Rhiannon Hendricks
British royal wedding dresses are often deeply romantic, with an emphasis on British design, tradition, and symbolism. The dresses are usually extremely well-constructed, as they are sure to be photographed or filmed from every angle. There are large rooms in the royal palaces devoted to storing royal clothes, including wedding dresses, and the outfits are managed and cared for by experts. Some royal wedding dresses have been displayed to the public, such as Queen Silvia's Nobel dresses, and Princess Lilian's exhibit. Some dresses have also been reworked to be modernised, and any favourite dresses are saved for future exhibitions.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Location of storage | There are over 20 large rooms devoted to royal clothes in Buckingham Palace, Windsor Castle, and other royal residences. |
| Curators | The British Royal Household has experts that specialize in managing and caring for the Royal collection, including historical wedding gowns. |
| Display | Royal wedding dresses are sometimes displayed to the public, such as during the Summer BP opening. |
| Reuse | Queen Elizabeth is reportedly frugal and insists on reusing fabric that is still in good shape. |
| Exhibition | Unusable fabric may be saved for a future exhibition. |
| Donation | Complete outfits are never donated to charity shops. |
| Modernization | Some outfits have been reworked to be modernized, such as by making new hats to match. |
| Software | It is speculated that the Royal Family may use software to manage their wardrobe. |
| Temperature control | The rooms containing royal clothes are kept at a specific temperature 24/7. |
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What You'll Learn
- Royal wedding dresses are stored in large rooms in Windsor Castle
- The Queen's wedding dress was made of pearl and silver thread-embroidered silk crepe moire
- Princess Margaret's dress was designed by Norman Hartnell and had little embellishment
- Princess Beatrice wore her grandmother's vintage Norman Hartnell gown
- Meghan Markle's veil was embroidered with flowers from all 53 Commonwealth countries
Royal wedding dresses are stored in large rooms in Windsor Castle
The British Royal Household has a team of experts dedicated to managing and caring for the Royal collection, including historical wedding gowns. While the exact location of these dresses is not always known, it is speculated that they are stored in vast, temperature-controlled rooms in Windsor Castle.
One source mentions that there are over 20 rooms devoted to royal clothes, filled with mainly the queens' outfits but also those of P. Philip. These are described as large rooms, not small walk-in closets. Another source mentions that Queen Elizabeth II's rooms are kept at a certain temperature 24/7.
Royal wedding dresses are considered "historic pieces" rather than private memorabilia, and it is unlikely that they are kept in the royal brides' homes. Instead, they may be stored in royal archives or museums, or loaned out for exhibitions. For example, the Duchess of Sussex's wedding dress was exhibited at Windsor Castle as part of the Royal Collection Trust, which aims to promote access to the Royal Collection through exhibitions.
In summary, while the specific location of royal wedding dresses within Windsor Castle may not be publicly known, it is evident that these gowns are carefully preserved and occasionally displayed for the public to admire.
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The Queen's wedding dress was made of pearl and silver thread-embroidered silk crepe moire
The wedding dresses of British royalty are often carefully curated and stored in special rooms in castles. For instance, it is believed that Kate Middleton's wedding gown is stored in a room in Windsor Castle. Similarly, Queen Silvia's Nobel dresses were displayed in special rooms, and Princess Lilian's wedding dress is currently exhibited.
The wedding dress of Queen Elizabeth, later Queen Consort to George VI, was made of pearl and silver thread-embroidered silk crepe moire. The gown was designed by Madame Handley Seymour and reflected the fashion of the early 1920s. The fabric, silk crepe moire, has a rippled or wavy effect, and the dress featured a dropped waist. The design was inspired by Medieval Italian gowns and complemented by a Juliet lace cap. The dress was made using ration coupons, as Queen Elizabeth's wedding took place just two years after World War II ended. The silk used was sourced from China rather than Japan or Italy, Britain's foes during the war. The gown was embellished with 10,000 seed pearls sewn into a floral design, and it took 350 women seven weeks to create.
Queen Elizabeth's wedding dress was paired with a veil and the Queen Mary's Fringe Tiara, borrowed from her mother, Queen Elizabeth I. The tiara, made of silver, diamond, and gold, broke on the morning of the wedding and had to be hastily repaired. The gown is a testament to the skill and dedication of the 350 women who crafted it, and its design reflects the fashion and historical context of the time.
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Princess Margaret's dress was designed by Norman Hartnell and had little embellishment
The British Royal Household has a large number of experts specialising in managing and caring for the Royal Collection, including historical clothing. Royal wedding dresses are kept in large rooms filled with clothes, located in Windsor Castle or Buckingham Palace. For example, Mary's wedding gown is stored at Amalienborg Castle in a special silk cover.
Princess Margaret's wedding dress was designed by Norman Hartnell, a leading British fashion designer, and made of silk organza. Hartnell had previously designed Queen Elizabeth's wedding gown, as well as the bridesmaid dresses for Princess Margaret and Princess Elizabeth for the Duchess of Gloucester's wedding. Princess Margaret's dress featured long sleeves, a V-neckline, and a full skirt that required about 98 feet of fabric. The gown lacked the embellishments typical of royal wedding dresses, such as lace or beading, as these were thought to overwhelm the bride. Instead, the dress was noted for its simplicity and timelessness, inspiring other royal wedding dresses such as Lady Sarah Chatto's and the Duchess of Sussex's. Presently, Princess Margaret's wedding dress is on display at Kensington Palace as part of an exhibit about royal wedding dresses.
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Princess Beatrice wore her grandmother's vintage Norman Hartnell gown
Princess Beatrice wore a vintage Norman Hartnell gown on her wedding day, making history as the first royal bride to opt for a second-hand wedding dress. The dress originally belonged to her grandmother, Queen Elizabeth II, who wore it as an evening gown in 1962.
The ivory gown was made from Peau De Soie taffeta, trimmed with Duchess satin, and featured organza sleeves. It was encrusted with diamanté details and had a geometric checkered bodice. The dress was remodelled for Princess Beatrice by Stewart Parvin and Angela Kelly, who added the puff sleeves to infuse a playful touch while retaining the original narrow, jewelled straps.
Princess Beatrice's choice of a vintage gown from her grandmother's wardrobe was a charming nod to their bond. It was also a tribute to the exceptional circumstances of her wedding, which was an intimate, low-key affair. By choosing a vintage dress, the bride also paid homage to the designer, Norman Hartnell, who was a favourite of the Queen and her daughters, Princess Margaret and Princess Elizabeth. Hartnell was renowned for his highly embellished gowns, often adorned with beadwork, sequins, and embroidery, making them a popular choice for royal occasions.
The decision to wear a second-hand dress was a departure from the modern tradition of royals commissioning contemporary designers for bespoke wedding gowns. Princess Beatrice's choice to wear a vintage gown from the Queen's archive showcases her unique style and her desire to wear a piece of history on her special day. It is also speculated that she initially considered a modern designer but ultimately opted for vintage, reflecting her appreciation for Hartnell's work and the Queen's love for his designs.
The British Royal Household has a dedicated team of experts who manage and care for the Royal Collection, including historical wardrobes and wedding gowns. These garments are stored in large rooms within Windsor Castle, with specific temperature controls to ensure their preservation.
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Meghan Markle's veil was embroidered with flowers from all 53 Commonwealth countries
Meghan Markle's wedding veil was a true statement piece. At 16 feet, or 5 metres long, the veil was a subtle nod to Diana's extra-long train. It was held in place by the Queen Mary Diamond Bandeau tiara, lent to Meghan by Queen Elizabeth. The tiara, made in 1932, is formed as a flexible band of 11 sections, pierced with interlaced ovals and pavé set with large and small brilliant diamonds. The centre is set with a detachable brooch of 10 brilliant diamonds.
The veil itself was designed by Clare Waight Keller, who also designed Meghan's wedding dress. The veil featured intricate embroidery, with each of the 53 countries of the Commonwealth represented by their distinctive flora, united in one spectacular floral composition. Meghan also added some personal touches: the Wintersweet, which grows on the grounds of Kensington Palace, and the California Poppy, the State flower of California.
The veil took hundreds of hours to sew, with workers from Givenchy washing their hands every 30 minutes to keep the tulle and threads pristine. Each flower had to be unique and detailed. Meghan said she wanted all 53 countries of the Commonwealth with her on her journey through the ceremony. Waight Keller said the idea came to her after several conversations with Meghan about what "story" she wanted to tell through her wedding.
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Frequently asked questions
Royal wedding dresses are kept in large rooms filled with clothes, with some kept at Windsor Castle. Some dresses are loaned out for exhibitions, such as Queen Silvia's Nobel dresses.
The Duchess of Sussex's dress was made from double-bonded silk cady, with six meticulously placed seams.
Princess Beatrice wore a vintage dress from her grandmother, Queen Elizabeth, designed by Norman Hartnell.
Honiton lace, a type of bobbin lace made in Honiton, Devon, has been featured in several British royal wedding dresses.
