Fashion

Royal wedding dresses through the years – the Queen, Kate Middleton, Princess Margaret, Diana and more

Royal wedding dresses through the years - Diana, Princess Margaret and more
Sarah Ferguson, Kate Middleton, Diana, Princess Of Wales and Princess Margaret have all worn varying white gowns for their wedding days (Picture: Getty)

Royal wedding dress obsession is something of an institution

Its a public prerogative: a royal engagement is announced and the next few months are spent speculating, predicting and daydreaming about the royal brides dress.

Will she wear white? Will she go for an on-trend colour? Will she go with her designer friends creation or will she stick to a royal-approved bridal team? Will she take inspiration from a previous royal gown?

Limited details surrounding Meghans dress were revealed at the weekend, with reports suggesting she will be wearing a £100,000 Ralph & Russo gown with lace, embellishment and plenty of pearls. However, we wont actually find out until Meghan emerges on the morning of Saturday 19 May for all the world to see.

While we wait with fevered anticipation, here are some of the royal wedding dresses of time gone by to lust over…

AdvertisementAdvertisement

Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother

Wedding: King George VI and Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother

Date: Thursday 26 April 1923

Royal wedding dresses through the years - Diana, Princess Margaret and more
26th April 1923: The wedding of the Duke of York (1895 – 1952), later George VI, and Lady Elizabeth Bowes Lyon (1900 – 2002). (Photo by Hulton Archive/Getty Images)

When Prince Albert, Duke of York, soon to be King George VI, and Lady Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon, later Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother, tied the knot, they broke from tradition and ensured their wedding was a public affair, marrying in Westminster Abbey instead of a private, royal chapel.

Their public celebration-style wedding, which is what we are now accustomed to with royal weddings, was a means of lifting the publics spirits following the First World War. It was also widely believed that Prince Albert would never take to the throne, given his brother Edward was older than him.

Why King George and not King Albert?

King George VIs first name was Albert – his full name was Albert Frederick Arthur George.

He opted to use his middle name George to rule with as, following his brother Edwards VIIIs abdication in 1936, he wanted to offer the British public a sense of continuity so, given his father was King George V, he went with George as well.

Elizabeths 1920s wedding gown was created by Madame Handley Seymouor, the dressmaker to Queen Mary, the sister of King George VI.

Made with deep ivory chiffon moire, it was embroidered with pearls and a silver thread.

Queen Mary provided the Flanders lace used for the train and the dress also featured a strip of Brussels lace, which was Elizabeths Strathmore family heirloom.

Royal wedding dresses through the years - Diana, Princess Margaret and more
26th April 1923: Lady Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon (1900 – 2002) leaves her home for her wedding to the Duke of York, the future King George VI. (Photo by Central Press/Getty Images)
Royal wedding dresses through the years - Diana, Princess Margaret and more
26th April 1923: The marriage of the Duke and Duchess of York at Westminster Abbey, London. (Photo by Hulton Archive/Getty Images)
Royal wedding dresses through the years - Diana, Princess Margaret and more
26th April 1923: The Duke and Duchess of York on their marriage day, later becoming King George VI (1895 – 1952) and Queen Elizabeth (1900 – 2002). (Photo by Hulton Archive/Getty Images)
Royal wedding dresses through the years - Diana, Princess Margaret and more
26th April 1923: King George V of Great Britain (right) and Queen Mary on the wedding day of their son George, later King George VI, to Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon (1900 – 2002). With them are the Earl and Countess of Stramore (left). Original Artist: By Elliott & Fry. (Photo by Hulton Archive/Getty Images)

Attached to Queen Elizabeths girdle was a trail of spring green tulle. A news article at the time wrote: In the trimming the bride has defied all old superstitions about the unluckiness of green.

AdvertisementAdvertisement

The details of the Queen Mothers dress were revealed ahead of her wedding, unlike the tradition nowadays of keeping the details top secret.

King George VI, meanwhile, wore RAF full dress in his senior service rank of captain.

Queen Elizabeth II

Wedding: Prince Philip and Queen Elizabeth II

Date: 20 November 1947

Royal wedding dresses through the years - Diana, Princess Margaret and more
Princess Elizabeth, now Queen Elizabeth II, and Prince Philip leave Westminster Abbey, London after their wedding on 20th November 1947. (Photo by Popperfoto/Getty Images)

Princess Elizabeth married Philip Mountbatten, Duke Of Edinburgh at Westminster Abbey in 1947.

Her dress was designed by court designer Norman Hartnell, who was famous for his embroidery. He took his inspiration from flowers, such as jasmine, for the pattern on her dress.

Royal wedding dresses through the years - Diana, Princess Margaret and more
20th November 1947: Queen Elizabeth II (as Princess Elizabeth) with Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, on their wedding day in Westminster Abbey, London. Original Publication: Picture Post – 4438 – Royal Wedding – pub. 1947 (Photo by Bert Hardy/Picture Post/Getty Images)
Royal wedding dresses through the years - Diana, Princess Margaret and more
20th November 1947: Princess Elizabeth and the Duke of Edinburgh at Buckingham Palace, London, after their wedding ceremony at Westminster Abbey. (Photo by Keystone/Getty Images)

Although she was the heir apparent at the time, she still had to buy her wedding dress with ration coupons. In fact, hundreds of members of the public sent Elizabeth their coupons to help her buy the gown, however it was not legal for her to use them so they were sent back. The government donated 200 coupons to help her.

Elizabeths dress was made of soft Damascus Prokar. It featured a high neckline, tailored bodice and, at 13 feet long, a short trail.

Much speculation surrounded her dress at the time and its understood she was worried that if the details leaked, fashion houses would copy it and she would therefore find it difficult to make last-minute alterations.

Royal wedding dresses through the years - Diana, Princess Margaret and more
Princess Elizabeth, now Queen Elizabeth II, arrives with her father, King George VI for her wedding to Prince Philip at Westminster Abbey, London on 20th November 1947. (Photo by Popperfoto/Getty Images).
Royal wedding dresses through the years - Diana, Princess Margaret and more
2nd June 1953: Queen Elizabeth II and the Duke of Edinburgh wave at the crowds from the balcony at Buckingham Palace. (Photo by Keystone/Getty Images)

Queen Elizabeths tiara famously snapped on the morning of her wedding as she got ready at Buckingham Palace.

Advertisement

However, the court jeweler was on standby in case of an emergency so he was rushed to his work room by police escort and it was fixed in time for the ceremony.

Princess Margaret

Wedding: Antony Armstrong-Jones and Princess Margaret

Date: Friday 6 May 1960

Royal wedding dresses through the years - Diana, Princess Margaret and more
Princess Margaret married Antony Armstrong-Jones at Westminster Abbey (Picture: AFP/Getty Images)

Princess Margaret married photographer Antony Armstrong-Jones in May 1960.

It was watched by 300 million people worldwide, having become the first royal wedding ever broadcast on TV.

Just like her sisters gown, her wedding dress was designed by Normal Hartnell, made from silk organza.

Royal wedding dresses through the years - Diana, Princess Margaret and more
British Royalty, London, England, 6th May 1960, H,R,H,Princess Margaret leaves for Westminster Abbey, accompanied by her father The Duke of Edinburgh, to be married to Anthony Armstrong-Jones (Photo by Bob Thomas/Popperfoto/Getty Images)
Royal wedding dresses through the years - Diana, Princess Margaret and more
Princess Margaret is accompanied by her brother-in-law Prince Philip during her wedding to Antony Armstrong-Jones at Westminister Abbey.
Royal wedding dresses through the years - Diana, Princess Margaret and more
6th May 1960: Princess Margaret (1930 – 2002) and Antony Armstrong-Jones on their wedding day at Buckingham Palace after the ceremony. (Photo by Fox Photos/Getty Images)
Royal wedding dresses through the years - Diana, Princess Margaret and more
Princess Margaret and her new husband Antony Armstrong Jones pose for a picture with their bridesmaids at Buckingham Palace, 6th May 1960. (Photo by Hulton Archive/Getty Images)
Royal wedding dresses through the years - Diana, Princess Margaret and more
The newly-wed Princess Margaret, the younger sister of Britains Queen Elizabeth II, and her husband, the photographer Antony Armstrong-Jones wave 06 May 1960 (Picture: AFP/Getty Images)

A total of thirty metres of fabric was used for the skirt alone and the dress won critical approval thanks to its elegant simplicity.

It was described as stunningly tailored by Vogue and Life magazine said it was the simplest royal wedding gown in history.

Some fashion critics even go as far to say it is Hartnells finest piece of work.

Anne, Princess Royal

Wedding: Mark Phillips and Princess Anne

Date: Wednesday 14 November 1973.

Royal wedding dresses through the years - Diana, Princess Margaret and more
Princess Anne on her wedding day with her husband Mark Phillips, her younger brother Prince Edward, and cousin Lady Sarah Armstrong-Jones. (Photo by © Hulton-Deutsch Collection/CORBIS/Corbis via Getty Images)

Princess Anne married Mark Phillips in November 1973 at Westminster Abbey.

Advertisement

He gown was designed by Maureen Baker, who created designs for the Susan Small label and had previously designed pieces for Anne.

The dress had a high neckline with medieval sleeves and was embroidered in what has been described as Tudor-style, with the train embroidered by Locks Embroiderers.

Royal wedding dresses through the years - Diana, Princess Margaret and more
(Original Caption) London, England: The Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr. Michael Ramsey blesses Prince Anne and Captain Mark Phillips during their wedding ceremony in Westminster Abbey.
Royal wedding dresses through the years - Diana, Princess Margaret and more
Princess Anne and Mark Phillips walk down the aisle together after being married at Westminster Cathedral. (Photo by © Hulton-Deutsch Collection/CORBIS/Corbis via Getty Images)
Royal wedding dresses through the years - Diana, Princess Margaret and more
The wedding of Anne, Princess Royal to Mark Phillips, London, UK, 14th November 1973. Also pictured are Queen Elizabeth II, the Queen Mother, Princess Margaret, Prince Philip, Prince Charles, Viscount Linley, Katharine, Duchess of Kent, Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands, King Constantine II of Greece, King Juan Carlos I of Spain, and King Harald V of Norway and Queen Sonja of Norway. (Photo by Keystone/Hulton Archive/Getty Images)
Royal wedding dresses through the years - Diana, Princess Margaret and more
(Original Caption) London, England: Princes Anne and Capt. Mark Phillips share a laugh on the balcony of Buckingham Palace after their wedding.

It was reflective of 1970s fashion and widely regarded as a simple design, which Anne helped create herself.

Diana, Princess Of Wales

Wedding: Prince Charles and Diana, Princess Of Wales

Date: Wednesday 29 July 1981

Royal wedding dresses through the years - Diana, Princess Margaret and more
The wedding of Prince Charles and Lady Diana Spencer at St Pauls Cathedral in London, 29th July 1981. The couple leave the cathedral after the ceremony. (Photo by Fox Photos/Hulton Archive/Getty Images)

Diana, Princess Of Wales wedding dress is possibly one of the most famous gowns in the world.

It was kept top secret in the run up to her and Prince Charles wedding day, with a back-up dress even in place in case the original dress details leaked.

The ivory silk taffeta and antique lace gown was designed by David and Elizabeth Emanuel.

They consulted Stephen Walters of Suffolk to help with the taffeta and Maureen Baker to help with the construction.of the dress, which featured 10,000 pearls and sequins alone.

Royal wedding dresses through the years - Diana, Princess Margaret and more
LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM – JULY 29: Lady Diana Spencer Arriving With Her Father, Earl Spencer, At St Pauls Cathedral For Her Wedding To Prince Charles. Lady Diana (princess Of Wales) Is Making Her Way Up The Stairs Whilst Her Bridesmaids Straighten Her Long Train (Photo by Tim Graham/Getty Images)
Royal wedding dresses through the years - Diana, Princess Margaret and more
29th July 1981: Charles, Prince of Wales, with his wife, Princess Diana (1961 – 1997), at St Pauls Cathedral, London, during their marriage ceremony. (Photo by Hulton Archive/Getty Images)
Royal wedding dresses through the years - Diana, Princess Margaret and more
LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM – JULY 29: Princess Diana And Prince Charles Walking Down The Aisle Of St Pauls In London On Their Wedding Day With Their Bridesmaids And Pageboys (Photo by Tim Graham/Getty Images)
Royal wedding dresses through the years - Diana, Princess Margaret and more
The Prince and Princess of Wales leave St Pauls Cathedral on their wedding day, 29th July 1981. (Photo by Jayne Fincher/Princess Diana Archive/Getty Images)
Royal wedding dresses through the years - Diana, Princess Margaret and more
The Prince and Princess of Wales return to Buckingham Palace by carriage after their wedding, 29th July 1981. She wears a wedding dress by David and Elizabeth Emmanuel and the Spencer family tiara. (Photo by Terry Fincher/Princess Diana Archive/Getty Images)
Royal wedding dresses through the years - Diana, Princess Margaret and more
GREAT BRITAIN – JULY 29: Prince Charles, Prince of Wales whispering to Diana, Princess of Wales on their wedding day as they appear on the balcony of Buckingham Palace (Photo by Tim Graham/Getty Images)
Royal wedding dresses through the years - Diana, Princess Margaret and more
LONDON – JULY 29: Prince Charles, Prince of Wales and Princess Diana, Princess of Wales, kiss on the balcony of Buckingham Palace following their wedding on July 29, 1981 in London, England. (Photo by Anwar Hussein/WireImage)

Dianas dress caused much concern for her dressmakers and seamstress as she developed the eating disorder bulimia in the run up to her wedding, dropping from a size 14 to 10.

Her train was also practically double the length of Queen Elizabeths at 25 feet long, a detail that hadnt been considered when it came to Diana making her way into the glass coach that would take her to St Pauls Cathedral. The train ended up being crushed and creases could be seen when she emerged.

Sarah Ferguson, Duchess Of York

Wedding: Prince Andrew and Sarah Ferguson, Duchess Of York

Date: Wednesday 23 July 1986

Royal wedding dresses through the years - Diana, Princess Margaret and more
Prince Andrew, the Duke of York, and Sarah Ferguson wave outside of Buckingham Palace on their wedding day, London, England, July 23, 1986. (Photo by Hulton Archive/Getty Images)

Sarah Ferguson and Prince Andrew married in July 1986 in Westminster Abbey.

Her dress was designed by Lindka Cierach, her gown was created from duchesse satin and featured heavy beading. 17 feet.

Royal wedding dresses through the years - Diana, Princess Margaret and more
LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM – JULY 23: Sarah Ferguson, Duchess of York and Prince Andrew, Duke of York stand on the balcony of Buckingham Palace and wave at their wedding on July 23, 1986 in London, England. (Photo by Anwar Hussein/Getty Images)

Wedding dress fever had swept the nation so much by this point that copies of Sarahs dress were being sold in stores hours after her wedding.

Sophie, Countess Of Wessex

Wedding: Prince Edward, Earl Of Wessex and Sophie, Countess Of Wessex

Date: Saturday 19 June 1999

Royal wedding dresses through the years - Diana, Princess Margaret and more
Edward and Saphie, the new Earl and Countess of Wessex on their wedding day in Windsor on June 19, 1999. at the Windsor in Windsor, United Kingdom. (Photo by Anwar Hussein/WireImage)

Sophie Rhys-Jones married Prince Edward at St Georges Chapel in June 1999.

Her dress was designed by Samantha Shaw and was made of hand-dyed silk organza and hand-dyed silk crepe.

The gown featured long sleeves and a V-neckline with 325,000 pearls and crystals sewn onto the dress.

Royal wedding dresses through the years - Diana, Princess Margaret and more
Edward and Saphie, the new Earl and Countess of Wessex on their wedding day in Windsor on June 19, 1999. (Photo by Anwar Hussein/WireImage)
Royal wedding dresses through the years - Diana, Princess Margaret and more
Prince Edward and Sophie Rhys-Jones wave to wellwishers 19 June 1999 as they leave St. Georges Chapel after their marriage at Windsor Castle. (ELECTRONIC IMAGE) (Photo credit should read GERRY PENNY/AFP/Getty Images)

The Duchess Of Cambridge

Wedding: Prince William, Duke Of Cambridge and Kate Middleton, Duchess Of Cambridge

Date: Friday 29 April 2011

Royal wedding dresses through the years - Diana, Princess Margaret and more
Catherine Middleton shows her Alexander McQueen dress in full for the first time outside Westminster Abbey (Picture: Samir Hussein/WireImage)

Alexander McQueens creative director Sarah Burton was the brains behind Kates elegant – and stunning – lace bridal gown for her wedding to Prince William.

For months speculation was rife on who would be the designer and Sarah had kept a stealthy silence on the matter.

So it was only natural that everyone was clamoring for the first glimpse of Kate in her dress – even it it was shielded in part by the screens at The Goring.

As Kate finally emerged outside Westminster Abbey – with the entire world seeing her dress on TV screens before her husband-to-be had – it was confirmed that Burton was in fact the designer.

Royal wedding dresses through the years - Diana, Princess Margaret and more
The stunning dress featured delicate lace (Picture: Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images)
Royal wedding dresses through the years - Diana, Princess Margaret and more
Pippa carried Kates train as they leave Westminster Abbey (Picture: Kirsty Wigglesworth – WPA Pool/Getty Images)

She was even on hand to neaten the train – which was 9ft long – on the day and ensure every inch of the dress looked perfect as Kate made her way down the aisle.

It later emerged that Kate and Sarah had been having secret meetings at Hampton Court Palace to discuss the dress – the location chosen due to its proximity to The Royal School Of Needlework, who created the lace for the gown.

It was so hush-hush that staff there were told that the lace they were creating was actually for a period drama.

Royal wedding dresses through the years - Diana, Princess Margaret and more
Sarah Burton arranges Kates dress just before she walked down the aisle (Picture: Jon Bond – WPA Pool/Getty Images)
Royal wedding dresses through the years - Diana, Princess Margaret and more
The dress designer also created Pippas gown (Picture: AFP/Getty Images)
Royal wedding dresses through the years - Diana, Princess Margaret and more
Prince William and Kate Middleton emerge from Westminster Abbey after their wedding ceremony (Picture: Chris Jackson/Getty Images)

Zara Phillips

Royal wedding dresses through the years - Diana, Princess Margaret and more
Zara Phillips departs for her wedding to Mike Tindall at Canongate Kirk on July 30, 2011 (Picture: Getty)

Wedding: Zara Phillips and Mike Tindall

Date: Saturday 30 July 2011

Zara Phillips wedding dress was designed by Stewart Parvin, who was a favourite among the Royal Family.

The dress featured sheer cap sleeves, and the silk fabric gave her a flattering shape as it opened out into the skirt.

Royal wedding dresses through the years - Diana, Princess Margaret and more
Britains Zara Phillips, granddaughter of Queen Elizabeth II, is pictured after her wedding to England rugby player Mike Tindall at Canongate Kirk in Edinburgh, Scotland, on July 30, 2011. AFP PHOTO / BEN STANSALL (Photo credit should read BEN STANSALL/AFP/Getty Images)
Royal wedding dresses through the years - Diana, Princess Margaret and more
England rugby player Mike Tindall (L) and his new bride Britains Zara Phillips, granddaughter of Queen Elizabeth II, leave after their wedding ceremony at Canongate Kirk in Edinburgh, Scotland, on July 30, 2011. AFP PHOTO / DYLAN MARTINEZ/POOL (Photo credit should read DYLAN MARTINEZ/AFP/Getty Images)

Camilla, Duchess Of Cornwall

Wedding: Prince Charles and Camilla, Duchess Of Cornwall

Date: Saturday 9 April 2005

Royal wedding dresses through the years - Diana, Princess Margaret and more
Prince Charles and Camilla the Duchess of Cornwall (Photo by Anwar Hussein Collection/ROTA/WireImage)

When Camilla Parker Bowles married Prince Charles in June 2005, she had not one but two wedding dresses.

The first she wore to their civil ceremony service at Guildhall, Windsor.

The second, she wore for the blessing at St Georges Chapel, which directly followed the ceremony.

Royal wedding dresses through the years - Diana, Princess Margaret and more
WINDSOR, ENGLAND – APRIL 09: TRH Prince Charles, the Prince of Wales, and his wife Camilla, the Duchess of Cornwall, depart the Civil Ceremony where they were legally married, at The Guildhall, Windsor on April 9, 2005 in Berkshire, England. (Photo by Georges De Keerle/Getty Images)
Royal wedding dresses through the years - Diana, Princess Margaret and more
Prince Charles and Camilla Parker-Bowles, Duchess of Cornwall (Photo by Anwar Hussein Collection/ROTA/WireImage)

Both dresses were created by Antonia Robinson and Anna Valentine, who were working under the name Robinson Valentine at the time. They are now known as Anna Valentine.

WINDSOR, ENGLAND - APRIL 9: Clarence House official handout photo of the Prince of Wales and his new bride Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall in the White Drawing Room at Windsor Castle April 9 2005, after their wedding ceremony. (Photo by Hugo Burnand/Pool/Getty Images)
(Picture: Getty Images)

For inspiration on mother of the bride outfits – or to see what the royals have previously chosen for the important role – click right here.

If you are more into your jewellery, however, check out our comparison of all of the royal engagement and wedding rings here.

MORE: Meghan Markles mother to reveal racist abuse in interview about wedding to Prince Harry

MORE: Royal engagement ring and wedding ring values compared – Kate Middleton, The Queen, Meghan Markle, Diana, Camillas and more

MORE: Could Meghan Markles title be Her Grace like American divorcee Wallis Simpson when she marries Prince Harry?

AdvertisementAdvertisement

Original Article

Related Articles

Back to top button