Royal Wedding Dresses
Our jaws dropped when we saw the stunning Ellie Saab wedding gown Countess Stephanie de Lannoy of Belgium (now Princess Stephanie of Luxembourg) wore last month and we instantly became swept up into all things royal all over again. We love it all – the extravagance, the formality, the titles and those military ensembles for the men! They are real life fairy tales and we’ve got some gorgeous royal wedding gowns to share – from the Queens of the past to our modern day princess brides.
Elizabeth Bowles Lyons (1923), or the late Queen Mother as we know her, married Prince Albert, who later became King George VI when his brother King Edward abdicated his crown (see below). Her flapper-like gown was considered modern for her time featuring a dropped waist with a boyish silhouette and intricate beading across the chest.
Wallis Simpson (1937) wore blue for her wedding to King Edward (who gave up the throne to marry Simpson). She was a fashion icon of her time and her Mainbocher gown with matching hat, that showed off her svelte figure, with a fitted waistband and gathered bodice became a widely copied dress.
Queen Elizabeth II (1947) married Philip Mountbatten of Greece in a dress designed by Normal Hartnell made of ivory duchess satin adorned with pearls, silver thread and tulle embroidery.
Grace Kelly (1956), in what was said to be the wedding of the century, married Prince Ranier of Monaco in a wedding gown designed by Helen Rose, wardrobe designer at MGM. Her high neck long-sleeved dress was made of antique Valenciennes rose point lace, silk taffeta and tulle.
Queen Beatrix (1966) of the Netherlands designed her own dress with the help of Mrs. Caroline Bergé-Farwick of Maison Linette in Den Bosch.
Princess Diana (1981) famously married Prince Charles in this Elizabeth Emmanuel ivory silk taffeta and lace gown that had a 25 foot train. Large puffed sleeves and full skirts became hugely popular following the wedding until Carolyn Bessette came along and changed bridal fashion for the better in 1996 .
Sarah Ferguson (1986) married Prince Andrew in an ivory duchesse satin gown designed by Lindka Cierach that featured heavy beading and a 17 foot long train.
Crown Princess Mette Marit (2001) of Norway wore a simple but mesmerizing silk crepe and silk tulle dress by designer Ove Harder Finseth for her 2001 wedding. A single mother with a rebellious past, her engagement to the Crown Prince stirred up quite a bit of controversy, and so she wisely chose a gown that was a reflection of her and not the typical grand royal ballgown.
Princess Maxima (2002) of the Netherlands married in a simple yet stunning long sleeve ivory Valentino gown.
Mary Donaldson (2004) married Frederik, the Crown Prince of Denmark in this gorgeous Uffe Frank designed gown. The off the shoulder dress featured a boat-neckline, calla sleeves and waterfall pleats down her skirt.
Princess Letizia (2004), a former journalist, married Prince Felipe of Spain in a Manuel Pertegaz gown that featured a high collar, long sleeves and a 15 foot train.
Kate Middleton (2010), in a wedding watched by millions around the world, stunned in her Sarah Burton for Alexander McQueen wedding gown when she married Prince William in 2010.
Crown Princess Victoria (2010) of Sweden married Daniel Westling in a short sleeve duchess satin gown designed by Pär Engsheden. Her gorgeous off the shoulder dress also had a 16.5 foot train.
Charlene Wittstock (2011) married Prince Albert of Monaco in a custom Giorgio Armani Prive gown. Opting for a more modern bridal look, the gown was made of silk duchesse satin with floral embroidery and Swarovski crystals in the front.
Princess Stephanie (2012) now of Luxembourg, married in this absolutely breathtaking Elie Saab embroidered gown, complete with a 13 foot train.
