Franklin Dean
Princess Diana's wedding dress is arguably the most famous in history. Designed by David and Elizabeth Emanuel, the ivory silk taffeta and antique lace gown featured a 25-foot train and a 153-yard tulle veil, valued at the time at £9,000 (approximately $43,573 in 2023). The dress was intricately embroidered with sequins, frilled lace, and 10,000 pearls, and is estimated to be worth $115,000 today. With its dramatic unveiling on her wedding day to Prince Charles in 1981, the dress set new trends in wedding fashion and remains one of the most iconic royal looks.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Designer | David and Elizabeth Emanuel |
| Fabric | Ivory silk taffeta, antique lace |
| Train | 25 feet (7.6 m) |
| Veil | 153 yards (140 m) tulle |
| Value | £9,000 ($43,573 in 2023) |
| Tiara | Spencer family heirloom |
| Embroidery | Hand-embroidered with 10,000 pearls and mother-of-pearl sequins |
| Good Luck Charm | 18-carat gold horseshoe studded with white diamonds |
| Something Blue | A small blue bow sewn into the waistband |
| Something Old | Antique lace |
| Perfume | Quelques Fleurs |
| Weight Loss | Dropped from a size 14 to a size 10 before the wedding |
| Replicas | Available within hours of the wedding |
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What You'll Learn
The dress's design and features
Princess Diana's wedding dress is one of the most iconic and recognisable garments of the 20th century. The silk taffeta and antique lace gown was designed by David and Elizabeth Emanuel and featured a 25-foot train and a 153-yard tulle veil. The Emanuels described the dress as something that "had to be something that was going to go down in history, but also something that Diana loved" and which would be "suitably dramatic in order to make an impression".
The dress was decorated with hand embroidery, sequins, and 10,000 pearls, centring on a heart motif. The lace used to trim it was antique and handmade, and a square of Carrickmacross lace that once belonged to Queen Mary was attached to the gown. The bodice of the dress featured a piece of antique lace that was a donation from the Royal School of Needlework. An 18-karat gold horseshoe was stitched into the petticoats as a sign of good fortune, and a small blue bow was sewn into the waistband as Diana's "something blue".
The Emanuels also designed a backup dress, which would have been used if the design of the main dress had been revealed before the wedding. The backup dress was made of pale ivory silk taffeta with embroidered scalloped details on the hem and sleeves and shared some features with the main dress, including a V-neck, three-quarter sleeves, and a wide skirt.
The dress set wedding fashion trends after the wedding, with large puffed sleeves, full skirts, and soft touch fabrics becoming popular requests. Copies of the dress were available within hours of the wedding, and it is still considered a "gold standard" in wedding fashion.
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The dress's influence on wedding fashion
The influence of Princess Diana's wedding dress on bridal fashion cannot be overstated. When she married Prince Charles in 1981, her dress set a new standard and trend for bridal gowns that is still felt today. Designed by David and Elizabeth Emanuel, the dress was a perfect example of the over-the-top, romantic style of the time. The billowing sleeves, full skirt, and lengthy train created an instantly iconic look that has left an enduring mark on wedding fashion.
One of the most distinctive features of Princess Diana's wedding dress was its volume. The use of layers of taffeta, tulle, and netting created a sense of drama and opulence. This inspired a trend for more extravagant, fuller skirts and longer trains, with many brides seeking to emulate the fairytale-like quality of Diana's dress. The use of these fabrics and the overall silhouette set a precedent for grand, statement-making bridal gowns.
The intricate details of the dress also left their mark on wedding fashion. The bodice, adorned with hand-embroidered pearls, sequins, and delicate lace, added a sense of elegance and sophistication. This attention to detail and emphasis on intricate embellishments inspired brides and designers alike to incorporate similar elements into their own creations. The trend for more ornate and detailed bodices, often featuring intricate beading, embroidery, and lace, can be traced back to the influence of Princess Diana's dress.
Additionally, the long, full sleeves of Princess Diana's dress had a significant impact on bridal fashion. Prior to her wedding, sleeveless or short-sleeved wedding dresses were more common. However, the style set a new trend for longer sleeves, with many brides opting for more modest and elegant coverage. The trend for longer sleeves has endured and continues to be a popular choice for brides, offering a timeless and sophisticated look.
The dress's influence extended beyond the specific design elements and also impacted the overall aesthetic and approach to bridal fashion. Princess Diana's choice to buck tradition and opt for a more romantic, fairytale-inspired look inspired brides to embrace their own personal styles and preferences. This shift empowered brides to make bolder choices, incorporating their unique personalities and tastes into their wedding attire.
Lastly, the legacy of Princess Diana's wedding dress can also be seen in the continued popularity of vintage-inspired and royal-influenced wedding gowns. The timeless elegance and romanticism of her dress have endured, and many modern brides seek to capture a similar sense of magic and grandeur. Designers often draw on the iconic style of Princess Diana's dress, creating modern interpretations that pay homage to the original while offering fresh and updated takes on the classic design.
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The dress's designers
Princess Diana's wedding dress was designed by David and Elizabeth Emanuel, also known as the Emanuels. The Emanuels headed the Emanuel Salon. David Emanuel is a Welsh fashion designer, born and raised in Bridgend in Glamorgan, South Wales. He attended Porthcawl Secondary School, where he excelled in music and art. He became the head choir boy at his local church and played the violin in the County Youth Orchestra. Emanuel also taught himself to play the cello.
Princess Diana personally selected the designers to make her wedding dress because she was fond of a chiffon blouse they designed for her formal photo session with Lord Snowdon. The Emanuels were one of Diana's favourite designers before her marriage. She was also impressed by a gown they designed for supermodel Jerry Hall, which she wore to Queen Elizabeth II's 80th birthday celebration in 1980.
The Emanuels described the dress as something that "had to be something that was going to go down in history, but also something that Diana loved," and which would be "suitably dramatic in order to make an impression." The gown was crafted from ivory silk taffeta and antique Carrickmacross lace, which had previously belonged to Diana’s great-grandmother-in-law, Queen Mary. The dress was decorated with hand embroidery, sequins, and 10,000 pearls, centring on a heart motif. The Emanuels also designed a backup gown for "peace of mind," in case the design of the original was leaked before the wedding.
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The dress's cost
Princess Diana's wedding dress, now considered one of the most iconic gowns ever worn by a royal bride, was valued at £9,000 at the time of her wedding in 1981—equivalent to $43,573 in 2023. The dress was designed by David and Elizabeth Emanuel, who described it as a dress that "had to be something that was going to go down in history, but also something that Diana loved".
The Emanuels' design was an ivory silk taffeta and antique lace gown, with a 25-foot (7.6 m) train and a 153-yard (140 m) tulle veil. The dress featured hand embroidery, sequins, and 10,000 pearls, centring on a heart motif. The lace used to trim the gown was antique and handmade, and a square of Carrickmacross lace that once belonged to Queen Mary was attached to the bodice. An 18-karat gold horseshoe was also stitched into the petticoats as a sign of good fortune.
The dress set wedding fashion trends after the wedding, with large puffed sleeves, full skirts, and soft touch fabrics becoming popular requests. Copies by other dressmakers were available within hours of the wedding, and the Emanuels continued to receive requests for replicas of the dress as recently as 2011. Today, the dress is considered a "gold standard" in wedding fashion, with elements of its design still influencing bridal fashion.
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$47.99
The dress's whereabouts
Princess Diana's wedding dress is one of the most iconic bridal gowns of all time. Designed by David and Elizabeth Emanuel, the silk taffeta dress was hand-embroidered with mother-of-pearl sequins and an estimated 10,000 pearls. The gown also featured a dramatic 25-foot train and a 153-yard tulle veil, setting new trends in wedding fashion.
Following the royal wedding, a duplicate version of the dress went on display at Madame Tussauds. Replicas of the dress also surfaced, with manufacturers rushing to recreate the iconic design. In 2007, bridal retailers still considered Diana's dress the "gold standard", emphasising its lasting influence.
In 2018, Elizabeth Emanuel shared some behind-the-scenes details about the dress design process, stating that Princess Diana was lovely and easygoing and that the team had a lot of fun creating the dress. She also revealed that they had constructed an alternate wedding dress for Princess Diana in case the design was leaked before the wedding. This dress, which was revealed in 2011, was also made of ivory silk taffeta but lacked the signature lace of the original.
The original wedding dress was last exhibited at Kensington Palace in the "Royal Style in the Making" exhibition, which closed on 2 January 2022. The exhibition also showcased the provenance of the historic lace used in the dress, which included a square of Carrickmacross lace that once belonged to Queen Mary.
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Frequently asked questions
Princess Diana's wedding dress was valued at £9,000 at the time of her wedding, which is equivalent to $43,573 in 2023.
Princess Diana's wedding dress was made of ivory silk taffeta and antique lace with a 25-foot train and a 153-yard tulle veil. The dress was designed by David and Elizabeth Emanuel and featured hand embroidery, sequins, and 10,000 pearls.
Princess Diana bequeathed her wedding dress to her sons, Princes William and Harry, in her will. They officially inherited it in 2014 and have since loaned it out for exhibitions, including the "Royal Style in the Making" show at Kensington Palace in 2021.
