Deborah Chan
Royal wedding dresses have been a hot topic of discussion for decades, with the public eagerly anticipating the reveal of the bride's chosen gown. From Princess Diana's iconic 80s dress with its long train, sleeves, and veil to Meghan Markle's modern yet timeless look, royal wedding dresses have influenced bridal trends and become a part of fashion history. Royal brides have the opportunity to make a fairytale entrance, with their gowns often designed by sought-after fashion designers and sometimes featuring family heirlooms. The dresses are a source of speculation and intrigue, with the public curious about the bride's choice of designer, style, and whether the dress will pay homage to previous royal weddings or break tradition.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date | May 19, 2018 |
| Bride | Meghan Markle |
| Groom | Prince Harry |
| Dress Designer | Givenchy |
| Dress Style | White silk A-line gown with three-quarter-sleeves and an off-the-shoulder neckline |
| Veil | 16-foot silk tulle veil with hand-embroidered flowers from each of the 53 Commonwealth countries |
| Opinions | Some viewers thought the dress was drab, but Prince Harry disagreed |
| Other Notable Dresses | Princess Diana's dress, Princess Grace Kelly of Monaco's dress, Princess Eugenie's dress, Duchess of York's dress, Princess Margaret's dress |
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What You'll Learn
Princess Diana's wedding dress
The design process was shrouded in secrecy, with the Emanuels going to great lengths to keep details about the gown a secret until the wedding day. They put scraps of fabric that were not used in the dress into the garbage in case members of the press went looking for clues. The dress was also kept under wraps from Princess Diana herself, with the designers unable to fully show her the dress and train until the final fitting at Buckingham Palace.
The dress incorporated several traditional elements, including antique lace from Queen Mary as Diana's "something old," a blue bow inside the bodice as her "something blue," and an 18-carat gold horseshoe trinket studded with white diamonds as a good luck charm. The shoes were also a glamorous addition, with hand-made ivory silk slippers adorned with 542 sequins and 132 pearls.
While the dress received mostly positive reviews, with one source calling it a stunning display of style and grandiosity, there were also some mixed opinions. One bridal magazine in 2004 listed it as "too much dress, too little princess." Some Reddit users also expressed their dislike for the dress, with one user calling it "too busy and dowdy," and another criticising the fabric choice, saying it looked like "a freshly laundered bedsheet."
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Queen Victoria's influence on royal wedding dresses
Queen Victoria's wedding dress has had a lasting influence on royal wedding dresses. When Queen Victoria married Prince Albert in 1840, she wore a white dress made of Spitalfields silk and Honiton lace. This choice of colour broke from royal tradition, as royal brides typically wore silver brocade trimmed in ermine and diamond-encrusted tiaras.
Victoria's decision to wear white was influenced by several factors. Firstly, she wanted to make a statement as the leader of her country, showcasing her duty to her kingdom rather than her wealth or beauty. Secondly, she wanted to support and stimulate the English lace industry, which was facing competition from machine-made laces. White was the best colour to showcase the handmade Honiton lace on her dress. Additionally, the colour white symbolised purity and innocence, and Victoria wanted to present herself as an adoring and innocent bride.
The Queen's wedding dress garnered significant press attention, and through the rise of print media and commercialisation, the image of the white dress and lace veil became popularised as a model of romantic propriety and purity. Wealthy and fashionable brides quickly adopted the colour white for their wedding gowns, and it became a lasting tradition in Western bridal fashion.
Queen Victoria's influence extended beyond the colour of the dress. She chose to wear a wreath of orange blossoms and myrtle instead of a crown, symbolising fertility, purity, love, and domestic happiness. This combination of flowers became popular in Victorian weddings, and myrtle has been included in every British royal wedding since. Victoria's dress also featured a deep flounce of Honiton lace, and she insisted that her daughters order Honiton lace for their wedding dresses as well.
In conclusion, Queen Victoria's wedding dress had a significant and lasting impact on royal wedding dresses. Her choice of a white dress with Honiton lace influenced bridal fashion for nearly two centuries, and her use of specific symbols such as orange blossoms and myrtle became enduring traditions in royal weddings.
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Meghan Markle's choice of designer
Meghan Markle's wedding dress was a topic of much speculation before her wedding to Prince Harry in 2018. Some wondered if she would opt for an Alexander McQueen gown, like Kate Middleton, or pay homage to Harry's mother, Princess Diana, with her choice. Others speculated that she might choose an emerging designer or a more accessible designer to embrace her image as the "people's princess".
Markle's choice of designer was eventually revealed to be Clare Waight Keller of Givenchy. The dress was a modern yet timeless look, with a gleaming white silk A-line gown featuring three-quarter-length sleeves and a delicate off-the-shoulder neckline. The classic gown was paired with a 16-foot silk tulle veil, featuring hand-embroidered flowers from each of the 53 Commonwealth countries.
Markle's choice of designer was significant, as it was a departure from the traditional British designers often chosen by royal brides. Givenchy is a French luxury fashion house, and the choice of designer may have been a nod to Markle's own bi-racial heritage. The sleek and simple design of the gown also reflected Markle's personal style, which is often described as classic and minimalist.
In choosing a designer, Markle also considered the relationship she wanted to build with the designer. She wanted someone who could not only create a beautiful gown but also someone who understood her vision and personality. This may have been a factor in her choice of Waight Keller, as the two women had a prior relationship, with Markle presenting the designer with an award in 2018.
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Kate Middleton's custom Alexander McQueen
Royal wedding dresses have always been a hot topic of discussion, with Kate Middleton's custom Alexander McQueen gown being no exception. When she married Prince William on 29 April 2011 at Westminster Abbey, all eyes were on her. The dress was designed by Sarah Burton, who worked for Alexander McQueen's fashion house. The ivory satin bodice was padded at the hips and narrowed at the waist, inspired by the Victorian tradition of corsetry—a signature Alexander McQueen element. The bodice featured floral motifs cut from machine-made lace, which were then appliqued onto silk netting. The back of the dress had 58 buttons made of gazar and organza, fastened with Rouleau loops. The skirt, underskirt trim, and bridal train also showcased the exquisite lacework. The main body of the dress was crafted from ivory and white satin gazar, with specially sourced UK fabrics. The full-length skirt was designed to resemble an opening flower, with soft pleats that unfolded towards the bottom.
The choice of Alexander McQueen for her wedding dress sparked Kate Middleton's long-standing relationship with the British fashion house. Alexander McQueen has become her go-to for clothing and accessories, from high-profile events to overseas tours and engagements. She frequently collaborates with the label, showcasing their craftsmanship and timeless designs. This enduring partnership has continued beyond her wedding day, with McQueen designing many of her gowns for official events and customising ready-to-wear pieces and accessories.
Kate Middleton's wedding dress is considered one of the most iconic in royal history, with its elegant and intricate design. The dress paid homage to the Victorian era while also incorporating modern elements, such as the machine-made lace. The use of UK fabrics and the floral motifs also added a touch of patriotism and romance to the overall design. The dress was met with widespread admiration, with many praising its timeless elegance and attention to detail.
The impact of Kate Middleton's choice of designer extended beyond the fashion world, with some speculating that it contributed to a shift in public perception of the McQueen brand. Prior to the royal wedding, Alexander McQueen was primarily known for its edgy and avant-garde aesthetic. However, the house's association with such a high-profile event and the future queen may have helped to redefine the brand in the eyes of the public, showcasing its ability to create timeless and elegant designs alongside its more unconventional pieces.
In addition to her wedding dress, Kate Middleton has continued to choose Alexander McQueen for other significant occasions, further solidifying her association with the brand. She has been seen wearing McQueen designs at various events, including the Irish Guards' St. Patrick's Day Parade, where she wore a forest green McQueen coat that was hailed as redefining ceremonial chic. From tailored suits to golden ballgowns, Middleton has showcased the versatility of McQueen's designs and reinforced her role as a style icon.
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Princess Eugenie's fairytale gown
Royal wedding dresses have been a hot topic of discussion for decades. Princess Eugenie's wedding dress was no exception. Princess Eugenie, the Duke of York's youngest daughter, married Jack Brooksbank on 12 October 2018 at St George's Chapel. The princess chose to wear a Peter Pilotto gown, designed by Peter Pilotto and Christopher De Vos, co-founders of the Peter Pilotto label. The dress was a modern update on the demure ball gown style, featuring a dramatic train and a unique neckline and shoulder detail.
Princess Eugenie first met the designers in 2007 and has worn the brand on numerous occasions since. She worked closely with them to incorporate symbols that were important to her into the dress's design: a thistle for Scotland, a shamrock for Ireland, a York rose for England, and ivy to represent the couple's home. These symbols were incorporated into the jacquard that then became part of the dress.
Unlike other royal brides, Princess Eugenie chose not to wear a veil. However, she did wear a tiara, borrowing the Greville Emerald Tiara from her grandmother, Queen Elizabeth II. The tiara was originally created in 1921 and features emeralds, which Princess Eugenie is often seen wearing as a tribute to her husband.
Princess Eugenie's wedding dress was widely admired, with many describing it as a fairytale gown. Ellis Bridals, a bridal brand, described the dress as "charmingly unique" and praised Princess Eugenie for channeling "elegance and grace". They also noted the grown-up air of glamour and pure fairytale style that the dramatic train added to the look.
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Frequently asked questions
Princess Diana's wedding dress was designed by David Emanuel and is often regarded as one of a kind. It featured an insanely long train, sleeves, and a veil. Some people believe that the dress was too much, while others thought it was perfect for a televised royal wedding in the 80s.
Meghan Markle's wedding dress was designed by Givenchy and was widely praised by the fashion press. It was a modern yet timeless look, with a gleaming white silk A-line gown and a delicate off-the-shoulder neckline. However, some viewers thought it was a bit drab.
Kate Middleton's wedding dress was designed by Sarah Burton from Alexander McQueen's House. It featured an ivory satin bodice with floral motifs and a long, full skirt. The dress is considered stunning and iconic, with Middleton wearing Princess Diana's engagement ring.
