Junior Rasmussen
Royal weddings are a source of fascination for many, and the dresses are often the most anticipated aspect. Royal wedding dresses are usually bespoke, designed by some of the most sought-after fashion designers in the world, and they span a wide range of styles, colours, and countries. From Princess Diana's iconic ivory taffeta gown with its 25-foot train to Queen Rania of Jordan's gold-detailed creation, these dresses are memorable and influential, often setting trends for bridal fashion. They are cultural touchpoints that continue to inspire and captivate people around the world, long after the ceremony ends.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Colour | White, ivory, blue, gold, periwinkle, silver |
| Fabric | Silk, taffeta, lace, satin, tulle, chiffon, wool |
| Details | Pearls, diamonds, embroidery, feathers, floral motifs, trains, veils, hats, bows, sashes, collars, sleeves |
| Designers | Norman Hartnell, Valentino, David and Elizabeth Emanuel, Christian Dior, Uffe Frank, Ida Sjöstedt, Emilia Wickstead, Mainbocher, Helen Rose, Giorgio Armani, Bruce Oldfield, Jasper Conran, Pär Engsheden, Luisa Beccaria, Alexander McQueen, Givenchy's Clare Waight Keller |
| Royal Brides | Princess Grace Kelly of Monaco, Princess Margaret, Princess Charlene of Monaco, Queen Elizabeth, Princess Diana, Queen Rania of Jordan, Lady Sarah Armstrong Jones, Princess Victoria of Sweden, Queen Soraya of Iran, Duchess of Cornwall, Princess Ariana Makonnen of Ethiopia, Princess Sofia of Sweden, Princess Ayako of Takamado, Princess Eugenie, Meghan Markle, Duchess of Sussex, Queen Mathilde, Infanta Cristina of Spain, Princess Marie-Chantal of Greece, Princess Anne, Princess Beatrice, Princess Lalla Salma of Morocco, Princess Maxima of the Netherlands, Princess Martha Louise of Norway, Queen Letizia of Spain, Lady Charlotte Wellesley, Rita Hayworth, Princess Caroline of Monaco, Kate Middleton, Masenate Mohato Seeiso of Lesotho, Sarah Salleh of Brunei |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
Royal wedding dresses in the UK
In recent years, there has been a shift towards more progressive wedding styling, with royal brides incorporating symbolism and personal touches into their dresses. Meghan Markle's veil, for instance, was embroidered with the flowers of the Commonwealth, while Princess Eugenie chose a dress that highlighted her scoliosis scars. Princess Eugenie's dress was designed by Peter Pilotto and Christopher de Vos and was made from a silk, cotton, and viscose jacquard weave that featured symbolic flora.
Some royal brides in the UK have also chosen to wear vintage gowns or dresses previously worn by other members of the royal family. Princess Beatrice, for example, wore a vintage Norman Hartnell gown that belonged to her grandmother, Queen Elizabeth II, for her wedding to Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi. The dress was made from Peau de Soie taffeta and ivory Duchess satin. Similarly, Lady Sarah Chatto, daughter of Princess Margaret, wore a square-necked gown with a ruched bodice by Jasper Conran, and a newly designed tiara that incorporated a selection of her mother's brooches.
Wedding Guest Attire: What Are the Rules?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
$44.99 $48.99
$40.49 $44.99
Royal wedding dresses in Europe
Queen Ingrid of Denmark wore a silk dress with lace and a 6-metre train, while Queen Juliana of the Netherlands opted for an ivory silk straight-cut dress. Queen Mathilde of Belgium wore a long-sleeved coat dress with buttons down the front, while Princess Marie-Chantal of Greece wore a Valentino dress with a lace bodice and an ivory silk skirt.
Princess Diana's wedding dress is considered one of the most revered gowns of all time. The ivory silk taffeta dress featured a wide full skirt, bouffant sleeves, and a long wide train that extended almost 8 metres. The dress was adorned with hand embroidery, sequins, and 10,000 pearls.
In the 21st century, royal wedding dresses have continued to showcase a variety of styles. Meghan Markle, Duchess of Sussex, wore the Queen Mary Diamond Bandeau tiara, crafted in 1931, with a centre brooch dating back to 1893. Princess Eugenie wore the Greville Emerald Kokoshnik Tiara with diamonds and emeralds instead of a veil. Princess Sofia of Sweden married in 2015, while Princess Nathalie of Denmark wore ivory satin and silk organza, decorated with a bodice made of appliques, with matching embellishments down the front.
How to Dress Up a Mini for a Wedding
You may want to see also
Explore related products
$61.99
Royal wedding dresses in the Middle East
Queen Noor of Jordan's wedding dress is an excellent example of blending tradition and modernity. For her wedding to King Hussein in 1978, she commissioned Dior to create a dress inspired by her favourite bohemian Yves Saint Laurent dress. The resulting gown seamlessly combined a Western silhouette with Islamic traditions, showcasing the bride's unique style.
In recent years, Middle Eastern bridal fashion has been influenced by renowned designers from the region. Elie Saab, the Lebanese designer, crafted a fairytale gown for Christina Mourad, who married Elie Saab Jr. in 2019. The dress featured a 4.5-metre train adorned with 500,000 embroidered sequins, truly fit for a modern-day princess.
Another notable Lebanese designer, Zuhair Murad, is known for his exquisite and luxurious bridal styles. His creations often feature ethereal silhouettes, exquisite lacework, and luxurious embellishments, making his designs a favourite among brides who want to feel like royalty.
Based in Dubai, Rami Al Ali is another celebrated designer who creates opulent and luxurious bridal gowns. His designs are characterised by intricate details, rich fabrics, and a fusion of contemporary and traditional styles, ensuring that every bride feels regal on their special day.
The Middle East has a long history of exquisite bridal couture, with designers blending tradition and innovation to capture the essence of timeless romance. These dresses are not just memorable but also cultural touchpoints that inspire fashion trends for decades.
Wedding Dress Cleaning: Cost and Care in the UK
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Royal wedding dresses in Asia
Japan
In 1959, Michiko Shōda became the first commoner to marry into the Japanese imperial family when she wed Crown Prince Akihito. She wore a gown with a large bow at the waist as its focal point, accompanied by a yellow sash of the Order of the Precious Crown and several opulent jewels, including a large Diamond Scroll Tiara. The traditional Japanese Shinto wedding ceremony gown is called a shiromuku, which is all white to symbolise purity, cleanliness, innocence, and virginity. It is often accessorised with kanzashi (intricate hairpins) and sensu printed fans.
Thailand
The modern fashionable Thai dress is called ชุดไทยประยุกต์ (Chut Thai Pra Yook). The traditional Thai wedding dress is a wrap-around style, often one-shouldered, including a silk shawl called a สไบ (sabai). Pastels and creamy colours are more common than white for Thai wedding dresses. Queen Sirikit, considered the best-dressed woman in the world by Thai citizens during the 1960s and 1970s, was a major influence on fashion in the country.
Afghanistan
Afghanistan has a rich history and vibrant culture, which is reflected in its wedding dresses. The traditional dress of the Kuchi, a nomadic Afghan tribe, is bright and colourful, showcasing intricate embroidery and geometric patterns. It often includes thin thread embroidery (a style known as khamak) and sometimes has metal or coins sewn into the fabric. Green is a common colour for Afghan wedding dresses due to its association with paradise in Islamic tradition.
Vietnam
The Vietnamese national costume, the áo dài, is a long silk tunic worn over pants. This makes Vietnam one of the few countries where the bride wears trousers. The formal áo dài is modelled after the Nguyễn Dynasty (1802-1945) court ladies.
India
Indian royal wedding dresses often feature the multicoloured lehenga, a style of dress consisting of a long skirt paired with a cropped top and a dupatta (a long scarf).
China
Chinese royal wedding dresses often feature the qipao (also known as cheongsam in Cantonese-speaking regions), a one- or two-piece figure-hugging garment made from fine silk. The amount of gold thread in the design showcases the wealth of the bride's family, with the most opulent gowns often weighing several kilos. Red is a common colour for Chinese wedding dresses, as it is believed to bring prosperity and good fortune.
Guide to Wedding Guest Attire for Men
You may want to see also
Explore related products
$28.79 $30.59
Royal wedding dresses in Africa
African weddings are known for their vibrant celebrations, rich cultural traditions, and exquisite attire. The wedding dresses are a beautiful blend of tradition, modernity, and couture, with a wide range of styles, from flowing Ankara dresses to impeccably tailored Agbada suits. Vibrancy is key, with bold colours like royal blue, fiery red, and deep purple adorned with mesmerizing prints or motifs that carry cultural significance. Accessories such as gele headwraps, beaded necklaces, and intricately designed shoes complement and accentuate the ensemble.
Traditional African wedding dresses hold a special place in preserving the cultural heritage of the continent. Kente cloth, for example, is one of the most recognizable symbols of African heritage, deeply rooted in the traditions of Ghana, West Africa. Originally reserved for royalty, Kente cloth is handwoven with intricate patterns and vibrant colours, and it has evolved from a fabric reserved for royalty to a globally celebrated cultural icon.
While I cannot find specific examples of royal wedding dresses in Africa, it is clear that African weddings and their dresses are a beautiful blend of tradition and modernity, with a wide range of styles, colours, and fabrics to choose from.
Guide to Wearing Midi Dresses at Formal Weddings
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
Some of the most iconic royal wedding dresses include:
- Princess Diana's silk-and-taffeta gown, designed by David and Elizabeth Emanuel, which featured a 25-foot train and 10,000 pearls.
- Queen Rania of Jordan's gold and white ballgown, designed by Bruce Oldfield, with a voluminous skirt and a 25-foot train.
- Queen Letizia of Spain's $10.7 million gown, which featured real gold thread embroidery woven into the silk material.
- Queen Elizabeth's (then Princess Elizabeth) satin Duchesse long-sleeve wedding gown, designed by Norman Hartnell, with floral embroidery and 10,000 pearls and crystals.
Some unique royal wedding dresses include:
- Wallis Simpson's "Wallis blue" Mainbocher wedding gown. The custom pale blue colour and straight silhouette stood out from traditional royal wedding dresses.
- Rita Hayworth's periwinkle gown, which she wore to marry Prince Aly Khan in 1949. The laid-back aesthetic was a departure from the typical royal wedding dress style.
- Queen Sonja of Norway's dress, which featured an A-line cut and high neckline with pearl embellishments. Instead of a tiara, she placed artificial flowers in her hair.
Some modern royal wedding dresses include:
- Princess Victoria of Sweden's ivory duchesse silk gown, designed by Pär Engsheden, with an off-the-shoulder neckline and a detachable train.
- Meghan Markle's minimalist wedding dress, designed by Givenchy's Clare Waight Keller, with an open bateau neckline and a flowing train.
- Lady Charlotte Wellesley's off-white textured wool dress, designed by Emilia Wickstead, with a unique fold-over, off-the-shoulder neckline.
While many royal wedding dresses are white or ivory, some royals have opted for colourful dresses, including:
- Sarah Salleh, who married the crown prince of Brunei in a floral Malay outfit in blue, red, and gold, paired with a bejewelled headscarf and diamond shoes.
- Queen Soraya Esfandiary-Bakhtiary of Iran's Christian Dior gown, which featured 6,000 diamonds, 37 yards of silver lamé, and 20,000 feathers.
- Masenate Mohato Seeiso's sparkly long-sleeve ball gown, covered in beaded embellishments, when she married King Letsie III of Lesotho.
