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Queen Elizabeth's wedding dress has been described as one of the most fashion-forward dresses of its time. The dress was designed by Norman Hartnell and featured a 15-foot train. The dress was made from ivory silk and was decorated with 10,000 seed pearls. It was designed in less than three months and has been described as the most beautiful dress I ever made by Hartnell. The dress was paid for using ration coupons, which the then-Princess Elizabeth dutifully saved up for the gown.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Length of the train | 15 feet |
| Material | Satin |
| Designer | Norman Hartnell |
| Time taken to make the dress | Less than three months |
| No. of people involved in making the dress | 350 women |
| Cost of making the dress | £30,000 |
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What You'll Learn
The 15-foot train was made from ivory silk
Queen Elizabeth II's wedding dress was designed by Norman Hartnell, who aimed to create a gown that was "the most beautiful dress I had so far made". The 15-foot train was made from ivory silk and was inspired by Botticelli's paintings, which Hartnell had seen in London art galleries. The silk was sourced from Nationalist China, rather than Japan or Italy, due to the recent war with those countries. The Queen Mother specifically requested an "unusually rich, lustrous stiff satin which was made at Lullingstone Castle".
The train was heavily embellished with 10,000 seed pearls, crystals, and applique duchess satin. It featured exquisite embroidery, including star flowers, roses, jasmine blossoms, and ears of wheat. The wheat was included as a symbol of fertility. The dress was designed and created in less than three months, with 350 women working on it to ensure that Princess Elizabeth would have the wedding of her dreams.
The dress was kept secret until the wedding day, as the princess wanted to prevent fashion houses from copying the design and making last-minute alterations impossible. On the day, the dress glittered and bejewelled, with flowing lines of wheat ears worked in pearl and diamante. The gown had a heart-shaped neckline, long tight sleeves, and a full skirt. It was paired with embellished satin heels made by Edward Rayne and a silk tulle veil.
The wedding dress of Queen Elizabeth II has become iconic, with its creation steeped in history. The use of ration coupons to pay for the dress and the involvement of various craftsmen and women in its creation add to the story behind this magnificent gown. The dress has drawn comparisons to those worn by Grace Kelly and Catherine Middleton, with particular points of similarity highlighted in the pleats and silhouette of the skirt.
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The dress was designed by Norman Hartnell
The wedding dress of Queen Elizabeth (then known as Princess Elizabeth) was designed by Norman Hartnell, a British designer. Hartnell was announced as the designer of the gown just three months before the wedding. He submitted 12 potential designs to the royal family, and once one was approved, he began constructing the duchess satin gown. The dress was made of ivory silk and featured a 15-foot train. It was decorated with 10,000 seed pearls, crystal beading, and embroidery of roses, jasmine blossoms, and ears of wheat, symbolising post-war rebirth.
The design of the dress was inspired by Botticelli's figure in London art galleries, specifically his painting Primavera, which symbolises the coming of spring. Hartnell chose ivory silk with flower designs of jasmine, smilax, lilac, and white rose-like blossoms added to the train, embellished by white crystals and pearls. The motifs were transferred to drawings to enable embroidery experts to work on them.
The dress featured a sweetheart or heart-shaped neckline and long, tight sleeves. The silk cloth was chosen at the specific request of Queen Elizabeth's mother, who desired an "unusually rich, lustrous stiff satin" made at Lullingstone Castle. The silkworms to manufacture the silk were sourced from Nationalist China, rather than the UK's war-time enemies, Japan and Italy.
The construction of the dress was a complex process, requiring the importation of 10,000 pearls from the United States. Hartnell's team declared the gemstones at customs and paid the duty tax on them. The total cost of the gown reached $42,000, equivalent to approximately $1.6 million today.
The dress was delivered to Buckingham Palace a day before the wedding in a 4-foot box. On the wedding day, the dress glittered, bejewelled with pearls and diamante, with flowing lines of wheat, the symbol of fertility. The train was made of satin, while a more flexible material of the same tone was chosen for the dress. The final design was kept secret, as Princess Elizabeth wanted to prevent fashion houses from copying it and making last-minute alterations impossible.
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It was decorated with 10,000 seed pearls
Queen Elizabeth's wedding dress was designed by Norman Hartnell and was made from ivory silk. The dress was decorated with 10,000 seed pearls, as well as crystals, diamanté, and embroidered motifs of star flowers, roses, jasmine blossoms, and ears of wheat. The 15-foot train was made of satin, chosen for its lustre and stiffness, and was inspired by Botticelli's paintings. The silk for the dress was sourced from Nationalist China, rather than the UK's enemies during the war, Japan and Italy.
The dress was designed and created in less than three months, with the final design approved in mid-August, just three months before the wedding. Three hundred and fifty women worked on the dress, and each was allowed to place one stitch in the gown before it was delivered to Buckingham Palace. The dress was kept secret until the wedding day, as Princess Elizabeth feared that fashion houses would copy the design, preventing her from making any last-minute alterations.
The dress was considered fashion-forward and set a new bridal style where no detail was left undone. It featured a heart-shaped neckline, long tight sleeves, a carefully tailored bodice, and a full skirt that led to the dramatic 15-foot train. The young bride complemented the look with a double strand of pearls, a diamond tiara, and embellished satin heels.
The wedding of Princess Elizabeth and Prince Philip on November 20, 1947, was a significant event in the postwar era. Despite the challenges of rationing, the future Queen Elizabeth saved clothing coupons to purchase her dream wedding dress. The dress wowed the nation and has become an iconic symbol of royal weddings.
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The dress was paid for with clothing ration coupons
Queen Elizabeth II's wedding dress is considered one of the most fashionable of its time. The then-Princess Elizabeth wedded Prince Philip at Westminster Abbey on November 20, 1947. The dress was designed by Norman Hartnell and was made of ivory silk satin, encrusted with 10,000 seed pearls, and embroidered with star lilies and orange blossoms. The dress featured a sweetheart neckline, long fitted sleeves, a carefully tailored bodice, and a full skirt that led to a 15-foot-long train.
The wedding took place just two years after World War II, and Britain was still recovering from the devastating losses of the war. Rationing was in effect for everyone, including the royal family. Princess Elizabeth had to pay for her wedding dress using clothing ration coupons, which she diligently saved up. The rationing scheme allocated a point value to each type of clothing item, based on the material and labour involved in its creation. Adults were initially allocated 66 points for one year, which was reduced to 24 coupons in 1946. A dress required 11 coupons, and the government granted the Princess 200 extra coupons to create her wedding dress.
Despite the challenging circumstances, Princess Elizabeth was determined to have her dream wedding dress. Norman Hartnell, the chosen designer, was known for his exquisite gowns and was tasked with creating a dress fit for a princess and future queen. The embroiderers in his workrooms set to work, and the final gown, with its magnificent train, was indeed a dream come true.
The story of Queen Elizabeth's wedding dress is a testament to the resilience and creativity of the post-war era. The dress not only represented a fairytale moment for the Princess but also symbolised the country's recovery and hope for a brighter future. The use of clothing ration coupons, carefully saved and supplemented by the government, adds a unique touch to the already historic wedding ensemble.
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The gown was embroidered with flowers
Queen Elizabeth's wedding dress was designed by Norman Hartnell, who aimed to create "the most beautiful dress I had so far made". The gown was indeed a dream come true for the then-Princess Elizabeth, featuring a 15-foot train adorned with intricate embroidery. The embroidery on the train depicted exquisite flowers, including jasmine, smilax, lilac, and white rose-like blossoms. These floral motifs were carefully crafted using ivory silk, crystals, and pearls, creating a stunning visual effect.
The choice of ivory silk for the gown was intentional, with the silk being sourced from Nationalist China rather than the UK's recent enemies, Japan and Italy. This silk formed the canvas for the intricate embroidery that brought the flowers to life. The flowers themselves held symbolic significance, with jasmine often associated with sensuality and grace, and roses traditionally symbolizing love and beauty.
The embroidery on the gown's train was not limited to floral designs. It also incorporated flowing lines of wheat ears, a symbol of fertility, worked in pearl and diamante. This intricate mix of materials and motifs added depth and dimension to the train, creating a truly regal effect. The embroidery, with its delicate stitching and attention to detail, showcased the skills of Hartnell's embroiderers and the workshop he tucked away in his lavish Mayfair premises.
The process of creating the gown involved hundreds of people, all working together to ensure that Princess Elizabeth's wedding vision became a reality. The embroiderers, in particular, played a crucial role in bringing the floral motifs to life on the train. The result was a breathtaking combination of artistry and craftsmanship, a true testament to the talent and dedication of those involved.
The gown's 15-foot train, with its embroidered flowers, created a dramatic silhouette as Princess Elizabeth walked down the aisle at Westminster Abbey. The train trailed behind her, showcasing the exquisite embroidery to the guests and creating a lasting impression. The wedding, which took place on November 20, 1947, marked the first major celebration of the postwar era, and the gown's intricate details, including the embroidered flowers, captivated the nation.
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Frequently asked questions
Queen Elizabeth's wedding dress train was 15 feet long.
Queen Elizabeth's wedding dress was made of ivory silk.
Queen Elizabeth's wedding dress was designed by Norman Hartnell.
It took less than three months to make Queen Elizabeth's wedding dress.
Norman Hartnell's search for suitable designs in London art galleries led him to Botticelli's figure as the inspiration for the use of ivory silk with flower designs.
