George Boyle
Queen Elizabeth II's wedding dress was paid for using ration coupons. The then-Princess Elizabeth had to save up clothing coupons to purchase her wedding dress, as the wedding took place in 1947, just two years after the end of World War II, and Britain was still recovering from the Blitz. The ivory silk gown, decorated with 10,000 seed pearls, was designed by Norman Hartnell and took 350 women seven weeks to make.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Year of wedding | 1947 |
| Wedding dress designer | Norman Hartnell |
| Fabric | Ivory silk from China |
| Design | Heart-shaped neckline, full skirt, 15-foot train |
| Inspiration | Botticelli's painting of Primavera from 1482 |
| Symbolism | Rebirth and growth in post-war Britain |
| Number of workers | 350 women |
| Time taken | 7 weeks |
| Payment method | Ration coupons |
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What You'll Learn
- Queen Elizabeth's wedding dress was paid for using ration coupons
- She saved up clothing coupons to purchase her wedding dress
- The dress was made from ivory silk and decorated with 10,000 seed pearls
- It took 350 women seven weeks to make the dress
- The dress symbolised rebirth and growth in Britain after the war
Queen Elizabeth's wedding dress was paid for using ration coupons
Queen Elizabeth II's wedding dress was paid for using ration coupons. The then-Princess Elizabeth married Prince Philip in 1947, just two years after the end of World War II. At the time, the British government was still recovering from the Blitz, and rationing was in effect for everyone, including the royal family. The future Queen saved up clothing coupons to purchase her wedding dress, and was granted 200 extra coupons for the celebration. Admirers of the royal family sent her their coupons through the mail, which she returned with a note explaining that it was illegal to transfer them.
The dress itself was made from ivory silk and decorated with 10,000 seed pearls. It was designed by couturier Norman Hartnell, who wanted it to be "the most beautiful dress I had so far made". The gown took 350 women seven weeks to make. Hartnell's signature elaborate embroidery was not spared, despite the post-war budget constraints. The dress's 15-foot train was inspired by Botticelli's painting "Primavera" from 1482 and featured delicate floral designs, symbolising "rebirth and growth" in Britain after the war.
The wedding of Princess Elizabeth and Prince Philip was a grand affair, providing an escape from the post-war austerity in the UK. The bride's dress and tiara were described as "knockout" by her bridesmaid, Lady Pamela Hicks. The groom, Prince Philip, was also described as "every girl's dream Viking prince". The couple's nuptials ushered in a new bridal style, where no detail went undone.
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She saved up clothing coupons to purchase her wedding dress
In 1947, two years after World War II, then-Princess Elizabeth paid for her wedding dress using clothing ration coupons. The wedding served as an escape from post-war austerity in the UK, but the country was still recovering from the Blitz, and rationing was in effect for everyone, including the royal family. The future Queen saved up clothing coupons to purchase her wedding dress.
The government granted Princess Elizabeth 200 extra clothing ration coupons for her wedding, but this was not enough to cover the cost of the dress. Each coupon was worth a certain number of points, and the value of each item of clothing was determined by the material and labour that went into making it. For an adult dress, 11 coupons were required, and adults were initially given 66 points for one year, which was later reduced to 24 coupons in 1946.
Princess Elizabeth's dress was designed by Norman Hartnell, who wanted it to be "the most beautiful dress I had so far made". It was made of ivory silk from China and featured a 15-foot train inspired by Botticelli's Primavera, adorned with floral motifs symbolising rebirth and growth. The dress was encrusted with thousands of seed pearls from the United States and took 350 women seven weeks to create.
The story of Princess Elizabeth's wedding dress is a testament to her support for her country during a difficult time in its history. By using clothing coupons and adhering to rationing measures, she set an example for her people and demonstrated her commitment to leading by example.
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The dress was made from ivory silk and decorated with 10,000 seed pearls
The wedding dress of Princess Elizabeth (the future Queen Elizabeth II) was made from ivory silk and decorated with 10,000 seed pearls. The dress was designed by Norman Hartnell, who had been the Court Designer since 1938. Hartnell's signature style included embroidery, and he particularly enjoyed "working with soft, floating fabrics, particularly tulle and chiffon, and with plain, lustrous silks". The silk for the dress was sourced from China, rather than from Italy or Japan, the UK's enemies during the war. The dress was designed to symbolise rebirth and growth in Britain after the Second World War, with its 13-foot train inspired by Botticelli's c. 1482 painting of Primavera. The painting's elaborate embroidery motifs of scattered flowers on the rich satin dress and the tulle veil worn by the royal bride were reflected in the dress's floral designs of jasmine, smilax, lilac and white rose-like blossoms. The dress featured a heart-shaped neckline, long tight sleeves, a high neckline, a tailored bodice, and a short train. It took 350 women seven weeks to make the gown.
Despite the careful choice of silk, the fabric deteriorated considerably over time due to the weight of the embroidery. The choice of silk was noted by the curator of the London Museum as "not a good one", as the fabric had been weighted with tin salts, effectively rotting it. The weight of the embroidery also increased the strain on the weave.
Princess Elizabeth's wedding dress was a significant event in British fashion history, given the austerity measures in place following the Second World War. The Princess had to use clothing ration coupons to purchase the materials for her dress, and even then, the government only allowed her 200 extra coupons for the wedding. She received hundreds more from well-wishers across the country but had to return them as it was illegal to transfer ration coupons.
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It took 350 women seven weeks to make the dress
In 1947, two years after the end of World War II, Princess Elizabeth married Prince Philip. As the future queen, one might assume she had an unlimited budget for her wedding dress. However, due to post-war austerity, she had to pay for her gown using ration coupons. The design of her dress, a stunning ivory silk gown decorated with 10,000 seed pearls and a 15-foot train, was approved just three months before the wedding. It was designed by Norman Hartnell, who called it "the most beautiful dress I had so far made".
Hartnell's design was inspired by Sandro Botticelli's "Primavera", full of flowing lines and flowers reminiscent of the painting. The gown and its evocation of spring were meant to symbolize "rebirth and growth" in Britain after the war. The dress was made from silk imported from China, rather than Japan or Italy, due to the proximity of the war. The design included careful tailoring of the bodice, a dramatic train, and the embroidering of the train with floral designs, including jasmine, smilax, seringa, and rose-like blossoms.
It took a team of 350 women seven weeks to bring Hartnell's intricate design to life. One of the women who worked on the dress, Betty Foster, recalled: "I had forgotten how beautiful it was, with that exquisite train—and how small the Princess was". The dress was a huge success, with one of the Princess's bridesmaids, Lady Pamela Hicks, commenting: "With her bridal dress and tiara on her wedding day, she was a knockout, and, of course, Philip was every girl’s dream Viking prince".
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The dress symbolised rebirth and growth in Britain after the war
Princess Elizabeth, the future Queen Elizabeth II, paid for her wedding dress using clothing ration coupons, which she saved up until she could afford the gown. The government also granted her a 200-coupon supplement. The dress was designed by Norman Hartnell, who wanted it to be "the most beautiful dress I had so far made". It was made of ivory silk from China, with a 13-foot train inspired by Botticelli's Primavera. The dress was decorated with 10,000 seed pearls, crystals, and flowing lines of wheat, symbolising fertility. The silk for the dress was chosen by the Queen Mother, who wanted a "rich, lustrous stiff satin". The dress was designed to symbolise rebirth and growth in Britain after World War II.
The wedding of Princess Elizabeth and Prince Philip took place in November 1947, only two years after the end of World War II. Britain was still recovering from the war, and the country was experiencing austerity and rationing. The wedding served as an escape from the post-war hardships and brought joy and celebration to the British people. The dress, with its intricate design and symbolism, played a significant role in representing the hope and optimism of a nation looking towards the future.
The choice of Chinese silk for the dress was intentional, as silk from Japan or Italy was avoided due to their recent status as enemies during the war. The floral designs on the train, including jasmine, smilax, seringa, and rose-like blossoms, further emphasised the theme of rebirth and growth. The dress took seven weeks to create, with 350 women working on it. The long and intricate process ensured that the final gown was a masterpiece, symbolising the unity and collective effort of the British people in rebuilding their country.
The wedding dress of Princess Elizabeth became a symbol of hope and a sign that Britain was entering a new era of peace and prosperity. The intricate embroidery, the flowing lines, and the carefully selected materials all contributed to the dress's iconic status. The symbolism of rebirth and growth resonated with the British public, who saw the wedding as a turning point, marking the end of the war years and the beginning of a brighter future. The dress, with its exquisite beauty and intricate craftsmanship, became a testament to the resilience and spirit of a nation emerging from the shadows of conflict.
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Frequently asked questions
Queen Elizabeth paid for her wedding dress using ration coupons. She saved up clothing coupons to purchase her wedding dress, and was granted 200 extra coupons for the celebration.
Queen Elizabeth's wedding dress was made from ivory silk from China, and was decorated with 10,000 seed pearls.
It is unclear how much Queen Elizabeth's wedding dress cost, but it took 350 women seven weeks to make.
