George Boyle
Royal wedding dresses are often a source of fascination for people all over the world, and their designs have a significant influence on the bridal gown industry. Royal brides are expected to follow certain traditions and guidelines, including seeking the monarch's approval for their wedding dress. While there is no official rule mandating sleeves on royal wedding dresses, royal brides usually opt for dresses with sleeves to adhere to the expectation of modesty and tradition. Notable royal wedding dresses with sleeves include those of Queen Elizabeth, Princess Diana, Kate Middleton, and Meghan Markle.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Sleeve Style | Long, lace, puffy, bell |
| Reason for Sleeves | Modesty, tradition, symbolism |
| Cleavage | Not shown |
| Shoulder Display | Not shown |
| Colour | White, cream |
| Design Approval | Queen |
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What You'll Learn
Royal wedding dresses are traditionally long-sleeved
Queen Victoria, who wore white on her wedding day, sparked the tradition for brides to wear white wedding dresses. At the time, it seemed like an odd choice, but it eventually caught on and became the norm. Similarly, royal wedding dresses are expected to be either white or cream and feature long sleeves that do not show the bride's shoulders or cleavage.
Royal wedding dresses are more about tradition and symbolism than high fashion, so it's not surprising that many of them have sleeves. For instance, Princess Diana's dress had large puffy sleeves, and Kate Middleton's dress had long lace sleeves. Even Queen Silvia's silk duchesse gown featured bell sleeves.
Although royal brides usually opt for dresses with sleeves, there are some exceptions. For example, Princess Charlene of Monaco and Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden both wore chic off-shoulder gowns on their wedding day.
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The Queen must approve the dress
Royal wedding dresses are often expected to have sleeves, and this is largely due to the modesty expected of royal brides. While the bride chooses her wedding gown and works with a designer on the style, the Queen must approve the dress. The Queen has the final say, and she gets a private sneak peek of the dress to approve it before its public debut. This tradition ensures that the dress adheres to the level of tradition and modesty expected of royal brides.
For example, Queen Elizabeth, Princess Diana, and Kate Middleton all wore dresses with sleeves. Princess Diana's dress, designed by British duo Elizabeth and David Emanuel, featured large puffy sleeves and a 25-foot train adorned with approximately 10,000 pearls. Kate Middleton's dress, designed by Sarah Burton for Alexander McQueen, also had sleeves and a low-cut but elegant neckline.
Meghan Markle's dress, designed by Ralph & Russo, Erdem, or Burberry, was also expected to have sleeves. While her style is typically edgier and more fashion-forward than Kate Middleton's, her wedding dress was anticipated to be classic and modest, befitting a princess. The Queen's approval of Markle's dress ensured that it met the expected standards of royal wedding attire.
In addition to the Queen's approval, royal wedding dresses are expected to be white or cream, with long sleeves, and should not reveal the bride's shoulders or cleavage. These traditions, including the preference for sleeves, stem from decades of royal customs and continue to influence bridal fashion worldwide.
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Royal wedding dresses are usually white
Royal wedding dresses are steeped in tradition and symbolism, and are usually white. The tradition of wearing white was started by Queen Victoria, who wore a white wedding dress, an unusual choice at the time. However, it eventually caught on, and wearing a white wedding dress became the norm. Royal brides typically wear long-sleeved gowns, with modest necklines, and often top off the look with a tiara.
Queen Elizabeth, Princess Diana, and Kate Middleton all wore dresses with sleeves, and Meghan Markle followed this tradition, wearing long sleeves for her wedding to Prince Harry. Markle's dress was described as modern and simple, with a twist of romance. Kate Middleton's dress also had long lace sleeves, with a low-cut, yet still modest, neckline. Princess Diana's dress, on the other hand, had large puffy sleeves, with a 25-foot train, the longest in royal history.
Royal brides often choose dresses with sleeves for modesty, and to stand the test of time. The Queen must approve of the dress before the wedding, so it must adhere to a certain level of tradition. Royal wedding dresses are usually white or cream, and royals traditionally only wear black during funerals.
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Royal brides carry a bouquet of myrtle
Royal wedding dresses tend to be more about tradition and symbolism than high fashion, so it's not surprising that many of them have sleeves. Royal brides are expected to choose dresses that are both traditional and classic, with a certain level of modesty. This is why you won't find many strapless or sleeveless royal gowns.
One of the most well-known traditions for royal brides is to carry a bouquet of myrtle. The custom dates back to Queen Victoria, who was given a myrtle plant by Prince Albert's grandmother. Myrtle was believed to symbolise love, and Queen Victoria started the tradition of planting a sprig of myrtle from her bouquet, which would then be used by the next bride in the British royal family.
Since then, every royal bride has incorporated myrtle into her bouquet in some way. For example, Princess Diana's cascading bouquet included gardenias, orchids, lily of the valley, and myrtle. Kate Middleton's small, wired posy also featured myrtle, along with lily of the valley, sweet William, and hyacinth. Meghan Markle's bouquet is also said to have included myrtle, though the specific flowers used have not been widely publicised.
Following the wedding, it is tradition for the bride's bouquet to be sent back to Westminster Abbey, where it is placed on the Grave of the Unknown Warrior. This tradition was started by the late Queen Mother after her wedding in 1923.
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Royal wedding dresses are timeless and traditional
Royal wedding dresses have always been a major source of fascination for people of all ages and from all walks of life. The timelessness and traditionalism of these gowns continue to inspire and influence the bridal fashion industry.
Royal brides are expected to adhere to certain traditions and guidelines when it comes to their wedding attire. Modesty and elegance are key, with long sleeves being a common feature to provide coverage and uphold the level of tradition expected of a royal wedding. The choice of sleeve style can vary, from graceful bell sleeves to Princess Diana's iconic puffy sleeves, but their presence is a defining characteristic of royal wedding dresses.
The colour of the dress is also significant. White or cream are the traditional choices, a tradition started by Queen Victoria. The dress must also be grand and regal, befitting the grandeur of the occasion and the setting, such as Westminster Abbey. The design must also be mindful of the monarch's approval, as the Queen has the final say on the bride's wedding dress.
Another notable tradition is the inclusion of myrtle in the bridal bouquet. This custom was started by Queen Victoria, who received a myrtle plant from Prince Albert's grandmother. After the wedding, the bouquet is left at the Tomb of the Unknown Warrior at Westminster Abbey, a gesture first performed by the late Queen Elizabeth I in 1923.
Royal wedding dresses are not just fashion statements but symbolic representations of timeless elegance and tradition. The fusion of modernity and classicism in these gowns captivates the world and continues to inspire bridal fashion trends for years to come.
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Frequently asked questions
Royal brides are expected to wear long sleeves and not show their shoulders or cleavage. This tradition is rooted in modesty and has been followed by Queen Elizabeth, Princess Diana, and Kate Middleton.
Royal wedding dresses are expected to be white or cream, and the reigning monarch must approve of the dress before the bride walks down the aisle. Royal brides also traditionally carry a bouquet of myrtle.
Notable royal wedding dresses with sleeves include Princess Diana's dress with puffy sleeves and a 25-foot train, Queen Silvia's silk duchesse gown with bell sleeves, and Kate Middleton's dress with long lace sleeves.
