Junior Rasmussen
Princess Margaret's wedding dress is on display at Kensington Palace as part of an exhibit on royal wedding dresses. The silk organza gown was designed by Norman Hartnell, the same designer who made the Queen's wedding dress. The dress featured long sleeves, a V-neckline, a fitted waist, and a voluminous skirt made with 30 metres of fabric. Princess Margaret wore the dress for her wedding to Antony Armstrong-Jones (later Lord Snowdon) at Westminster Abbey on 6 May 1960. The wedding was the first royal wedding to be broadcast on television, with an estimated 300 million viewers tuning in worldwide.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date of Wedding | 6 May 1960 |
| Wedding Dress Designer | Norman Hartnell |
| Fabric | Silk Organza |
| Skirt Fabric Required | 30 metres |
| Tiara | Poltimore Tiara |
| Veil | Cathedral-length |
| Bouquet | Orchids and Lily-of-the-valley |
| Wedding Cake | N/A |
| Wedding Breakfast | Fillet of beef, green beans, and "soufflée surprise Montmorency" |
| Wedding Venue | Westminster Abbey |
| Husband | Antony Armstrong-Jones |
| Husband's Title | Lord Snowdon |
| Husband's Profession | Photographer |
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What You'll Learn
The dress designer, Norman Hartnell
Princess Margaret's wedding dress was designed by Sir Norman Bishop Hartnell KCVO, a leading British fashion designer best known for his work for the ladies of the royal family. Hartnell was born in Streatham, southwest London, in 1901. His parents were publicans and owned a pub called the Crown & Sceptre, which perhaps foreshadowed his future royal clients.
Hartnell gained the Royal Warrant as Dressmaker to Queen Elizabeth (later the Queen Mother) in 1940 and to Queen Elizabeth II in 1957. He designed Queen Elizabeth's coronation dress, which was viewed by millions during the first-ever televised coronation in 1953. Hartnell also designed Princess Elizabeth's wedding dress in 1947.
Hartnell's designs were known for their drama, featuring embellishments such as embroidery, sequins, beads, rhinestones, and stiffened, cage-like underskirts called crinolines. He was particularly skilled at creating theatrical costumes, having designed for university amateur drama productions and West End plays. Hartnell's interest in theatre influenced the opulence of his wedding dresses, which were in high demand with British brides.
In the mid-1950s, Hartnell reached the peak of his fame, employing around 500 people. He was adept at publicity, whether it was creating a full evening dress of pound notes for a newspaper stunt or touring fashion shows at home and abroad. Hartnell's designs were worn by leading ladies of stage and screen, including Gertrude Lawrence, Merle Oberon, and Evelyn Laye.
Hartnell died in 1979, two years after being knighted for his services to fashion, the first person to receive this honour. His work continues to inspire, with Princess Margaret's wedding dress on display at Kensington Palace as a timeless example of simplicity and elegance.
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The fabric used, silk organza
Princess Margaret's wedding dress was made from silk organza, a sheer and lightweight fabric with a distinctive crisp texture. It is characterised by small holes that run throughout the fabric, giving it a transparent quality. This fabric is commonly used for ballgowns and bridal veils, as well as home decor, due to its versatility and ability to add structure.
Silk organza is a strong and durable fabric, despite its delicate appearance. It can hold intricate embellishments and details, making it a popular choice for bridal wear. The fabric's stiffness and structure lend themselves well to formal wear, allowing designers to create voluminous and striking silhouettes.
The choice of silk organza for Princess Margaret's wedding dress was in keeping with her request for an "unfussy" and modern design. The fabric's simplicity and elegance stood out compared to the more embellished gowns typically worn by royal brides. The dress featured long sleeves, a fitted bodice and waist, and a full-length, voluminous skirt. It required over 30 metres of fabric to create the skirt's dramatic effect.
The silk organza fabric, with its lustrous sheen and soft texture, contributed to the overall timeless and trendsetting design of Princess Margaret's wedding dress. The dress, designed by Norman Hartnell, has since inspired many royal brides, including Meghan Markle and Kate Middleton.
Today, Princess Margaret's silk organza wedding dress is on display at Kensington Palace as part of an exhibit on royal wedding dresses, continuing to captivate and inspire with its classic style and graceful silhouette.
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The tiara, Poltimore Tiara
The Poltimore Tiara, worn by Princess Margaret on her wedding day, has a rich history. It was originally crafted in 1870 by Garrard of London for Florence, Lady Poltimore, the wife of the second Baron Poltimore and Treasurer to Queen Victoria's household. Lady Poltimore wore the tiara to the coronation of King George V in 1911.
The tiara was put up for auction in January 1959, and purchased by Princess Margaret herself for £5,500. This was an unconventional choice for a princess at the time, as she could have borrowed a tiara from the Royal Collection. However, the then 29-year-old princess wanted something she could call her own. The tiara was set with cushion-shaped and old-cut diamond clusters, alternating with diamond-set scroll motifs, evoking the floral motifs favoured during the Victorian era.
Princess Margaret wore the tiara faithfully throughout her life, both in its original form and converted into a diamond necklace and 11 separate brooches. It was most famously photographed atop her head in a black-and-white photograph taken by her husband, Lord Snowdon, to mark her 29th birthday. The image, which depicts the princess smiling in a bathtub, captured her rebellious spirit and gave a rare glimpse into royal life.
In 2006, four years after Princess Margaret's death, the tiara was auctioned off as part of her private collection by Christie's London. It sold for £926,400, almost five times its high estimate, to an anonymous buyer. The current whereabouts of the tiara are unknown.
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The wedding venue, Westminster Abbey
Princess Margaret's wedding venue, Westminster Abbey, has been a popular choice for British royalty, hosting 16 royal weddings since 1100. The first royal wedding held at the Abbey was between Henry I and Princess Matilda of Scotland. Over the last century, Westminster Abbey has hosted the weddings of Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, and the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge (William and Kate).
Westminster Abbey has also been the site of many coronations and funerals for prominent royals and historical figures, including the funeral of the late Queen, Charles Darwin, and Princess Diana. The Abbey is home to thousands of tombs and monuments, honouring monarchs, poets, politicians, musicians, scientists, and other notable figures. It also has a resident ghost, known as 'The Grey Friar', who has been spotted walking through the cloisters and halls wearing a long grey robe.
The wedding of Princess Margaret and Antony Armstrong-Jones on 6 May 1960 was a momentous event that set a precedent for future royal weddings. It was the first royal wedding to be broadcast on television, with an estimated 300 million viewers worldwide. The Princess made the traditional journey from Clarence House to Westminster Abbey in the Glass Coach, accompanied by her brother-in-law, Prince Philip, who gave her away following the death of her father, King George VI.
Westminster Abbey has been a significant venue for royal weddings, with its rich history and regal atmosphere. While it is not generally open to the public for weddings, it continues to inspire and capture the imagination of people worldwide.
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The groom, Antony Armstrong-Jones
Princess Margaret's wedding dress is on display at Kensington Palace as part of an exhibit on royal wedding dresses. The silk organza gown was designed by Norman Hartwell, who also created the Queen's wedding dress. The dress featured long sleeves and a V-neckline, and included nearly 100 feet of fabric in the skirt.
Antony Armstrong-Jones, a fashion photographer, was Princess Margaret's husband-to-be. Their relationship was kept a well-guarded secret until their engagement was announced in February 1960. Armstrong-Jones proposed with a ruby and diamond ring in the shape of a rosebud, a nod to Princess Margaret's middle name, Rose.
Armstrong-Jones was a commoner, which made him a unique addition to the royal family tree. As a civilian, he wore morning dress for the wedding ceremony.
Following the wedding, Armstrong-Jones was bestowed with the title of Lord Snowdon. The couple moved into Kensington Palace a year after their wedding and welcomed their first child, David, in 1961. Their daughter, Lady Sarah Frances Elizabeth Armstrong-Jones, was born in 1964.
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Frequently asked questions
Princess Margaret's wedding dress is on display at Kensington Palace as part of an exhibit on royal wedding dresses.
The dress was designed by Norman Hartnell, the same designer who made the Queen's wedding dress.
The dress was made from silk organza.
The dress featured long sleeves, a V-neckline, a fitted bodice and waist, and a voluminous skirt made with 30 metres of fabric and a small train.
