Rhiannon Hendricks
Princess Charlotte of Wales wore a silver wedding dress, adorned with shells and flowers, when she married Prince Leopold of Saxe-Coburg-Saalfeld in 1816. This dress is the only surviving royal wedding dress from the Georgian period. Charlotte's dress was likely remodelled from a different gown in her wardrobe, as remodelling clothes was a common practice during this period. The wedding dress of Charlotte York, a character in Sex and the City, has also been referenced as an inspiration for brides. However, there are also discussions about Princess Charlotte of Wales's bridesmaid dress, which some describe as awful.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name of the person who wore the wedding dress | Princess Charlotte of Wales |
| Date of the wedding | 2 May 1816 |
| Location of the wedding | Carlton House, London |
| Colour of the wedding dress | White and silver |
| Material of the wedding dress | Silk net embroidered in silver lamé with shells and flowers |
| Designer of the wedding dress | Mrs. Triaud |
| Cost of the wedding dress | £10,000 (approximately £575,000 in 2017) |
| Television shows featuring the wedding dress | Netflix's Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story |
| Description of the wedding dress | The dress had a six-foot train, sleeves trimmed with Brussels lace, and a diamond clasp |
| Cultural significance of the wedding dress | The only surviving royal wedding dress from the Georgian period |
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What You'll Learn
- Princess Charlotte's wedding dress was silver and white
- The dress was designed by London dressmaker Mrs Triaud
- The dress was remodelled and recycled after the wedding
- The dress is the only surviving royal wedding dress from the Georgian period
- The dress was embroidered with silver lamé, shells and flowers
Princess Charlotte's wedding dress was silver and white
Princess Charlotte's wedding dress was a stunning example of early 19th-century fashion, and it is the only royal wedding dress that survives from the Georgian period. The dress was made of white and silver fabric, with a six-foot train and sleeves trimmed with Brussels lace. The silver colour was a nod to the established custom within European royal families, as was the diamond hairpin, earrings and armlet that completed the look.
The dress was designed by London dressmaker Mrs. Triaud and cost £10,000 to make, which is equivalent to approximately £575,000 in 2017. The dress was recently on display at Buckingham Palace, where visitors could admire the delicate embroidery and shimmering silver fabric up close.
The dress is described in the Princess's wedding trousseau, which refers to the personal possessions that a bride brought to her marriage. The shell-ornamented borders of the sleeves appear to be original, but it is likely that these were later combined with a different court gown from Princess Charlotte's wardrobe. This was common practice at the time, as textiles were incredibly labour-intensive and costly.
The dress is a valuable piece of history, not only because of its intricate design and high cost but also because of the tragic events that unfolded shortly after Princess Charlotte's marriage. The Princess died in childbirth in 1817 at just 21 years old, sparking a very public succession crisis for the British monarchy.
Princess Charlotte's wedding dress is a testament to the skill and craftsmanship of early 19th-century fashion and a reminder of the life and legacy of a beloved royal bride.
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The dress was designed by London dressmaker Mrs Triaud
Princess Charlotte of Wales' wedding dress was designed by London dressmaker Mrs. Triaud. The dress, which was worn at her wedding to Prince Leopold of Saxe-Coburg-Saalfeld on May 2, 1816, was a white and silver slip covered with transparent silk net embroidered in silver lamé with shells and flowers. The sleeves were trimmed with Brussels lace, and the six-foot train was made from the same material as the slip and was fastened like a cloak with a diamond clasp. The dress reportedly cost £10,000 to make, which is equivalent to approximately £575,000 in 2017. It is the only royal wedding dress that survives from the Georgian period and is now part of the collection owned by Historic Royal Palaces.
Mrs. Triaud's design for Princess Charlotte's wedding dress was influenced by the customs of the time. During the Georgian period, most women wore their best clothes on their wedding day, regardless of colour. Royal brides across Europe, however, typically wore silver gowns, as seen in the wedding dress of Princess Charlotte's mother, Queen Caroline. The silver colour of Princess Charlotte's dress was complemented by the shell-ornamented borders on the sleeves, which were likely original to the dress.
The dress also featured a six-foot train, which was typical of wedding dresses during the early 19th century. The train was made from the same transparent silk net as the slip and was embroidered with silver lamé. It was fastened with a diamond clasp, adding a touch of elegance and luxury to the overall design.
The design of Princess Charlotte's wedding dress by Mrs. Triaud was not only aesthetically pleasing but also practical. During the Georgian period, textiles were incredibly labour-intensive and costly. As a result, it was common for clothing to be remodelled and repurposed, even among the wealthy. The dress likely incorporated elements from Princess Charlotte's existing wardrobe, such as the shell-ornamented borders on the sleeves, ensuring that the dress was not only beautiful but also reflective of the customs and constraints of the time.
Overall, the design of Princess Charlotte's wedding dress by Mrs. Triaud was a magnificent creation that combined aesthetic beauty, cultural traditions, and practical considerations of the time. The dress's survival to the present day is a testament to its craftsmanship and historical significance.
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The dress was remodelled and recycled after the wedding
Princess Charlotte's wedding dress was remodelled and recycled after her wedding. The dress was a magnificent silver and white creation, featuring a six-foot train and Brussels lace sleeves. It was designed by the London dressmaker "Mrs. Triaud" and reportedly cost £10,000 to make (approximately £575,000 in 2017 value). The dress was remodelled and recycled after the wedding, as was common practice during that period due to the high cost of textiles. The shell-ornamented borders of the sleeves, for example, were likely combined with a different court gown from Princess Charlotte's wardrobe. This explains why few pieces from that era remain in their original state.
The wedding dress of Princess Charlotte of Wales, worn on her marriage to Prince Leopold of Saxe-Coburg-Saalfeld on May 2, 1816, is a notable survivor from the Georgian period. The dress was made of a white and silver slip, covered with transparent silk net embroidered in silver lamé and adorned with shells and flowers. The sleeves were trimmed with lace, and the train was made from the same material as the slip, fastened with a diamond clasp. This dress has been carefully preserved and now resides within the collection owned by Historic Royal Palaces.
The practice of remodelling and recycling clothing was commonplace during the Georgian period, especially among the wealthy. Textiles were incredibly labour-intensive and costly to produce, so it was not unusual for clothes to be constantly recycled and repurposed. This is evident in the wedding trousseau of Princess Charlotte, where the shell-ornamented borders of the sleeves were likely combined with another court gown from her wardrobe.
The precious metal thread used in Princess Charlotte's wedding dress would have been particularly expensive. The survival of this dress is due in part to the tragic events that unfolded shortly after the marriage. The dress now stands as a testament to the fashion and customs of the Georgian era, offering a glimpse into the past through its intricate design and careful preservation.
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The dress is the only surviving royal wedding dress from the Georgian period
Princess Charlotte's wedding dress is the only surviving royal wedding dress from the Georgian period. Worn on 2 May 1816, the dress was a white and silver slip, covered with transparent silk net embroidered in silver lamé with shells and flowers. The sleeves were trimmed with Brussels lace, and the six-foot train was made with the same material as the slip and was fastened like a cloak with a diamond clasp. The dress reportedly cost £10,000 to make (approximately £575,000 in 2017) and was designed by the London dressmaker Mrs. Triaud. The dress has been preserved and now forms part of the collection owned by Historic Royal Palaces.
The dress is significant not only for its survival but also for its representation of the transition to white wedding dresses. During the Georgian period, most women wore their best clothes on their wedding day, regardless of colour. It was not until the end of the 18th century that the practice of wearing a white wedding dress became established. However, royal brides across Europe tended to wear silver, following an established custom within European royal families. Princess Charlotte's dress was similar to those worn by her mother and grandmother, who also wore silver on their wedding days.
The preservation of Princess Charlotte's wedding dress is also notable given the labour-intensive nature of textile production during this period. Textiles were incredibly costly to produce and buy, and it was not unusual for clothing to be remodelled and repurposed. This may explain why the dress has been altered, with the shell-ornamented borders of the sleeves appearing to be original and later combined with a different court gown from Princess Charlotte's wardrobe.
The dress's survival is also due in part to the tragic events that unfolded shortly after Princess Charlotte's marriage. Although the specific details are unclear, it is suggested that the dress remained intact because of these unfortunate occurrences.
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The dress was embroidered with silver lamé, shells and flowers
The wedding dress of Princess Charlotte of Wales was a stunning example of early 19th-century fashion. The dress, which has been preserved, is the only royal wedding dress that survives from the Georgian period. Charlotte's gown was a white and silver slip, covered with a transparent silk net embroidered in silver lamé, shells and flowers. The dress was designed by the London dressmaker "Mrs. Triaud" and reportedly cost £10,000 to make, which is equivalent to approximately £575,000 in 2017.
The choice of silver lamé, shells and flowers for the embroidery was likely influenced by the customs of European royal families at the time. Royal brides across Europe often wore silver gowns, as did Princess Charlotte's mother, Queen Caroline, and her grandmother. The use of precious metal thread in the embroidery would have made the dress particularly expensive and luxurious. The shell-ornamented borders of the sleeves appear to be original, as described in the Princess's wedding trousseau.
The dress also featured sleeves trimmed with Brussels lace and a six-foot train made from the same material as the slip. The train was fastened like a cloak with a diamond clasp, adding to the opulence of the gown. The combination of silver lamé, shells and flowers, along with the lace and diamond accents, created a magnificent and elegant look for Princess Charlotte's wedding to Prince Leopold of Saxe-Coburg-Saalfeld on 2 May 1816.
While the dress in the historical records is quite different from the one depicted in Netflix's "Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story", both gowns showcase the importance of fashion in expressing Charlotte's character and her journey towards finding her voice and place in the royal court. The show's costume designers aimed to strike a balance between period-correct details and modern aesthetics, resulting in gowns that are fit for a Met Ball as well as a royal wedding.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, Princess Charlotte wore a white and silver slip, covered with transparent silk net embroidered in silver lamé with shells and flowers. The dress was designed by the London dressmaker Mrs. Triaud and reportedly cost £10,000 to make.
Princess Charlotte's wedding dress had sleeves trimmed with Brussels lace and a six-foot train made with the same material as the slip, which was fastened like a cloak with a diamond clasp. The dress is the only royal wedding dress that survives from the Georgian period.
Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story is a work of fiction inspired by facts. In the show, Charlotte wears a silver and white gown without the purple velvet addition described in Percy Fitzgerald's book, The Good Queen Charlotte.
