Rhiannon Hendricks
There are many traditions and guidelines that royal brides must follow in the lead-up to their wedding and on the day itself. Royal brides are expected to maintain a certain level of modesty in their wedding dresses, with long sleeves, no low necklines, and no shoulders on display. The dress is also expected to be either white or cream and designed by a British designer. In addition, the bride's bouquet must contain myrtle, and the wedding bands are typically made from Welsh gold. These are just a few of the many guidelines that shape the royal wedding dress and the day itself.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Approval | The Queen must approve the dress before the wedding. |
| Designer | The dress should be designed by a British designer. |
| Colour | The dress should be white or cream. |
| Sleeves | The dress should have long sleeves. |
| Neckline | The dress should not show the bride's shoulders or cleavage. |
| Fabric | The dress should be made of lace or a fabric that incorporates lots of lace. |
| Tiara | The bride wears a tiara for the first time on her wedding day. |
| Bouquet | The bouquet must contain myrtle. |
| Hosiery | The bride must wear tights or pantyhose. |
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What You'll Learn
The dress must be modest, with no bare shoulders or cleavage
Royal weddings are steeped in tradition and protocol, with the wedding dress being a key focus. The bride's choice of gown is subject to certain rules and guidelines, which are often influenced by the Queen. One of the most important requirements is modesty. Royal brides are expected to dress modestly, avoiding any revealing silhouettes. This means no bare shoulders or cleavage.
The tradition of modesty in royal wedding dresses can be traced back to the fact that royal weddings are held in churches. As such, royal brides usually opt for dresses with sleeves, providing more coverage. Queen Elizabeth II, Princess Diana, and Kate Middleton all wore dresses with sleeves, and Meghan Markle followed suit. This tradition also extends to the colour of the dress, with royal brides expected to wear either white or cream.
While the bride has a say in the design of her gown and works closely with a designer, the Queen has the final approval. This tradition was followed by both Kate Middleton and Meghan Markle, who had their dresses approved by the Queen before their big day. The Queen's approval is a significant moment as it ensures the dress adheres to the expected standards of modesty and royalty.
The royal dress code for women also includes the expectation to wear pantyhose or tights when choosing to wear dresses or skirts. This rule, upheld by Queen Elizabeth II, is considered a sign of modesty and propriety. Additionally, royal brides traditionally carry a bouquet that includes a sprig of myrtle, a symbol of marriage and love, following a tradition started by Queen Victoria.
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The bride must wear a tiara, usually a family heirloom
Royal weddings are steeped in tradition, with many rules and guidelines for the bride-to-be to follow. One of the most iconic symbols of a royal wedding is the bride's tiara, which is usually a family heirloom.
The wedding day is typically the first time a new royal wears a tiara. It is a privilege reserved for married women, and they usually borrow a sparkling tiara from their family or in-laws, or they may have a new one made. Royal brides are invited to meet with the Queen and select a tiara from her collection, which is kept in a 150-foot-long basement vault.
Princess Diana wore the Spencer tiara, which was owned by her family, while Kate Middleton borrowed the Cartier Halo tiara from the Queen. Meghan Markle also wore a tiara, although it was not confirmed beforehand if she would follow this tradition.
Tiaras are only worn during white-tie events, and only married women and members of the royal family are allowed to wear them. It is a symbol of being a married woman, and therefore, it is usually the first time a new royal will wear one.
The tradition of wearing a tiara on one's wedding day is a special and significant part of royal weddings, adding to the grandeur and symbolism of the occasion.
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The bouquet must contain myrtle, symbolising love and marriage
Royal weddings are steeped in tradition and protocol, with the bride's attire and accessories being no exception. One such tradition is that the bridal bouquet must contain myrtle, symbolising love and marriage.
This tradition was started by Queen Victoria, who was gifted a myrtle plant by Prince Albert's grandmother when the couple married in 1840. Since then, most royal brides have carried a sprig of myrtle in their bouquet, including Queen Elizabeth, Princess Diana, and Kate Middleton.
The myrtle plant holds a deeper significance for the royal family beyond its association with love and marriage. As a direct link to Queen Victoria, it serves as a symbolic tribute to the enduring legacy of her reign and the continuity of the monarchy.
While the specific flowers and arrangements may vary, the inclusion of myrtle remains a consistent element in royal wedding bouquets. It is a subtle yet meaningful way to honour the family's history and uphold the time-honoured customs that are an integral part of royal weddings.
In addition to the myrtle tradition, royal brides often adhere to other guidelines for their wedding attire. Modesty is a key consideration, with long sleeves and higher necklines being favoured over more revealing silhouettes. The colour of the dress is typically white or cream, a tradition also started by Queen Victoria.
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The dress colour should be white or cream, started by Queen Victoria
Royal wedding dresses are steeped in tradition, with certain rules and guidelines that royal brides are expected to follow. One of the most well-known traditions is that the bride's wedding dress colour should be white or cream, a custom that was started by Queen Victoria.
Queen Victoria's wedding to Prince Albert in 1840 was a pivotal moment in the history of royal wedding dresses. Breaking with the colourful fashions of the time, Queen Victoria chose to wear a white wedding dress, which was considered an unusual choice. However, her decision to wear white sparked a new trend, and soon it became the norm for brides to wear white wedding gowns. The Victoria & Albert Museum highlights the impact of Queen Victoria's choice, noting that it influenced bridal fashion for generations to come.
The tradition of wearing white or cream has been largely upheld by subsequent royal brides. For example, when the Duchess of Cambridge, formerly known as Kate Middleton, married Prince William in 2011, her gown was designed by Sarah Burton for Alexander McQueen and featured intricate lace sleeves. Similarly, Meghan Markle's wedding dress, designed by British stylist and designer Clare Waight Keller, was a simple and elegant choice for her wedding to Prince Harry in 2018.
While there is no official rule mandating the colour of royal wedding dresses, the tradition of wearing white or cream has become deeply entrenched in royal wedding culture. This tradition not only pays homage to Queen Victoria's influential fashion choice but also symbolises the purity and elegance associated with bridal gowns. It is a testament to the enduring power of royal traditions and their ability to shape cultural norms.
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The dress should be designed by a British designer
Royal weddings are steeped in tradition, and the bride's wedding dress is no exception. One of the guidelines for the royal wedding dress is that it should be designed by a British designer. This is out of respect for the British monarchy.
For example, Princess Diana's wedding dress was designed by the British designer duo Elizabeth and David Emanuel, while Queen Elizabeth's was created by British designer Norman Hartnell. Similarly, Kate Middleton's iconic wedding dress was designed by English designer Sarah Burton for Alexander McQueen. Even Meghan Markle, who is American and favours US and Canadian fashion brands, wore a dress designed by British stylist and designer Clare Waight Keller.
The tradition of wearing a British designer is not limited to the wedding dress. For instance, tiaras are traditionally only worn by royal brides on their wedding day or by married women. The bride's bouquet is also expected to contain myrtle, a tradition started by Queen Victoria, who was gifted a myrtle plant by Prince Albert's grandmother.
The royal wedding dress also typically features long sleeves and a modest neckline, providing more coverage than a revealing silhouette. This is in keeping with the expectation that royal brides maintain a certain level of modesty in their wedding gowns.
While the bride chooses her wedding gown and works with a designer on the style, the Queen has the final say. She gets a private sneak peek at the dress before approving it, as was the case with Kate Middleton's and Meghan Markle's dresses.
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Frequently asked questions
The royal wedding dress must adhere to several long-held traditions and guidelines. Firstly, royal wedding dresses traditionally feature long sleeves and a modest neckline, avoiding exposure of the shoulders or cleavage. The colour is typically white or cream, a tradition started by Queen Victoria. The dress is usually designed by a British designer, and the reigning monarch must approve it before the wedding. Additionally, royal brides often wear diamond tiaras and carry bouquets that include a sprig of myrtle, symbolising marriage and love.
While it is not a strict rule, it is expected out of respect for the British monarchy that royal brides wear a British designer. For example, Meghan Markle, an American who typically favours US and Canadian fashion brands, wore a dress designed by British designer Clare Waight Keller.
Royal brides traditionally wear a diamond tiara, often borrowed from their family, their in-laws, or a new one made for the occasion. Additionally, the wedding day is typically the first time a new royal wears a tiara. The royal wedding bands are usually made from 24-carat Welsh gold, which has a rich colour due to its high purity. Lastly, royal brides are expected to wear glossy nylon tights or pantyhose with their dresses, as per Queen Elizabeth II's rules.
