Rhiannon Hendricks
Princess Diana's wedding dress is one of the most iconic bridal looks of all time. The silk taffeta dress, designed by Elizabeth and David Emanuel, featured a ruffled collar, puffed sleeves, a voluminous skirt, and a dramatic 25-foot train. The dress was so influential that it inspired hundreds of copycat dresses and continues to capture the imagination of brides today. If you want to see Princess Diana's dress in person, you can visit the Princess Diana Museum, which displays a recreated version of the dress, as well as other artifacts and personal mementos from her wedding day. The original dress was also on display at the Royal Style in the Making exhibition at Kensington Palace until January 2022.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Designer | David and Elizabeth Emanuel |
| Fabric | Silk, taffeta, tulle |
| Color | Ivory |
| Details | Mother-of-pearl sequins, 10,000 pearls, lace-trimmed puff sleeves, ruffled neckline, ball gown silhouette, 25-foot train |
| Accessories | Veil, Spencer Tiara, sapphire engagement ring, diamond earrings |
| Display | The Princess Diana Museum, Kensington Palace |
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What You'll Learn
The Princess Diana Museum
Princess Diana's wedding dress is one of the most iconic bridal gowns of all time. The dress was designed by the former husband-and-wife duo David and Elizabeth Emanuel and is made of silk and taffeta. The dress was hand-embroidered with mother-of-pearl sequins and an estimated 10,000 pearls. It also featured lace-trimmed puff sleeves, a ruffled neckline, a ball gown silhouette, and a 25-foot train.
In addition to the wedding dress, the museum showcases a captivating array of artifacts, rare photographs, and personal mementos from Princess Diana and Prince Charles' historic wedding. Visitors can explore the “Wedding of the Century” collection, which includes dazzling displays and never-before-seen items from the couple's special day. The museum provides a comprehensive insight into the fashion, style, and significance of Princess Diana's wedding, making it a must-visit destination for those interested in royal history and fashion.
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Kensington Palace
Princess Diana's wedding dress is considered one of the most iconic bridal gowns of all time. The silk taffeta dress, which was hand-embroidered with mother-of-pearl sequins and an estimated 10,000 pearls, was designed by the former husband-and-wife duo David and Elizabeth Emanuel. The gown featured a 25-foot train, lace-trimmed puff sleeves, a ruffled neckline, and a ball gown silhouette.
The dress was on display at Kensington Palace as part of the "Royal Style in the Making" exhibition, which closed on 2 January 2022. The exhibition also showcased the provenance of the historic lace used in the dress, which once belonged to King Charles III's great-grandmother, Queen Mary.
The palace is open to the public and offers a variety of exhibits and attractions. Visitors can explore the State Apartments, which feature grand rooms decorated with luxurious furnishings and artwork. The palace also houses a collection of royal artefacts, including paintings, furniture, and historic dresses such as Princess Diana's wedding gown. In addition to the indoor exhibits, visitors can also explore the palace's beautiful gardens, which feature intricate flower designs and picturesque pathways.
The palace has been the setting for numerous royal events and celebrations over the years. It has hosted royal weddings, christenings, and other special occasions. Visitors can learn about the history of the palace and the royal family through guided tours and interactive exhibits. The palace also offers special events and exhibitions throughout the year, showcasing different aspects of royal life and culture.
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The design process
Princess Diana's wedding dress is arguably the most iconic gown ever worn by a royal bride. The ivory taffeta gown, with its elaborate embroidery, 10,000 pearls, and 25-foot-long train, sparked copycats around the world and cemented the over-the-top, frilly aesthetic for which 1980s bridalwear became known.
The dress was designed by the former husband-and-wife duo David and Elizabeth Emanuel. The Emanuels had already made several evening gowns for Diana before her wedding, and their relationship with the princess-to-be was described as easygoing and fun. Elizabeth told People:
> "We never had any special instructions about how to make the wedding dress. That added a bit to the fun of it all, made it a bit of an adventure."
The Emanuels went to great lengths to keep details of the dress a secret until the big day, even installing a safe to keep designs and fabric swatches under lock and key. The media was all over their design studio following the announcement that they would be in charge of creating the dress.
The dress was hand-embroidered with mother-of-pearl sequins and an estimated 10,000 pearls. It also featured lace-trimmed puff sleeves, a ruffled neckline, and a ball gown silhouette. The Emanuels also designed a 153-yard veil, which, like the gown, was adorned with mother-of-pearl sequins to create a "fairy dust effect".
Diana lost a considerable amount of weight before her wedding, which meant that alterations had to be made to the dress on the morning of the ceremony. The princess was sewn into her gown to ensure the perfect fit.
The dress also included a "something old": a square of antique Carrickmacross lace that once belonged to Queen Mary. The provenance of the historic lace can be traced to a letter dated 8 July 1981 from Margaret Bartlett BEM, then Head of Work Room at the Royal School of Needlework, to the Emanuels.
The dress was displayed in the exhibition Royal Style in the Making at Kensington Palace, which closed on 2 January 2022.
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The dress's accessories
The late Princess Diana's iconic wedding dress is a piece of fashion history, and her entire wedding ensemble, including accessories, is a carefully curated part of British royal heritage. The accessories that complemented her famous wedding dress are on display alongside it and are an integral part of the exhibition. These accessories include her shoes, jewellery, and, of course, the famous veil.
The silk shoes were designed by Clive Shilton, a renowned British designer, and were custom-made for the Princess. They are made of ivory silk and feature a low heel and a bow at the front. The shoes are on display, carefully preserved, and offer a glimpse into the attention to detail that went into every aspect of the royal wedding outfit.
The jewellery chosen for the wedding was carefully selected and included family heirlooms. The most famous piece is the Spencer Tiara, an intricate design featuring a central spike of diamonds and a floral pattern. This tiara is a family heirloom and has been passed down through generations of the Spencer family. It is a stunning piece, and its use by Diana continued the tradition of royal brides wearing tiaras on their wedding day.
In addition to the tiara, Princess Diana wore a pair of diamond earrings and a delicate necklace. The earrings were a gift from her parents and featured an oval stud with a drop pearl. The necklace was a more modern piece, designed by Nigel Milne, and featured a simple, elegant diamond solitaire on a gold chain.
The veil is perhaps one of the most famous accessories, as it was the longest in royal wedding history at the time, measuring an impressive 153 yards. The veil was made of ivory tulle and featured intricate embroidery and a delicate border. It was carefully designed to complement the dress and showcase the detail and craftsmanship of the entire ensemble.
These accessories, carefully selected and designed, added to the overall impact of Princess Diana's wedding outfit and continue to be an important part of the exhibition, offering visitors a comprehensive view of this historic wedding attire.
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The dress's legacy
Princess Diana's wedding dress has gone down in history as one of the most iconic bridal gowns of all time. Designed by the former husband-and-wife duo David and Elizabeth Emanuel, the silk-and-taffeta wedding dress was hand-embroidered with mother-of-pearl sequins and an estimated 10,000 pearls. It also featured lace-trimmed puff sleeves, a ruffled neckline, a ball gown silhouette, and a 25-foot train. The dress was so long that the design team couldn't show Princess Diana the full look until the final fitting at Buckingham Palace.
The Emanuels were the only people who knew about the dress, and they helped conceptualize the design of the veil. Elizabeth shared that she asked for the tiny mother-of-pearl sequins to be scattered on the tulle so that only the sparkles of light would be visible, creating a fairy dust effect. The same sequins were used on the gown itself, so it would sparkle as Diana walked down the aisle. The Emanuels also designed a second, backup wedding gown in case their original creation was leaked to the press. This gown has since disappeared.
The wedding dress was on display in the exhibition 'Royal Style in the Making' at Kensington Palace, which closed on 2 January 2022. Princess Diana bequeathed the gown to her sons, Princes William and Harry, who officially inherited it in 2014. In her will, Diana wanted to commemorate this incredible woman and pay tribute to her enduring legacy. The dress has since been loaned out for exhibitions, including the 2021 show at Kensington Palace.
The ivory taffeta wedding dress designed for Diana, Princess of Wales, remains an iconic garment in royal wedding dress history. 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. The lace trim and train of the dress were created by Roger Watson Laces, one of their regular suppliers. This lace was also carried through in the bridesmaid dresses.
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Frequently asked questions
Princess Diana's wedding dress is considered one of the most iconic gowns ever worn by a royal bride. The dress was on display at the Princess Diana Museum as part of the ''Wedding of the Century' collection. It was also exhibited at Kensington Palace until 2 January 2022.
Princess Diana's wedding dress was designed by the former husband-and-wife duo, David and Elizabeth Emanuel.
The dress was made of silk and ivory taffeta. It featured a ruffled collar, puffed sleeves, a voluminous skirt, and a 25-foot train. The gown was hand-embroidered with mother-of-pearl sequins and an estimated 10,000 pearls.
