George Boyle
Catherine of Aragon was the first wife of King Henry VIII and Queen of England. She was previously married to Arthur, Prince of Wales, the eldest son of King Henry VII, from 1501 until his death in 1502. Catherine wore white satin at her first wedding, dressed in Spanish-style clothing. She also wore a long veil and a pearl-encrusted headband. At her second wedding, she wore an embroidered white dress with her long hair loose.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date of first wedding | 14 November 1501 |
| Date of second wedding | 11 June 1509 |
| First husband | Arthur, Prince of Wales |
| Second husband | Henry VIII |
| Wedding dress colour | White |
| Wedding dress fabric | Satin |
| Wedding dress details | Cinched waist, princess sleeves, long veil, pearl-encrusted headband, double-strand necklace |
| Wedding location | St Paul's Cathedral |
| Wedding dress source | Found in Spain at a costume rental house |
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What You'll Learn
Catherine of Aragon's wedding dress was white satin
Catherine of Aragon was the first wife of Henry VIII, whom she married in 1509. She was also previously married to Henry's older brother, Arthur, Prince of Wales, in 1501.
Catherine's wedding dress to Arthur has been described as a white satin gown, in the Spanish style. The dress was cinched at the waist with puffed sleeves, and was accompanied by a long veil and a pearl-encrusted headband.
The dress was designed by costume designer, De Gaye, who found a white velvet fabric printed with a pomegranate pattern, which was one of Catherine's heraldic symbols. The dress was embellished with gold and silver embroidery.
De Gaye also designed the wedding dress for the Starz miniseries, "The Spanish Princess", in which Charlotte Hope portrayed Catherine of Aragon. The series is based on Philippa Gregory's novels, "The Constant Princess" and "The King's Curse".
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Her dress was in the Spanish style
Catherine of Aragon was the daughter of Queen Isabella of Castille and King Ferdinand of Aragon, whose marriage united the kingdom of Spain. She was betrothed to Prince Arthur, the eldest son of King Henry VII, and left Spain in 1501, aged just 15. Catherine and Arthur were married at St Paul's Cathedral on 14 November 1501.
According to Ruth Mathilda Anderson's "Hispanic Costume 1480-1530", Catherine wore Spanish-style clothing for her wedding, specifically white satin. This was also the colour worn by her groom, Arthur.
The Spanish influence on Catherine's wedding dress is further evidenced by the fact that she and her Spanish ladies-in-waiting were dressed in the Spanish style at her arrival and at the wedding. This is significant because it shows that Catherine wanted to honour her Spanish heritage even as she married into the English royal family.
The dress itself was likely to have been quite elaborate, with a cinched waist and princess sleeves. It is also mentioned that the dress had a long veil, which was important to Catherine, and a pearl-encrusted headband.
The use of white satin fabric for the wedding dress is particularly interesting because, while it may seem like a common choice for modern brides, it was quite unusual at the time. In fact, some sources credit Catherine with starting the trend of white wedding gowns.
Overall, Catherine's choice to wear a Spanish-style dress for her wedding to Arthur was a meaningful decision that reflected her cultural background and personal style.
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The dress was cinched at the waist with puffy sleeves
Catherine of Aragon was the first wife of Henry VIII, whom she married in 1509. She was also previously married to Henry's brother, Arthur, in 1501.
For her wedding to Arthur, Catherine wore a white satin dress in the Spanish style, with a long veil and a pearl-encrusted headband. The dress was cinched at the waist with puffy "princess" sleeves, which were created using a net that showed off the bride's slender shoulders. This style of sleeve was also known as a "puff sleeve shape in a toile".
The dress was designed by costume designer De Gaye, who found the fabric for the gown in a costume rental house in Spain. The fabric was white velvet printed with a pomegranate pattern, which was chosen because the pomegranate was one of Catherine's heraldic symbols.
The costume designer also noted that the veil was an important part of Catherine's wedding attire, as she remained veiled until the marriage ceremony. This caused some problems during the filming of the wedding scene in the TV series, as the actress could not be kept under a veil for the entire episode. A very sheer veil was used to get around this issue.
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She wore a long veil with a pearl-encrusted headband
Catherine of Aragon was the first wife of Henry VIII, whom she married in 1509. She was also previously married to Henry's brother, Arthur, in 1501. According to historical sources, Catherine wore white at her first wedding.
The wedding dress was discovered in Spain and was made of ivory fabric with gold and silver embroidery. Costume designer De Gayle, who found the dress, added a pattern of pomegranates, which were a part of Catherine's heraldic symbol. De Gayle also created a puff sleeve shape, which made the bride appear vulnerable, fitting for the solemn occasion.
For her role in Starz's miniseries "The Spanish Princess", Catherine of Aragon, played by Charlotte Hope, wore a long veil with a pearl-encrusted headband. The headband was part of the latest trends in bridal fashion, along with veils, pearls, bustles, and covered-up looks. De Gayle noted the importance of veiling for Catherine's character, who remained veiled until she was married. The sheer veil and pearl-encrusted headband complemented each other, with the latter also serving as a trendy accessory.
The headband was paired with a dramatic double-strand necklace, reflecting the latest trends in bridal jewellery. The combination of the headband and necklace added a touch of glamour and elegance to the bridal ensemble. The headband itself became a popular choice for brides, offering a modern and stylish alternative to traditional veils or headpieces.
In conclusion, Catherine of Aragon's wedding attire, including the long veil and pearl-encrusted headband, has inspired and influenced bridal fashion trends. The choice of accessories, including the headband, added a unique and trendy touch to the bridal look, showcasing the importance of self-expression and style for modern brides.
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Catherine wore an embroidered white dress for her coronation
Catherine of Aragon was the first wife of Henry VIII. She was also previously married to Henry's older brother, Arthur, Prince of Wales. Catherine's second wedding to Henry VIII took place on 11 June 1509, seven years after Prince Arthur's death.
On the eve of her coronation, Catherine travelled in a horse-drawn litter to the Tower of London, wearing an embroidered white dress, with her long hair loose down her back. The next day, on Midsummer's Day, 24 June 1509, Henry VIII and Catherine were anointed and crowned together by the Archbishop of Canterbury at a lavish ceremony at Westminster Abbey.
Catherine's wedding dress was discovered in Spain and was made of white velvet printed with a pomegranate pattern, which was one of her heraldic symbols. The dress was embellished with a long veil adorned with tiny flowers, a pearl-encrusted headband, and a dramatic double-strand necklace.
Throughout her life, Catherine used clothing to assert her power and position. For instance, after her divorce from Henry VIII, she provocatively ordered new livery for her household embroidered with the letters "H" and "K", as though she was still married to him.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, Catherine of Aragon wore white when she married Arthur, Prince of Wales, on 14 November 1501. The dress was made of white satin.
Catherine wore an embroidered white dress for her coronation as Queen of England on 24 June 1509. It is not known whether she wore white for the wedding ceremony, which took place on 11 June 1509.
For her first wedding, Catherine wore Spanish-style clothing, as did her attendants. Her second wedding dress was found in a costume rental house in Spain. It was made of white velvet printed with a pomegranate pattern, and featured puff sleeves.
