Deborah Chan
Princess Diana's wedding dress is one of the most iconic gowns 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. The dress was so anticipated that the Emanuels had to keep its design a closely guarded secret, even installing a safe to protect their sketches and fabric swatches. In 2021, the original gown was put on display at Kensington Palace as part of the Royal Style in the Making exhibition, on loan from Princess Diana's sons, Prince William and Prince Harry. The Princess Diana Museum also displays a replica wedding dress, The Spare, created by Elizabeth Emanuel as a backup in case the original was stolen, burned, or otherwise revealed to the public before the wedding.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Displayed at Kensington Palace | 2021-2022 |
| Displayed at Princess Diana Museum | Yes |
| Designers | David and Elizabeth Emanuel |
| Fabric | Ivory silk taffeta and antique lace |
| Train | 25 feet (7.6 m) |
| Veil | 153 yards (140 m) tulle veil |
| Pearls | 10,000 |
| Cost | $43,573 in 2023 |
| Backup dress | Yes |
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What You'll Learn
The dress was loaned by her sons, Princes William and Harry, for the exhibition
Princess Diana's wedding dress is an iconic garment in royal wedding history. The ivory silk taffeta and antique lace gown, with its 25-foot train and 153-yard tulle veil, was designed by David and Elizabeth Emanuel. Diana personally selected the designers, having previously worn a chiffon blouse they designed for her formal photo session with Lord Snowdon. 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 Princess Diana Museum also displays a replica wedding dress, known as "The Spare", which was created by Elizabeth Emanuel as a backup in case the original was stolen, damaged, or its design exposed. The museum also exhibits original wedding archives, including notes about Diana's flowers and the origins of her veil, as well as a piece of wedding cake over 43 years old.
The original gown was bequeathed by Diana to her sons, who officially inherited it in 2014. Since then, they have loaned it out for exhibitions, allowing the public to view this iconic piece of fashion history.
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It was designed by David and Elizabeth Emanuel
Princess Diana's wedding dress was designed by David and Elizabeth Emanuel, a husband-and-wife duo. 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 would be "suitably dramatic in order to make an impression".
Diana personally selected the designers because she was fond of a custom-made chiffon blouse they designed for her engagement portrait session with Lord Snowdon. The Emanuels' design for Princess Diana's wedding dress was a closely guarded secret. They even installed a safe to keep designs and fabric swatches. Elizabeth Emanuel recalled that "it sounds a bit over-the-top, but it really did seem like people would go to any lengths to find out what the dress looked like".
The Emanuels also created a backup dress for "peace of mind", in case the design of the original dress was leaked. This backup dress has since been lost. The original dress was an ivory silk taffeta and antique lace gown, with a 25-foot train and a 153-yard tulle veil. The gown was decorated with hand embroidery, sequins, and 10,000 pearls, centring on a heart motif. The Emanuels also created a parasol in matching taffeta in case of rain on the wedding day.
The wedding dress was loaned by Diana's sons, Prince William and Prince Harry, for display at the "`Royal Style in the Making`" exhibition at Kensington Palace, which ran from 2021 to 2022.
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$39.99 $42.99
The gown was decorated with 10,000 pearls and valued at $115,000
Princess Diana's wedding dress was an ivory silk taffeta gown with a 25-foot train and a 153-yard tulle veil. Designed by David and Elizabeth Emanuel, the dress was intricately embroidered with sequins, frilled lace, and 10,000 pearls. The gown was valued at an estimated $115,000, making it a stunning display of style and grandiosity. The dress became one of the most famous in the world and sparked multiple copycat dresses over the years. It remains one of the most iconic royal looks.
The bodice of the dress featured a piece of antique Carrick-ma-cross lace that once belonged to King Charles III's great-grandmother, Queen Mary. This square of fabric connected Diana to royal history and was either found in a bag of scraps or donated by the Royal School of Needlework. The lace trim and train of the dress were created by Roger Watson Laces, one of their regular suppliers.
The dress was loaned to the "'Royal Style in the Making' exhibition at Kensington Palace by her sons, Prince William and Prince Harry, who inherited it in 2014. The exhibition also featured a rare surviving toile for a gown worn by Queen Elizabeth (the Queen Mother) for King George VI's coronation.
The Emanuels also designed a second gown for Diana's wedding day, which has since disappeared. This backup dress was also made from ivory silk taffeta but did not feature the antique lace. It was embroidered with scalloped details and tiny pearls sewn onto the bodice.
The original wedding dress remains an iconic garment in royal wedding history and was the result of Diana's personal selection of the designers, who had previously created a custom chiffon blouse for her engagement portrait session. The dress was a well-kept secret until its dramatic unveiling on Diana's wedding day, with the designers going to great lengths to keep details under wraps.
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Diana had a back-up dress in case something went wrong
Princess Diana's wedding dress is currently on display at Kensington Palace as part of the "Royal Style in the Making" exhibition. The iconic gown, designed by David and Elizabeth Emanuel, features a 25-foot train and a 153-yard tulle veil. It is known for its intricate details, including hand embroidery, sequins, and 10,000 pearls.
What some may not know is that Diana had a back-up dress in case something went wrong with the original. The backup gown was created by the same designers, who wanted to ensure they had a plan in case of any emergencies or if the original design was leaked to the public. Elizabeth Emanuel shared her concerns, stating, "What happens if somebody breaks in and steals the dress or something spills or there's a fire or it gets stolen?".
The existence of the backup dress was kept a secret from Princess Diana to avoid worrying her. This alternate gown differed from the original design, lacking the long train and featuring slimmer sleeves. It was made of white silk, in contrast to the deep ivory silk of the primary wedding dress. While the backup dress provided reassurance, it was never entirely finished and, fortunately, never needed.
The backup dress was simpler in design, but still featured ruffles around the neck and maintained the same ivory silk taffeta fabric as the original. This secret dress was later displayed at Madame Tussauds, showcasing its unique role in ensuring a seamless wedding day for Princess Diana. The existence of the backup dress adds another layer to the story of Princess Diana's wedding, highlighting the meticulous planning and attention to detail that went into creating one of the most famous dresses in the world.
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The dress was displayed at Kensington Palace in 2021
Princess Diana's wedding dress was put on display at Kensington Palace in 2021. The iconic gown was loaned to the exhibition by her sons, Prince William and Prince Harry, who inherited it in 2014. The exhibition, titled "Royal Style in the Making", was held at the Kensington Palace Orangery and included Princess Diana's going-away dresses, as well as outfits worn by other royal family members. The exhibition focused on designing outfits for royal clients and featured rare surviving toiles and early garment versions worn by the Queen Mother.
Princess Diana's wedding dress is considered one of the most famous dresses in the world and has sparked multiple copycat dresses over the years. It was designed by David and Elizabeth Emanuel, who described it as a dress that "had to go down in history". 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. The dress was intricately embroidered with 10,000 pearls, sequins, and frilled lace, with a heart motif at its centre.
The designers of the dress went to great lengths to keep the details a secret until the wedding day, even installing a safe to keep designs and fabric swatches secure. Princess Diana also had a backup dress created by the Emanuels in case something went wrong with the original. This alternate dress was made from ivory silk taffeta without the antique lace and featured embroidery and tiny pearls sewn onto the bodice.
The exhibition at Kensington Palace provided a unique opportunity to view Princess Diana's wedding dress up close and to learn about the design process behind it. The dress has since been displayed at other locations, including the Princess Diana Museum, where visitors can view the original wedding archives, rare photographs, and personal mementos from Princess Diana and Prince Charles' historic wedding.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, Princess Diana's wedding dress was on display at Kensington Palace as part of the "Royal Style in the Making" exhibition, which ran until 2 January 2022. The exhibition also featured a rare surviving toile for a gown worn by Queen Elizabeth.
Princess Diana bequeathed her wedding dress to her sons, Princes William and Harry, who inherited it in 2014. They have loaned the dress for exhibitions, including the one at Kensington Palace.
Princess Diana's wedding dress was designed by David and Elizabeth Emanuel. It was an ivory silk taffeta and antique lace gown, with a 25-foot train and a 153-yard tulle veil. The bodice featured a piece of antique Carrick-ma-cross lace that once belonged to Queen Mary. The dress was valued at $114,800 at the time of its creation and was intricately embroidered with sequins, frilled lace, and 10,000 pearls.
Yes, for "peace of mind," the Emanuels designed a second gown for Princess Diana's wedding day. Sketches of the backup gown were revealed in 2023, and it was also made from ivory silk taffeta without the antique lace. However, the alternate dress has since disappeared. Additionally, a "secret wedding dress" was recreated by Elizabeth Emanuel and is displayed at the Princess Diana Museum.
