passed since the world first got a glimpse of that gown but it still retains its power to wow. On this special day, here's a look back at the Queen's wedding dress....


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It was, of course, designed by Norman Hartnell, the British couturier who has been mentioned so often in recent weeks he might just be the most talked about fashionista of 2017 despite passing away almost forty years ago. The Streatham boy made good was already a firm royal favourite when he got the commission everyone wanted in 1947 but if you think this frock was an easy win for him then think again.


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First of all, Hartnell had to submit several designs to the Palace for approval. We all know that brides, particularly royal brides, want a big say in how they look but despite all his confidence, his royal warrant and his reputation as one of the designers of the day, Hartnell had a queen consort, a queen dowager and a queen regnant in waiting all casting their eye over his ideas. The one the Royal Family picked was inspired by Boticelli's Primavera, the rebirth of spring. Remember, those great PR brains, Queen Mary and Queen Elizabeth, were involved in this. They knew how much this wedding meant to a country trying to get back on its feet after the long, hard years of war. Their bride, Princess Elizabeth, wasn't just to look regal. She was a symbol of hope and the frock had to fit.




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Having got that box ticked, Hartnell then had to make the dress and being as his royal clients only gave him the go ahead in August 1947 for the November 20th wedding, there was no time to lose. So far, so nerve wracking. But then the famous row broke out about where the silk had come from. Just two years after the end of World War Two there was much anxiety and a paper furore when it was suggested that the worms making the material might have links to Japan, an enemy in the conflict. A public announcement that Chinese silkworms based at Lullingstone Castle in Kent were busy doing whatever it is they need to do to make the fabric led to widespread relief. Meanwhile, the weavers at Winterthur Silks near Dunfermiline were turning it into the material that would shimmer into the Abbey.


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 As all that was going on, women around Britain were trying to do their bit to help the princess who had to contend with rationing. At the time, fabric was still limited and Elizabeth had to save up her coupons like everyone else. However, she received a flood of ration coupons to help her obtain the fabric she needed from generous women who wanted to help her look her best. The only problem was that giving someone your ration coupons was against the law. They all had to be returned to sender although the government intervened and gave the future queen a few extra clothing coupons to help make a fitting frock.

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She needed them. The gown itself featured a heart shaped neckline, fitted waist with a dropped V shape and panelled skirt. Attached to the shoulders was a fifteen foot court train made of tulle and embroidered with flowers. There was also a tulle veil. Hartnell had it decorated with crystals and 10,000 seed pearls which were imported from the USA.

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The result was kept under lock and key at his design studio until the day before the wedding when it was taken to Buckingham Palace. Rumour has it that Hartnell even had a member of staff sleep at his offices to stop anyone breaking in and getting so much as a glimpse of the design. It was worth the wait. The dress was an instant hit and credited with inspiring a change in bridal fashions. It was displayed around the UK and has been on exhibition several times since. The Queen has worn many outfits in her record breaking reign but her wedding dress remains one of the most special. As she celebrates her Platinum Wedding Anniversary, it still appears as magical as it did on November 20th 1947.

Royal Wedding Dresses: Princess Anne


Anne, Princess Royal on the day she married Captain Mark Phillips, November 14th 1973

Everything in fashion comes around again and right now, the sleeves on the wedding dress worn by Anne, Princess Royal, for her first marriage on November 14th 1973 are so hot they need a bucket of ice. Statement and then some, they are the most famous feature of this elegant gown which was wowed over by millions as the only daughter of the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh said 'I do' on November 14th 1973 to Captain Mark Phillips. The marriage ended in 1992 but the couple remain friends and the dress remains a royal icon.




Part of its magic comes from the fact that for its time, it was modern and on the money. It was about as contemporary as royal wedding dresses got then which is why it screams seventies from every inch of its silky sleeves and skirt.






That's perhaps a surprise when you consider that this gown was inspired by the Tudor era. It was designed by Maureen Baker from the company, Susan Small, and Princess Anne is said to have had a major input into the pure white gown.




The high necked bodice has an air of Elizabeth I about it, though thankfully Anne skipped the full ruff effect and settled for some sparkles and pearls instead. The embellishments from the collar work down into the lines that mark out the top of the dress. The bodice is very fitted while the skirt fans out into a gentle effect of fullness. But it's the sleeves that separate this royal wedding dress from the rest.




You can't miss them. There's statement and then there's full on, in your face, did someone say sleeves. The overlayer of the cuffs is cut into a long, draping medieval inspired trumpet shape and then underneath is a chiffon puff just to highlight that this dress is sleeve centred.




It works, partly because the rest of the dress is so simple. Yes, there is embroidery on the train (this is a Windsor wedding, that's compulsory) but it's so subtle that the creative cut and chic shaping take centre stage with the sleeves adding the box office moment all royal wedding gowns need.




OK, they also need a train. Anne kept it relatively simple here with around seven feet of silk following her up the aisle and her veil is a gentle and rather delicate affair that covers the train to add the air of romance.




All in all, this is a dress that has more than stood the test of time. The most unadorned of all the gowns worn at the Windsor weddings of the modern era, its simple appearance belies a multitude of clever designs that came together in a dress to remember. Over forty years on, Anne's royal wedding gown remains a classic of modern times.

Royal Wedding Dresses: Stephanie of Luxembourg


Stephanie of Luxembourg in Elie Saab on her wedding day, October 20th 2012
(photo Grand Cour Ducale)

When you're the bride at what's being billed as the last big royal wedding of a generation then there's quite a lot of pressure on the dress. There was a huge amount of interest in the marriage of Hereditary Grand Duke Guillaume of Luxembourg and Stephanie de Lannoy on October 20th 2012, partly because of the stellar royal guest list and partly because the groom was the last heir to a throne of his generation to say 'I do'. When Stephanie stepped onto the red carpet leading to Luxembourg Cathedral, she certainly wowed in a wedding dress that did royal and modern all at the same time.




The gown, in palest cream, was by Lebanese designer, Elie Saab, and is heavily lace dominated. From the start of the scoop neck to the tip of the train, every part of this dress is covered in lace and it's rather lovely for it. It's made of silk crepe and satin organza with Chantilly lace and Calais lace.




The fitted bodice has three quarter length sleeves and a cinched waist with belt while the skirt flares out gently into a full length dream of a dress with the lace embellishments giving it more shape and structure.






Stephanie showed she was a royal bride who really thinks ahead - much of the wedding ceremony would see guests looking at her back and she made sure it was interesting. The bodice featured a dip on the back created in lace which was just visible beneath the cascading veil.





All royal wedding dresses need a train and Stephanie's was a whole 13 feet long, filling the aisle of the Cathedral as she walked towards her groom. Along with the rest of the dress, it was scattered with over 50,000 pearls and 80,000 crystals.






Stephanie's veil, held in place by a comb in her updo which was topped off with her family tiara, covered the train completely, adding to the ethereal feel of this dress.



All in all, Stephanie scored a huge hit with this royal wedding dress. It was totally regal while filled with all the modern style Elie Saab is known for. She really was a beautiful bride and her dress makes any top ten of 21st century royal wedding gowns.

Royal Wedding Gala Gowns:Stephanie of Luxembourg


Five years ago this week, Hereditary Grand Duke Guillaume of Luxembourg married Countess Stephanie de Lannoy in a wedding (or two) to remember. The last heir of his generation to say 'I do' did it not once, but twice, as he and his bride exchanged vows in a civil ceremony on October 19th and then again in a religious service on October 20th. In between that they held a gala dinner to celebrate their nuptials with royal guests from across Europe filling the Ducal Palace in Luxembourg on the night of the 19th for a glittering celebration. Which means that not only did royal bride, Stephanie, get two wedding dresses she also got a gala gown to go in her marriage wardrobe sandwich. As the happy couple celebrate their wood anniversary (yep, five years is really owning it with the gifts), let's get all sparkly and look back at a gala night to remember...


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After a triumph of a cream Chanel earlier in the day, Stephanie got us all ready for the big frock the following day by choosing a gown by her wedding dress designer. The bride was to wear Elie Saab for her religious marriage and she chose him to make her gala look as well.



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The dress, in gun metal grey, is a fabulous mix of regal and romance. Stephanie showed she was more than ready for her royal close up by picking a gown with all the interest in the neckline - most of the photos of it were taken as she sat down for dinner so the top had to be the star of the show. The pretty lace dress gives way to a sheer, ruched panel at the neck while there's also a pretty dipped, draped back to keep the interest going.



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This is pretty much pure fairytale princess stuff, with a fitted waist giving way to a gently flared skirt that skims into a mini train (it's a royal wedding, no one is getting away with cocktail here). The colour is strong enough to stand out against the opulence of the Ducal Palace where the gala dinner was given while soft enough to be bridal. There's plenty of glitter on the intricate lace overlay. Oh, and Stephanie added one of her new family's diamond tiaras to the look just to make sure the sparkle quota was filled.



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This was a stand out look for Stephanie and helped complete one of the most memorable royal bridal ensembles of the 21st century. Between the subtle charm of her Chanel at the civil wedding and the full on fabulousness of her Elie Saab dress for the religious marriage, this chic gala gown adds just the right note of glamour to produce a trio that any royal bride would be happy to wear. Five years on, Stephanie of Luxembourg's regal wedding wardrobe still stands the test of time.

Royal Wedding Outfits: Stephanie of Luxembourg


What's better than a royal wedding dress? Why, two royal wedding dresses of course. While more than one recent royal bride has gone through both a religious and civil ceremony to marry, not all of them get to do the double dress whammy. But Stephanie de Lannoy wasn't going to say 'I do' in just one frock. The future Grand Duchess of Luxembourg gave us two regal wedding looks for her two ceremonies five years ago this week. On the anniversary of her civil marriage to Hereditary Grand Duke Guillaume of Luxembourg, here's a look back at what Stephanie wore to say 'I do' first time round.


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The civil marriage of Stephanie Marie Claudine Christine de Lannoy and Guillaume Jean Joseph Marie de Luxembourg took place at the Hotel de Ville in Luxembourg City on October 19th 2012. The then mayor of Luxembourg, Xavier Bettel, was in charge of proceedings - he, of course, is now the country's Prime Minister.




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The royal wedding of Stephanie and Guillaume was a huge affair and attracted a lot of global coverage, not least because the groom was the last heir to the throne of his generation to get married. But while the guest list for the religious marriage on October 20th included royalty from just about every corner of Europe and beyond, the civil wedding was for family only and rather low key. Apart from the huge crowds, endless flags and mammoth walkabout that came with it.




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For this first foray into the royal wedding spotlight, Stephanie chose a Chanel suit in dark cream with some rather slinky silver highlights. It is pure Chanel from its tweed texture to skirt and jacket shaping and it's really rather elegant.



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But as this is a wedding, and a royal one at that, there had to be a bit of bling. We all know that Luxembourg's royals can outglitter the best and rest of them without even blinking and Belgian born Stephanie showed she was more than with her husband's family on that, adding a silver bag and shoes  (Chanel, natch, as you can see from the soles) to her first wedding outfit and all without looking like a Christmas tree. They, in turn, welcomed her into the sparkly fold by all choosing outfits in muted metallic shades - yep, even Grand Duchess Maria Teresa kept it low key in burnished gold for her first born's big day. Elegance everywhere.




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It all works rather well together and while all brides are beautiful, Stephanie really did shimmer and shine on the first of her big days. The girl's a trooper, too. You can see her main wedding dress here tomorrow but before then pop back for a reminder of the rather lovely gala gown she wore on the night of October 19th for the glittering dinner sandwiched between her two weddings. Anyone who can entertain royalty just after one marriage and just before another is a duchess on a grand scale. Oh, and she rewore the Chanel at the end of wedding two for a fireworks performance. Stephanie of Luxembourg had being a royal bride down to a tee.

Royal Wedding Dresses: Infanta Cristina of Spain


It was a glittering wedding that seemed to put the seal on what then seemed a triumph of a monarchy. Spain's Royal Family was about as popular as could be in October 1997 and the huge outpouring of public support as Infanta Cristina wed Inaki Urdangarin in Barcelona only underlined that. What a difference two decades can make. As Spain's royals languish in yet another crisis, the memories of a sunny day when the world seemed to be at their feet remain. At the heart of the fairytale was a modern bride with her own sense of style who took well loved to new levels. Here's a look back at the royal wedding dress of Infanta Cristina of Spain...the princess bride who could seemingly do no wrong.



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This royal bride was a mix of modern and traditional. Her dress was designed by Lorenzo Caprile, now better known as a go to designer for Queen Letizia, the sister in law with whom Cristina is said to enjoy less than friendly relations.




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The most striking feature is the off the shoulder neckline. A major surprise at the time, it suited the bride down to the ground but raised some eyebrows as royal wedding dresses usually go the full covered up route. The gown is made of off white silk and features full length sleeves, a sculpted bodice effect around the waist and a full skirt which fans out gently into a bell shape.




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If you go really close to the screen and squint you can just make out the rather delicate embroidery sitting at the waistline but overall this gown is very simple and all the better for it. Cristina was the darling of the Spanish monarchy then, seen as down to earth and full of life and this classic creation let the bride wear it rather than the other way round.



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There is a train (compulsory at royal weddings, Meghan Markle take note) and it extended a full three metres behind the bride as she smiled her way into Barcelona Cathedral. Covering it is a lace veil once worn by Cristina's great grandmother, Queen Victoria Eugenie of Spain. Made in the 19th century, it was restored for Cristina to wear. A nod to the past by a modern bride who at the time seemed to carry so many of the hopes of the Spanish monarchy for the future.

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We all know that this fairytale has some rather dark twists in it. The couple were the golden hope of the Borbons for several years with four beautiful children cementing the image. But the financial scandal which engulfed them changed everything. Earlier this year, Cristina was acquitted of tax fraud while her husband was found guilty of embezzlement and is currently appealing against a six year prison sentence. It was just another blow for the Spanish monarchy which has struggled in recent years and now faces another crisis as King Felipe VI's speech to his country following the Catalan referendum divides opinion while the region plans to declare independence. It's all a long way from that sunny day in Catalonia twenty years ago when Spain's monarchy was the unifying factor in a day of celebration that the world watched with a smile. The dress remains beautiful even if the dream is fading for good.

Royal Wedding Dresses: Mette-Marit of Norway


Norway's unexpected royal bride gave us an unexpected royal wedding dress and the gown, just like the princess who wore it, turned out to be a big success that stood the test of time. Mette-Marit Tjessem Hoiby said 'I do' to Crown Prince Haakon Magnus of Norway on August 25th 2001 in a dream of a dress that became an instant classic and remains one of the best loved royal wedding gowns of her generation. Here's a look back at the royal wedding dress of Norway's Crown Princess.





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There was a lot of speculation about Mette-Marit's wedding gown in the run up to her marriage in Oslo Cathedral. OK, she was a royal bride which means gown chatter is compulsory but Mette-Marit's regal love story turned this one into a frock frenzy.  The bride already had a son from a previous relationship and before her marriage she'd given a tearful interview apologising for some of her past associations - she had enjoyed some serious partying before her romance with Haakon Magnus. What does a really modern royal bride wear for her big day?



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There was also the added pressure of this being the first major royal wedding of the 21st century with the groom a future king to boot. Mette-Marit's own sense of style also sat at odds with what was expected from a regal bride but no one need have worried. The woman who walked up the aisle on the arm of her handsome prince had the whole royal wedding dress thing sorted.


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Mette-Marit chose a beautifully fitted deep cream dress of crepe and tulle designed by Ove Harder Finseth. It was an effortlessly simple creation made in an elegantly complicated way. The square cut top with fitted sleeves gave way to a bodice that flowed into a slightly flared skirt. Everything about it moved as one. It was understated and knock 'em out all in one go.




There was a train - there is always a train at royal weddings, it's compulsory - but this one flowed elegantly from the skirt into a pool of fabric that followed the bride rather than having her drag it up the aisle. Perhaps the most ethereal and beautiful part of the whole look was the way that the tulle veil  - all 20 or so feet of it - just kept on going once the train had finished.



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Mette-Marit really did keep things simple. Her wedding tiara was a bandeau made of diamond daisies, given to her by her new parents in law while the rest of her jewellery was low key. It didn't matter. There was so much elegance about this simple look which suited the bride to perfection that it was almost a statement of intent. Mette-Marit, now Crown Princess of Norway, would adapt to her new role but in her own way. She looked like a picture perfect princess but one who had grown up in the 20th century.


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Sixteen years on, it's still a classic and the princess who wore it has been a huge success in her role. Mette-Marit hasn't shied away from taking on big challenges in her royal role - championing causes including literacy and working with charities promoting HIV/ AIDS awareness. She's become popular and well respected and is now part of a royal family so valued that it's approval ratings hit 90% during jubilee celebrations in 2016.  That's about the popular vote for this dress whenever it's held up to scrutiny. Norway's unexpected princess really did give us an unexpected classic of a royal wedding dress.

Royal Wedding Dresses: Lady Diana Spencer



It's about as famous as royal wedding dresses come. The Emanuel design worn by Lady Diana Spencer as she married the Prince of Wales on July 29th 1981 remains an icon of modern royal fashion. We know the bows, the frills and the creases like the backs of our own hands but that doesn't mean we can't enjoy them one more time. Thirty six years on from the wedding of the century, here's a look back at Diana's wedding dress.







The commission for the dress everyone wanted to make was given to designers David and Elizabeth Emanuel who had been favourites of Diana before her engagement was announced. They became overnight superstars and the dress was world famous before it was even made.



The final design has been called romantic more times than any of us have had hot dinners. It really was the stuff of which fairytales were made with huge sleeves, huge skirt and a huge bow surrounded by endless sparkles and lace trims. Diana was already the subject of endless projections before she had even said 'I do' and this dress is one of them. She was the perfect princess in the making and was dressed as everyone expected a princess to look.



Ask anyone about Diana's wedding dress and perhaps the first thing they will say is that it was creased. As the bride got out of the Glass Coach at St Paul's Cathedral that huge skirt made a protest at having been crammed into a vintage carriage and came out crumpled. It came into its own as Diana walked down the aisle but that creased first look is the stuff of royal legend.


 
Let's get down to basics. The dress was made of silk, taffeta and antique lace and featured over 10,000 pearls and sequins. Every royal wedding dress needs a train and the frock at the marriage of the century didn't disappoint. Just the twenty five feet of fabric followed Diana up the aisle attached at the waist of the dress. The train features a scalloped edge and was completely covered by her light veil.


Diana's wedding dress was an instant icon and was copied the world over. For years after her marriage, puff sleeves and huge skirts were popular choices for brides. The gown itself has been displayed several times but now belongs to Prince William and Prince Harry - they inherited it when they both reached the age of 30. Whether the dress will be seen in public again isn't known. But this royal wedding gown has a place in history all of its own as the stuff of which royal fairytales were (briefly) made.

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