Princess Elizabeth
When Princess Elizabeth married Prince Philip at Westminster Abbey over 70 years ago, her gown was precisely as impressively opulent as one would expect for the future queen. Designer Norman Hartnell tasked himself with creating the "most beautiful dress" he had ever made when he secured the coveted commission. Indeed, with rationing still in effect, the Princess used her coupons to acquire material for the gown. Interestingly, women all over the country sent her coupons, but she had to return them as it would have been illegal to use them.
The royal couturier looked to renaissance art and roamed through galleries for symbols as he sought inspiration to create a gown fit for a future monarch in post World War II Britain. The train of the gown, symbolic of rebirth and growth after the war, was stated to be inspired by Botticelli's 1482 painting of Primavera, particularly the elaborate embroidery motifs of scattered flowers on the rich satin dress and the tulle veil worn by the royal bride.
The designs for the dress were approved three months before the wedding. A striking element of the final design was the use of ivory silk with flower patterns of jasmine, smilax, lilac and white rose-like blossoms added to the train, embellished with white crystals and pearls. The silk cloth was chosen at the specific directive of her mother, who desired an "unusually rich, lustrous stiff satin which was made at Lullingstone Castle". Satin was chosen for the train, and a more flexible material of the same tone as the train was chosen for the dress. The final design was kept secret, although much speculation surrounded it. On the wedding day, the dress glittered - bejewelled with pearls "skilfully combined with flowing lines of wheat ears, the symbol of fertility, and worked in pearl and diamante". Hartnell more than fulfilled his brief; seven decades later the gown is a testament to exquisite craftsmanship and one of the best-loved royal wedding gowns of all time.
Princess Grace
When Hollywood's leading lady Grace Kelly found her prince, the world looked on as the real-life fairy tale unfolded in 1956. Grace and Rainier's son aptly described the celebratory atmosphere of the day "For us it was our parents getting married. But what it's meant for Monaco, for people around the world, and, how their story continues to fascinate people, that's something unimaginable." Grace's beautiful choice of wedding gown remains as iconic and timeless over sixty years later.
Grace turned to MGM head costume designer Helen Rose, who created many of her most memorable looks in movies such as High Society and The Swan, to create the masterpiece. The two were close friends and searched through the MGM archives for inspiration. A gown designed by Rose for the movie Invitation and subsequently worn by actress Dorothy McGuire served as a starting point for the design. Below, we see Ms McGuire in Invitation and to the right a sketch of Grace's gown.
The completed creation was a high-necked, long-sleeved gown with a fitted torso and billowing skirt. The dress materials included "twenty-five yards of silk taffeta, one hundred yards of silk net, peau de soie, tulle and 125-year-old Brussels rose point lace". Instead of a tiara, she wore a beaded floral Juliet cap with a 90-yard veil and carried a pearl-encrusted prayer book and a delicate bouquet of Lilies of the Valley. Kelly's shoe designer David Evins hid a copper penny inside her right shoe for good luck. One author described the dress as "adding to the marital fervor and elevating matrimonial fashion" and called it a major influence on women who strove to "emulate Kelly's peau de soie and lace masterpiece".
The gown is quite simply a masterclass in timeless bridal elegance. It still serves as a template, inspiring brides and designers. One can draw parallels between Grace's story and Meghan's; both American actresses marrying a prince and beginning an entirely new chapter in their lives.
Princess Margaret
A gown remembered as a "study in simplicity" will have without question caught Meghan's eye. Indeed, when one thinks of Princess Margaret, 'simplicity' is not the word which springs to mind. The Queen's younger sister was the life and soul of the party; a complicated and colourful personality who adored fashion. I suspect her choice of gown may have surprised some who expected her to outdo her sister when she walked up the aisle at Westminster Abbey.
Instead, Margaret, who also chose her sister's wedding gown designer Norman Hartnell, opted for a gown effortlessly elegant owing to its clean lines and exquisite tailoring. Made from silk organza, the skirt comprised some 30 metres of fabric. Hartnell specifically kept the adornments of the dress such as the crystal embellishments and beading to a minimum in order to suit Margaret's petite frame.
It was the first royal wedding ever televised, and viewed by over 300 million people. In 1960, Life magazine named it "the simplest royal wedding gown in history". It has also been described as one of Hartnell's most beautiful and sophisticated pieces.
The 1980s heralded a new dawn for the British Royal family when Prince Charles married Lady Diana Spencer at St Paul's Cathedral. Twenty-year-old Diana became a worldwide sensation and millions all over the globe tuned in to see the bride on her wedding day.
Diana selected designers David and Elizabeth Emanuel because she adored a chiffon blouse they made for her for a formal photo session with Lord Snowdon, Princess Margaret's ex-husband.
Elizabeth Emanuel, described it as a dress that "had to be something that was going to go down in history, but also something that Diana loved", and which would be "suitably dramatic in order to make an impression". The woven silk taffeta was made by Stephen Walters of Suffolk. The Emanuels consulted Maureen Baker, who had made the wedding dress of Princess Anne, during their construction of the gown. One observer wrote "the dress was a crinoline, a symbol of sexuality and grandiosity, a meringue embroidered with pearls and sequins, its bodice frilled with lace". The gown was decorated with hand embroidery, sequins, and 10,000 pearls. The lace used to trim it was antique hand-made Carrickmacross lace which had belonged to Queen Mary.
The creation process was not all smooth sailing, with issues encountered along the journey. Fittings of the dress posed difficulties because Diana dropped from a size 14 to a size 10 in the months leading up to the wedding. Even the seamstress was concerned about her weight loss and feared the dress might not fit as it should. According to writer Andrew Morton in Diana: Her True Story, the gown's designers realised too late that they had forgotten to allow for the train's length in relation to the size of the glass coach Diana and her father rode in to the ceremony. They found it difficult to fit inside the glass coach, and the train was badly crushed despite Diana's efforts. This accounted for the visible wrinkles in the wedding gown when she arrived at the cathedral.
The gown, featuring puffed sleeves and a full skirt, served as inspiration for brides throughout the decade. Many bridal experts considered the dress a "gold standard" in wedding fashion in the years after the wedding. Elizabeth Emanuel noted in 2011 that she still received requests for replicas of Diana's dress. With the passage of 35 years, the gown hasn't stood the test of time as well as others listed here, however, one must remember it was very much a design of its time and in 1981 it was a fabulous choice for a future queen. Where is the gown now? The dress transferred ownership from her brother to her sons in 2014 because she had requested that her belongings be handed back to them when they both turned 30. It remains one of the most famous dresses in the world.
And in 2011, Prince William married his longtime love Kate Middleton at Westminster Abbey. Though almost seven years ago, I can still vividly recall the collective gasp when Michael Middleton opened the door of the vintage Rolls Royce Phantom and Kate stepped out in the ivory satin and lace masterpiece by Sarah Burton.
Before the wedding, speculation was rife as to the chosen designer of the dress. The month before the wedding, The Sunday Times reported Ms Middleton had chosen McQueen designer Sarah Burton. Their report stated: "A fashion source said that the dress will be a combination of Middleton's own design ideas and Burton's deep knowledge and understanding of high fashion."
The designer's work came to Kate's attention in 2005 when she attended the wedding of Tom Parker Bowles, the son of Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall. Burton had designed the bridal gown for his bride, fashion journalist Sara Buys.
A statement issued by Clarence House read: "Miss Middleton chose British brand Alexander McQueen for the beauty of its craftsmanship and its respect for traditional workmanship and the technical construction of clothing. Miss Middleton wished for her dress to combine tradition and modernity with the artistic vision that characterises Alexander McQueen's work."
The sweeping gown featured a strapless,Victorian-style corset, narrowed at the waist and padded at the hips - underneath a high-necked, long-sleeved, sculpted bodice in intricate lacework, hand made by the Royal School of Needlework at Hampton Court Palace, and incorporating individual, hand-cut and embroidered flowers representing the rose, thistle, daffodil and shamrock. The English Cluny lace was hand worked in the Carrickmacross tradition, which originated in Ireland in the 1820s, and was mixed with French Chantilly lace.
The main body of the dress was made in ivory and white satin gazar, using UK fabrics which had been specially sourced by Sarah Burton, with a long, full skirt designed to echo an opening flower, with soft pleats which unfolded to the floor, forming a Victorian-style semi-bustle at the back, and finishing in a short train measuring just under three metres.
The Royal School of Needlework worked closely with the Alexander McQueen atelier team, the hand-stitchers washing their hands every thirty minutes to keep the lace and threads pristine, and changing the needles every three hours.The lace was also used to trim the skirt, as well as the veil, which was made in layers of ivory silk tulle. To partially fulfil the 'something blue' portion of the British wedding tradition, a blue ribbon was sewn inside the dress. The design for the bodice of the dress featuring lace in the style of the 19th Century was the 'something old'.
Sarah Burton later spoke about the experience, keeping it a secret and working with the future queen:
Kate's gown was hailed as a triumph; marrying tradition with modernity and echoing Grace Kelly's romantic, regal gown. The impeccably-crafted piece was a true collaboration between Kate and Sarah Burton, and many years from now will remain a classic, timeless example which I believe will inspire brides for many generations to come.
After casting a quick glance at his future sister-in-law, Prince Harry smiled, turned to William and said: "Wait till you see her." In just over three months William will be returning the favour :)
Looking at the five gowns they all share similar traits; full skirts, long sleeves and trains. They all very much fulfil the 'fairy-tale princess' grown ideal too. Are there specific protocols the designer of a royal wedding has to follow? It turns out the answer is no. Elizabeth Emmanuel revealed "there was absolutely no instruction or protocol from the palace". No formal requirements are issued, however, it is expected the bride will take into the consideration the wedding is in the presence of the monarch and a gown for a day of national celebration.
I chatted with royal commentator Victoria Arbiter who kindly shared her thoughts: "There really aren't any set rules when it comes to wedding dresses but a certain level of decorum would be expected. Many have said that sleeveless is forbidden, but Zara didn't have her arms covered. Out of respect to the Church and the Queen's position I would imagine Meghan will have her shoulders covered, but having said that she and Harry have been doing whatever feels most appropriate to them and he will want her to go with the dress of her dreams. She will be very aware of the eyes of the world on her and I expect she will want to go with what is 'right' while also incorporating her own style, but no-one will be dictating what she can and can't have."
Grace turned to MGM head costume designer Helen Rose, who created many of her most memorable looks in movies such as High Society and The Swan, to create the masterpiece. The two were close friends and searched through the MGM archives for inspiration. A gown designed by Rose for the movie Invitation and subsequently worn by actress Dorothy McGuire served as a starting point for the design. Below, we see Ms McGuire in Invitation and to the right a sketch of Grace's gown.
The completed creation was a high-necked, long-sleeved gown with a fitted torso and billowing skirt. The dress materials included "twenty-five yards of silk taffeta, one hundred yards of silk net, peau de soie, tulle and 125-year-old Brussels rose point lace". Instead of a tiara, she wore a beaded floral Juliet cap with a 90-yard veil and carried a pearl-encrusted prayer book and a delicate bouquet of Lilies of the Valley. Kelly's shoe designer David Evins hid a copper penny inside her right shoe for good luck. One author described the dress as "adding to the marital fervor and elevating matrimonial fashion" and called it a major influence on women who strove to "emulate Kelly's peau de soie and lace masterpiece".
The gown is quite simply a masterclass in timeless bridal elegance. It still serves as a template, inspiring brides and designers. One can draw parallels between Grace's story and Meghan's; both American actresses marrying a prince and beginning an entirely new chapter in their lives.
Princess Margaret
A gown remembered as a "study in simplicity" will have without question caught Meghan's eye. Indeed, when one thinks of Princess Margaret, 'simplicity' is not the word which springs to mind. The Queen's younger sister was the life and soul of the party; a complicated and colourful personality who adored fashion. I suspect her choice of gown may have surprised some who expected her to outdo her sister when she walked up the aisle at Westminster Abbey.
Instead, Margaret, who also chose her sister's wedding gown designer Norman Hartnell, opted for a gown effortlessly elegant owing to its clean lines and exquisite tailoring. Made from silk organza, the skirt comprised some 30 metres of fabric. Hartnell specifically kept the adornments of the dress such as the crystal embellishments and beading to a minimum in order to suit Margaret's petite frame.
It was the first royal wedding ever televised, and viewed by over 300 million people. In 1960, Life magazine named it "the simplest royal wedding gown in history". It has also been described as one of Hartnell's most beautiful and sophisticated pieces.
Princess Diana
The 1980s heralded a new dawn for the British Royal family when Prince Charles married Lady Diana Spencer at St Paul's Cathedral. Twenty-year-old Diana became a worldwide sensation and millions all over the globe tuned in to see the bride on her wedding day.
Diana selected designers David and Elizabeth Emanuel because she adored a chiffon blouse they made for her for a formal photo session with Lord Snowdon, Princess Margaret's ex-husband.
Elizabeth Emanuel, described it as a dress that "had to be something that was going to go down in history, but also something that Diana loved", and which would be "suitably dramatic in order to make an impression". The woven silk taffeta was made by Stephen Walters of Suffolk. The Emanuels consulted Maureen Baker, who had made the wedding dress of Princess Anne, during their construction of the gown. One observer wrote "the dress was a crinoline, a symbol of sexuality and grandiosity, a meringue embroidered with pearls and sequins, its bodice frilled with lace". The gown was decorated with hand embroidery, sequins, and 10,000 pearls. The lace used to trim it was antique hand-made Carrickmacross lace which had belonged to Queen Mary.
The creation process was not all smooth sailing, with issues encountered along the journey. Fittings of the dress posed difficulties because Diana dropped from a size 14 to a size 10 in the months leading up to the wedding. Even the seamstress was concerned about her weight loss and feared the dress might not fit as it should. According to writer Andrew Morton in Diana: Her True Story, the gown's designers realised too late that they had forgotten to allow for the train's length in relation to the size of the glass coach Diana and her father rode in to the ceremony. They found it difficult to fit inside the glass coach, and the train was badly crushed despite Diana's efforts. This accounted for the visible wrinkles in the wedding gown when she arrived at the cathedral.
The gown, featuring puffed sleeves and a full skirt, served as inspiration for brides throughout the decade. Many bridal experts considered the dress a "gold standard" in wedding fashion in the years after the wedding. Elizabeth Emanuel noted in 2011 that she still received requests for replicas of Diana's dress. With the passage of 35 years, the gown hasn't stood the test of time as well as others listed here, however, one must remember it was very much a design of its time and in 1981 it was a fabulous choice for a future queen. Where is the gown now? The dress transferred ownership from her brother to her sons in 2014 because she had requested that her belongings be handed back to them when they both turned 30. It remains one of the most famous dresses in the world.
The Duchess of Cambridge
And in 2011, Prince William married his longtime love Kate Middleton at Westminster Abbey. Though almost seven years ago, I can still vividly recall the collective gasp when Michael Middleton opened the door of the vintage Rolls Royce Phantom and Kate stepped out in the ivory satin and lace masterpiece by Sarah Burton.
Before the wedding, speculation was rife as to the chosen designer of the dress. The month before the wedding, The Sunday Times reported Ms Middleton had chosen McQueen designer Sarah Burton. Their report stated: "A fashion source said that the dress will be a combination of Middleton's own design ideas and Burton's deep knowledge and understanding of high fashion."
The designer's work came to Kate's attention in 2005 when she attended the wedding of Tom Parker Bowles, the son of Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall. Burton had designed the bridal gown for his bride, fashion journalist Sara Buys.
A statement issued by Clarence House read: "Miss Middleton chose British brand Alexander McQueen for the beauty of its craftsmanship and its respect for traditional workmanship and the technical construction of clothing. Miss Middleton wished for her dress to combine tradition and modernity with the artistic vision that characterises Alexander McQueen's work."
The sweeping gown featured a strapless,Victorian-style corset, narrowed at the waist and padded at the hips - underneath a high-necked, long-sleeved, sculpted bodice in intricate lacework, hand made by the Royal School of Needlework at Hampton Court Palace, and incorporating individual, hand-cut and embroidered flowers representing the rose, thistle, daffodil and shamrock. The English Cluny lace was hand worked in the Carrickmacross tradition, which originated in Ireland in the 1820s, and was mixed with French Chantilly lace.
The main body of the dress was made in ivory and white satin gazar, using UK fabrics which had been specially sourced by Sarah Burton, with a long, full skirt designed to echo an opening flower, with soft pleats which unfolded to the floor, forming a Victorian-style semi-bustle at the back, and finishing in a short train measuring just under three metres.
The Royal School of Needlework worked closely with the Alexander McQueen atelier team, the hand-stitchers washing their hands every thirty minutes to keep the lace and threads pristine, and changing the needles every three hours.The lace was also used to trim the skirt, as well as the veil, which was made in layers of ivory silk tulle. To partially fulfil the 'something blue' portion of the British wedding tradition, a blue ribbon was sewn inside the dress. The design for the bodice of the dress featuring lace in the style of the 19th Century was the 'something old'.
Sarah Burton later spoke about the experience, keeping it a secret and working with the future queen:
"'It was so great to actually keep a secret, especially in this day and age when everyone talks about everything.' Burton's parents, Anthony and Diane Heard, were told only on the eve of the ceremony. To find out just what their daughter had created, the couple had to join the crowds on the Mall and catch a glimpse of the Duchess via a periscope. It has been the experience of a lifetime to work with Catherine Middleton, to create her wedding dress, and I have enjoyed every minute of it."
Kate's gown was hailed as a triumph; marrying tradition with modernity and echoing Grace Kelly's romantic, regal gown. The impeccably-crafted piece was a true collaboration between Kate and Sarah Burton, and many years from now will remain a classic, timeless example which I believe will inspire brides for many generations to come.
After casting a quick glance at his future sister-in-law, Prince Harry smiled, turned to William and said: "Wait till you see her." In just over three months William will be returning the favour :)
Protocol
Looking at the five gowns they all share similar traits; full skirts, long sleeves and trains. They all very much fulfil the 'fairy-tale princess' grown ideal too. Are there specific protocols the designer of a royal wedding has to follow? It turns out the answer is no. Elizabeth Emmanuel revealed "there was absolutely no instruction or protocol from the palace". No formal requirements are issued, however, it is expected the bride will take into the consideration the wedding is in the presence of the monarch and a gown for a day of national celebration.
I chatted with royal commentator Victoria Arbiter who kindly shared her thoughts: "There really aren't any set rules when it comes to wedding dresses but a certain level of decorum would be expected. Many have said that sleeveless is forbidden, but Zara didn't have her arms covered. Out of respect to the Church and the Queen's position I would imagine Meghan will have her shoulders covered, but having said that she and Harry have been doing whatever feels most appropriate to them and he will want her to go with the dress of her dreams. She will be very aware of the eyes of the world on her and I expect she will want to go with what is 'right' while also incorporating her own style, but no-one will be dictating what she can and can't have."
It is always so much fun to look back at royal wedding gowns! I married my college sweetheart 12 years ago and I still stop to peruse the wedding magazines whenever I'm in a bookstore. I have a Pinterest page of gorgeous wedding gowns that I update way more often than I should. Wedding fashion is just so much fun!
ReplyDeleteI wonder if Meghan will go with a cap sleeve or long sleeve for her dress? I imagine her in something similar to Pippa's gown...whatever she chooses, it will be FABULOUS and she will look effortlessly beautiful. I cannot wait.
Thanks, Charlotte, for this royal wedding gown retrospective. The big day isn't too far away, now!! *eeeeek*
Shantel
Minnesota, USA
I love cap sleeves but think Meghan won't wear them since Pippa did just a year ago. Meghan will want hers to be unique. I think short sleeves to show off her toned arms, though...or even no sleeves but NOT strapless (tacky and overdone in my opinion). I think her hair will be up but in a relatively
Deletesexy way (but hopefully no messy bun).
I shy away from predicting what Wedding dress/ designer she will use because I don't want to spoil the element of surprise. I, however, would love to see her hair up somewhat like Princess Grace as she would look absolutely stunning. Lucky Harry!
ReplyDeleteFun to see them all in a line up. Diana's is an absolute mess to my eye, Love the fabric of the Queens, really like Margaret's. All of them except Kate's are too much skirt for me. Not crazy about the strapless one as I am not fond of that mermaid style skirt. I went with a simple line but lace when I got married, now I would go with probably no lace and just gorgeous heavier fabric, not shiny, and a more tailored simple look. Will be fun to see what she chooses.
ReplyDeleteYes,Margaret was the a fairytale princess,and what a fabulous huge tiara!
DeleteMy God ! will I manage to hold until May 19 🤗
ReplyDeleteI remember the Wedding of Kate and William that I had watched live from France
the dresses of Grace Margaret and Kate of course make me dream 😍
It's my birthday, too! I'm So Excited!!
DeleteBea, May 19 is my birthday as well! I'm so excited to spend it watching the wedding!
Deleteso reason for it to be a wonderful day 🎉🎉
DeleteI've always loved Margaret's dress. It's extra stunning for being so simple, imo. It's so graceful and has such an impact even without lots of beading and jewels. (Not a fan of her tiara and veil though.) I wouldn't be surprised if Meghan goes for a similar aesthetic.
ReplyDeleteKate´s dress was beautiful, but I must admit, the wonderful lace work on the skirt didn´t come out on TV at all. So it looked very simple, and with the comparatively short train (well, at least for my generation who had Diana´s train planted firmly in their heads as "THE train" = "that´s how a royal train should look like", LOL!!), it was a tiny little bit "disappointing" at first sight. It was only later on, when closer pictures emerged, that it could be fully appreciated.
ReplyDeleteDiana´s dress, on the other hand, looked absolutely right at the time (well, for a romantic teenage girl like me at least!) - it looked amazing even on a small black-and-white TV screen in a holiday appartment in the Swiss mountains!! The tiny sequins and pearls that the Emanuels had used even for the veil made it look absolutely magical. It surely was the right dress for her and was playing a huge part in making us all think she´s the perfect princess. As one of the ITV commenters said on the documentary "The wedding of the century": "It was the dress to end all dresses...". It really felt like that to me at the time!!!!
In the documentary "Royal weddings on film" the narrator says that Margaret´s husband-to-be himself gave the sketches to Hartnell, I read somewhere because he wanted her to be in something "modern" and "simple" - not all lace and ruffles, etc. He was a very trendy photographer at the time and had his own "aesthetics" as an artist. Interesting, isn´t it?
I experienced D's dress a big disaster right at her wedding day and I still do not like it. The most beautiful still is Grace's.
DeleteMe too. I was a teenager at the time myself, and I just went, “No.”
DeleteYes, Eve, Diana's dress was lovely *at the time*. Romantic and appropriate for a massive cathedral .
DeleteAnd I never knew that about the design of Margaret's gown. It seems that hubby to be did not have much faith in royal fashion choices. :-) I thought it was regal without being fussy. Perhaps that was the goal!
Thank you so much for this lovely post, Charlotte!! I loved reading it and my favourite dress is the one of HM. I've never heard the story of the renaissance inspiration before - fascinating! I also love Kate's and Margaret's dresses.
ReplyDeleteI honestly do not know what to expect from Meghan. I can see her in a very laid back "hippie" style of dress as they appear low key/maintenance people. I can also see her very Hollywood. I am hoping for something like an old, classic Hollywood look I guess. She and Prince Harry look very much a Hollywood/LA couple. I love all the dresses and I especially love Princess Grace's gown and the length of Diana's train. I shot for a LONG train for my own wedding bc my mother and I absolutely adored Diana. (I was fortunate to see Princess Di's wedding gown in Dayton, OH many years ago. It is AMAZING in person!) I cannot wait for the wedding to see if anyone successfully guess Meghan's style of gown.
ReplyDeleteMy favourite of these is Princess Margaret's - its simplicity is appealing.
ReplyDeletePrincess Elizabeth's fit seems off. Princess Diana's is awful and even hanging up in a museum, looks crumpled. Not keen on Kate's either as I loathe lace on a wedding dress. Princess Grace's was stunning too but wouldn't be right nowadays.
I hope Meghan goes with a fitted bodice and a full princessy skirt - it would look stunning and unexpected. I hope for a tiara too!!
Can't wait!
I cannot wait to see what Meghan chooses. I love Kate's gown, and always thought it was interesting that people didn't comment more on her dress having a low cut, deep-V neckline. That feature of the dress immediately stood out to me and it could be quite revealing depending on one's shape and figure. I remember wondering if there was neckline protocol. Lovely post! This was so fun to read!!
ReplyDeleteYes, that neckline on another woman would have showed some cleavage! It was fine and tasteful on Kate because it didn't.
DeleteI thought the low v-neck might raise eyebrows, but honestly Kate is so slim and has a very flat chest so there wasn’t any cleavage.
DeleteI too loved Kate's gown & I think the v-neckline made the dress. To me it's my favorite Wedding Dress ever! I still love my Wedding Dress 36yrs on & loved my Daughter's dress. But there is something Magical & Timeless about Kate & her dress. To me, Kate was a big part of making that dress so beautiful. The dress wouldn't have looked as perfect on someone other than Kate. As we now know, she added so much meaning into the design & lacework of her dress, which makes it all the more special. I love how at the time, that was just a talking point, but we have since learned that aspect is very Kate! Little did we know that she would be weaving in meaning into her Royal sartorial fashion choices to come! :) Thanks Charlotte for all these wonderful posts that you have created for us, as we continue to get excited about H&M's Wedding! I too have absolutely No Idea of what to expect from Meghan, so I am just sitting back, enjoying the excitement & awaiting The Surprise! The only thing I have, is a hunch that she too may choose Sarah Burton! :)
DeleteMeghan has a similar structure so deep necks shouldn’t be a problem for her too
DeleteYes, the v-neck was low, but it worked with Kate's figure as has been pointed out here.
DeleteCA Cowgirl, I share your opinion regarding the Duchess of Cambridge's wedding gown. I know Princess Diana's dress reflected the 1980s trend to many people, but as I saw it on my small TV at 19, I saw perfection. Yes, the dress was a delightful confection, but it was Diana's presence that created a magical memory as she floated down the aisle with the sparkling Spencer crown!
DeleteGrace Kelly's dress is symbolic of a classical era which I hope has a rebirth soon! As I watched the Cambridge wedding-- a little older and wiser- but with tea and scones at the break of dawn- I admired the simplicity of Duchess Kate's gown, but Prince William's selection of the red uniform was too vivid a contrast in color for me, and I would have preferred his subtle blue Royal Airforce uniform.
Ironically, as I would see Duchess Kate's gown on exhibit, I was struck by the fact that the bodice seemed very v-shaped with cone seams that reminded me of the 80s and singer Maddona's fashion style. I did not see a resemblance to Princess Grace's dress as I previously thought was a model for the style chosen by the Duchess. Enjoyed your restrospective so much Charlotte! So fun to take a walk down memory's lane!
I don't much care for most of them and I like Kate's the best. I've never been as crazy about Grace Kelly's gown the way most people are, and I don't like the Queen's either. Diana's is a wrinkly cream puff, and Margaret's is a bit too stiff although I really like the idea of it.
ReplyDeleteI love Mette Marit of Norway's gown. She looked amazing that day. And I liked Beatrice Boromeo's gown(s) when she married Casiraghi. Grand Duchess Stephanie of Luxembourg's gown is a lot like Beatrice's and I thought she looked good.
bluhare, count me in! I LOVED Mette-Marit´s gown back in the day and I still go on Youtube every now and then to watch a video someone made with pictures from a book about the wedding that was released in Norway and contains beautiful pictures and "behind-the-scenes". I even watch the wedding every now and then, there´s a good quality video on one of our German national tv stations website. It was a very unique wedding, "royal" and "un-royal" at the same time, very much in the spirit of the new Millenium. Think about the fact that Mette-Marit and Haakon went on a secret honeymoon directly afterwards to New York. They returned VERY shortly (I think they even flew the day before) before 9/11 happened....
DeleteBeatrice Boromeo looked amazing in her gown! Sadly (for us fans of royal wedding gowns at least), there weren´t many pictures/footage of the gown.
Elie Saab is phenomenal. Both Stephanie and later on her sister-in-law, Claire, had spectacular wedding-gowns. His creations just have this "WOW!!!"-factor. Looke at CP Victoria´s evening gown she wore for her pre-wedding-gala - the same....
Uhhh, I´m SO curious as to how the dress Meghan chooses will look like!! Three months to go! :-))))
For Meghan, I’m really hoping for something along the lines of Beatrice’s reception dress with the Watteau trains coming from the shoulder.
DeleteVeils are typically for first time brides. Since Meghan has been married before, a Watteau train or a cape would be a fantastic (and on trend!) way to add some Bridal magic.
I totally agree that something similar to Mette-Marit's gown would be perfect! Very elegant, but still very bridal. Even her veil placement compliments the tiara perfectly. Meghan seems pretty sophisticated to wear a blusher veil, anyway.
DeleteMette-Marit's gown is so simple and yet so perfect! The skirt and train have a wonderful flow, there are absolutely gorgeous pictures of that gown! There's also a very sweet picture of Haakon and Queen Sonja kneeling in her gown to adjust Mette-Marit's train :)
DeleteThat would be beautiful! At first I thought of Princess Beatrice, former Queen of the Netherlands, and then I realized you meant Beatrice Barromeo, wife of Pierre Casarhigi of Monaco. I love, love, love her reception dress. It was my favorite of her many wedding dresses!
DeleteNo need to publish! Small detail...
ReplyDeleteUnder Kate Middleton, their wedding was almost 7 years ago, not 8...
Love this post!
Anon, thank you very much :)
DeleteDoes anyone else think Ralph Lauren is a contender for the dress designer? I don't know why, but that sticks out to me for some reason. Burberry does, too. (I'm really obsessed with these two brands right now so, this could totally just be my bias! LOL!)
ReplyDeleteShantel
Minnesota, USA
Loved this post, thank you so much, Charlotte! I, too, am not sure which kind of a dress to expect from Meghan, but I know it will be gorgeous and (dare I say it?) unique. I love her playfulness with fashion and her relaxed, feminine experimentation with menswear. I keep wondering how that side of her taste will factor into the design of her gown.
ReplyDeletePerhaps we might see a structured sheath, or a gown with a few structured elements, rounded neck, and a diaphanous skirt?
I can't wait. :) :)
🌸 The gown that I want Meghan to wear is Pronovia’s “Raigal”. Or one just like it.
DeleteThat gown is perfect for St. George’s Chapel and the Great Hall at Windsor Castle and it is perfect for Meghan. Add the perfect veil, perfect tiara, perfect small bouquet and voila’. 🎉
I don’t know how it could get any better. In my humble opinion. :)
I agree the raigal is beautiful I would like her to wear a dress like this
Delete:)
DeleteSurfer girl,that gown is absolutely beautiful and fits in with Meghan's aesthetics. This is getting quite exciting!
DeleteBeautiful choice, SG! 👍
DeleteI LOVE THAT GOWN.💕
DeleteBut to give credit wear credit is due, Anon 02:32
(see, this is a prime example why taking a moniker other than Anon is preferable in my opinion), found the gown on 1/28/18 and linked the gown on Charlotte’s 1/26/18 wedding gown page. :)
If you are reading this Anon, kudos on finding
the simply dreamiest gown ever. :)
surfer girl, you found it!!!! How gorgeous is that dress?! Pronovias hits it, every time! I can see Victoria Beckham, McQueen, or even Erdem following a style along these lines.
Delete🌸 Oh I do hope so, Lauren. :)
Delete🌸 ruh roe. I didn’t like any of the gowns except Diana’s very Cinderella-like gown. And the Spencer tiara just sparkled and sparkled.
ReplyDeleteI do hope she carries a small bouquet and that she holds in down in front of her instead of up more where a lot of brides do. When they do that it covers up the gown. Kate has a small bouquet and held it down in front so people could actually see her gown.
Good point. Less is more. ☺
Delete🌸 I had never heard that the lace trim on Diana’s gown was handmade lace that had belonged to Queen Mary. (where do they keep all these things?)
ReplyDeleteNice little historical fact though.
Grace Kelley.... ahhhh. Timeless beauty.
ReplyDeleteI think that Harry said "wait til you see her" to William is one of the sweetest things I have ever heard. I am sure Meghan will be just as beautiful and radiant and I look forward to the day. It's getting close!
The skirt on Catherine’s gown is so beautifully constructed, I was stunned when she got out of the car. Princess Grace is first for me. I hope Meghan chooses long sleeves and a simple silhouette. It is, after all, her second marriage. I know that will seem frightfully old-fashioned to some. I know she will look wonderful.
ReplyDeleteBrides are fine in their own days and their own styles. Meghan had been wearing enough black outfits. Three months before a wedding is more or less the real pre bridal time. I hope and wish that she will not wear any black until after three months of her wedding including upcoming engagement. Victoria Arbiter is correct for the most part, they do their own thing, but a purpose will be lost once the honeymoon time is over with the public. MM can continue be her authentic self whatever that means to her w/o frequenting black. Black clothes can be addictive for better or worse.
ReplyDeleteAnon15
I like all these gowns except Diana's, and Tom Bowles's wife's strapless mermaid gown. During the 1980s I didn't like contemporary fashions, and they really haven't held up well as Diana's gown attests. (I didn't see that wedding as I didn't have a tv at that time--I was listening to it on my little radio in my attic apartment.) Princess Margaret's gown has lasted the best, to my taste. It's beautiful with classic lines and gorgeous fabric. Close behind it is Princess Elizabeth's gown with all that wonderful symbolic embroidery with the pearls and crystals. Such elegance. Princess Grace's gown and Kate's gown are tied in my book. They are both beautiful examples of the lace bodice with the full skirt idea. I like Kate's skirt shape just a tad more than I like Grace's. Ok, I also like the symbolic lace on Kate's dress. Maybe I just moved it ahead of Grace's dress. I am another of those who gasped when she got out of the car and stood revealed in that gown with its train and lovely veil. What a vision she was, what a great moment. How fun it will be when it's Meghan's turn. I'm hoping for another such moment when everybody smiles and says she nailed it.
ReplyDeleteHi Charlotte:) I'm wondering if you saw a comment come thru from me for this post? I've noticed for some weird reason that I have no problem posting on DKB but have had a bunch of trouble with posts not appearing here & you've assured me that non came through? Wierder yet, is often I've been posting on DKB with no problem & then I pop over here & have a bit of trouble? I'm wondering if it's a difference whether I exit DKB & then re-enter via my bookmark to MAM, in comparison to when I'm on DKB & when finished I just click on her black & white pic there on the right side to get over here? Sorry to bother, just trying to solve my mystery. :)
ReplyDeleteHello Becca,
DeleteI found this comment and one other from you in Spam. It's been a recurring issue with numerous comments for weeks now. I'm going to properly look into it during the week.
My apologies for the inconvenience Becca, don't hesitate to let me know if it happens again.
That's good to know. I have been having the same issue. I thought I had been banned LOL.
Deleteawwhh. :(
Deletehugs, BethNY :)
Thank you Charlotte, that was a very interesting post! I really enjoyed reading about these famous wedding dresses.
ReplyDeleteI think Princess Anne's wedding dress was the most beautiful and quite different from the others shown.
ReplyDeleteLoved Princess Grace , and Kate’s wedding dress . It’s timeless !!!!
ReplyDeleteHoping for something like this but looking at Meghan s saratorial choices ( seems that she is purposely dressing in dull n boring clothes ) , don’t want to have my hopes high !
Meghan I feel will go for something very simple . Maybe the most simple for a royal bride .
Other than what one might think there have actually been a number of simple royal wedding gowns: Queen Sonja, Queen Silvia, Queen Mathilde, Princess Victoria, Princess Mette-Marit, Princess Charlene, Princess Laurentien, Queen Maxima of all people and Princess Margaret as seen here.
DeleteI assume that she will change into a different dress for the private reception (like Kate did). So the dress that the public will see will be a ceremonial , public dress. I assume it won't necessarily be Meghan's dream dress.
ReplyDeleteOh Fiona. :) Meghan NOT having the wedding dress of her dreams as she walks down the aisle to meet Harry for their vows? Meghan marrying her Prince Charming at a Royal Chapel at a Castle and NOT
Deletewearing the wedding dress of her dreams? A wedding that will make the pages of history with the whole world watching and NOT have the wedding gown of her dreams? My dear, I think maybe the weight of the situation might have you feeling a little overwhelmed. (I know that felling, lol.) Have a spot of tea, relax, and imagine you are planning your gown for the second biggest wedding of the century so far. With all protocols of “proper attire” considered and incorporated, you wouldn’t want to compromise on the wedding gown of your dreams now would you? xoxo :) (said in encouragement and with the warmest regards, btw)
I never saw the similarity between the dresses of Princess Grace & Duchess Kate except for the lace bodice. I always thought Kate's dress was much closer in design to Princess Margaret's, which was lovely in its simplicity. Diana's dress was a disaster from the get-go. Wrong fabric, wrong design, wrong designers. The dress, as they say, wore her. She was completely lost in that wrinkled monstrosity. My only hope for Meghan's dress is that it isn't a slinky, tight fitting affair. Nothing poofy as I don't think that's her style just more refined - respectful of the venue and occasion.
ReplyDeleteGrace:It's my favorite wedding gown ever!!Perfection!
ReplyDeleteElizabeth:Love the color so much!
Diana:Very close to the 80's fashion.Looking back on Diana's dress I remember how horribly wrinkled it was when she got out of the coach.Anyway his dress will be remembered for decades.
MM isn't a blushing 20-something first time bride. She's a 36 year old divorced professional woman. It would be a huge missed opportunity to go with the usual white gown and veil - she could set a whole new standard for second wedding dresses if she creatively used color and design for something breathtaking and uniquely perfect.
ReplyDeleteWhy?
DeleteI think a simple and sophisticated design would look better given her age, but I don't believe she needs to go with a second-wedding type dress.
DeleteI agree - I've mentioned before that I don't think a veil is considered appropriate for a second wedding. Meghan seems to like grey - a silvery dress could look lovely, either something ethereal or perhaps in a heavy satin. I hope she doesn't wear a strapless or sleeveless gown.
DeleteI was born just a couple of months before Diana and was married two years after her. To me her dress is nostalgic perfection, but at the same time I can see how dated it looks now!
Sarah UK
Silver sounds perfect - and it goes so well with diamonds!
DeleteQueen Leticia was a 30 something professional bride and she wore a traditional white gown.
DeleteMM can wear whichever color or silhouette she wishes to wear. Not all brides these days are blushing 26-year-olds.
DeleteLetizia was a divorced 30 something professional woman & she wore white when she married the future (present) King of Spain... Meghan can wear white if she wants to...
DeleteMette-Marit was a single mother (whose son was included in the wedding service) & she wore white to her wedding (her husband is the future King of Norway)...Meghan can wear any colour she wants to...
My favorites are Kate's and Grace's gowns. I don't want to pick one over the other because I see them as different times' versions of the same thing. Lovely. To me Grace's gown remains the ultimate royal wedding classic and I'd love to see Meghan's take on it but I'm sure she won't go in that direction, as Kate already did and it doesn't quite seem to fit her style.
ReplyDeleteDiana: sorry but that is the most horrible gown to me! I know it's the time but those huge sleeves and ruffles - it just looks like some huge weird thing that totally swamps her. I don't know what people were thinking at the time but then I always feel that way about 80s fashion.
Like Princess Grace's, Margaret's gown has stood the test of time. It is the perfect simple royal wedding gown and as Meghan is likely to go in that direction, I'd love for her & her designer to look to Margaret's gown for inspiration.
Personally, I also love all 3 of the Swedish princesses' wedding gowns.
Kate made my dream when she turned out in sophisticated but traditional gown with beautiful victorian elemwnts. I love this gown so much as Grace's gown as but I am sure that Meg will choose (or she has just choosen ) something different. She can more than Kate in Westminster Abbey in front of quenns,kings.
ReplyDeleteI enjoy the Queen's gown the most---probably because of the time period. I had never been very fond of Kate's gown but I realize part of the problem is not having the fantastic images you use here, Charlotte. I obviously came to your blog way after the the wedding. MM does not seem to like lace much but maybe large bits of lace designs or trim would work. She wisely dresses to suit her figure. I think she's have a fussier gown than she might prefer just to show that the wedding is very special. I'm thinking form-fitting but not stiff, off the shoulder, satin with exotic trim, hair pulled up and full, I hope some extra diamonds.
ReplyDeleteSpeaking of diamonds, I hate all the fuzzy images of her engagement ring and finally found a site with a very clear view. It looks like the setting is pretty flat, which makes sense because the diamond looks pretty big. And gorgeous. Wonder if she'll receive jewelry from Charles and/or Will/Kate and/or the Queen and Philip. She seems to like diamonds in yellow gold, which I do too.
With nothing better to do (aka 'avoiding housework') I decided to look at some designers in Britain and came across Sanyukta Shrestha. I've never heard of her but she has some beautiful designs and I can imagine Meghan wearing any number of them, with revisions of course. I especially liked her Wallis in Love collection. Any thoughts to her in the running as Meghan's designer of choice?
ReplyDeleteJust can't imagine it, from the name alone. Wallis being, of course, the name of Wallis Warfield Simpson, for whom Queen Elizabeth's uncle abdicated the throne. The monarchy was in crisis. Wallis W-S was also a divorced American. She was the last American who married into the royal family - as that was such a disaster, any reminders this time around are best avoided.
Deletelol. “aka avoiding housework”. Uh, I can’t relate. 😉
DeleteYes, my first thought, when I saw the collection title, was 'oh dear, what an unfortunate choice of name' but the dresses are lovely and have that 1930's look. The era had a relaxed but elegant vibe that would look very nice for a more mature, second wedding bride like Meghan. If not that particular designer, perhaps one with a similar esthetic.
DeleteAesthetic wise I think MM might have a close look at Victoria’s dress. It clear and minimalist lines were very unusual then but have since become very popular.
ReplyDeleteBoho is also a style I think she likes but I believe she won’t go that direction. It would be a clash with the church in my eyes. And to be honest I think it is a style better suited for younger brides (under thirty) because their more youthful skin and expression (sad fact for most women including me) just give those gowns what they need.
Kate and Victoria have been the only “recent” royal brides who started a new trend in wedding dresses. Victoria with her minimalist gown and Kate with the long arm and lace. All the others were beautiful but didn’t bring this big surprise. They stayed in what was already popular. I look forward to what will MM do and if it will influence the mainstream taste as well.
Would love to see her in the Cartier Halo Tiara as well. Many disliked it but I truly loved it. It’s a great size for royal to be and has some modern features.
Designer wise I have really no clue to what route she is taking. Honouring her new country and its people and craftsmanship or choosing a Canadian designer as nod to her last home? I fear an US Designer could be seen as too Hollywood and she would be heavily criticised (sad but I sure true) but if they would do a stunning job as for Princess Grace even the most critical people might get over it. The rules are different for the heirs than for their siblings. So her choice will definitely be more open than Kate’s.
From your list Grace’s and Margret’s dress are my absolute favourites. Kate’s a solid runners up. The Queen’s dress is not my taste but still nice enough. Diana’s is just too much of everything. To much puff, too much fabric, too much train, too much frill, too much veil... It is very interesting what styles were able to stay popular or have been able to come back. The 80s and 90s though can just stay far far away!
It would be amusing if a US designer was seen as too Hollywood seeing as celebrities are more likely to pull from the French for major events like these.
DeleteSince Meghan mentioned she liked Caroline Kennedy's wedding gown I have thought she would go with a sleek satin gown with maybe a lace train added at the waist and coming around to the front slightly on both sides to make it more regal and worthy of a royal wedding. I do think she should have her shoulders covered. In May, she could go with sleeveless like Pippa did. I am not expecting a full skirt.
ReplyDeleteOkay, I'll say it 😊 ... I liked all of the elements of Kate's dress, but looking at the back of it in the photo here, what a pity that she did not wear her hair up. I love the details!
ReplyDeleteRegarding Sara's dress, well, I cannot imagine it being an inspiration to reach out to Ms. Burton. Sorry, but just no.
I like the bodice of Grace's dress, but the skirt not so much.
I cannot even imagine Meghan wearing anything with lace or too big of a skirt. My guess is that she would prefer wearing something like Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy, but that would be too simple for a royal wedding. So my guess is that it will be something plainer like Victoria of Sweden or Margret.
ReplyDeleteI love all of these gowns, especially the Queen's. I can't understand how Kate would have been inspired by Sarah Buys' gown to choose McQueen. Sarah is lovely but that gown--not so much. One of my all time favorites though is Sarah Ferguson's. As to Meghan, I can't see her going with anything other than simple and sleek. No anchors, bees, or thistles for this girl.
ReplyDeleteI just read that Camilla had Meghan to Clarence House for some wise counsel. "Sources" say Meghan is already feeling too constrained by the Kensington Palace court. I'm sure that Harry warned her and that she thought she was different and could handle it but the poor girl is going to have a rough time of it. Who wouldn't? I wouldn't trade places with her for all the jewels in Christendom. I would like being in Kate's position even less. My best wishes to both of them. Thanks for this fun post!
I wouldn't believe everything you read in the media. Actually, scrap that. I wouldn't believe anything you read in the media.
DeleteI read it and thought it had PR written all over it, courtesy of CH. Harry knows better and, now, so does Meghan.
DeleteThat same thing was done right before Kate’s wedding. Remember that, rf. The media playing up the comraderie aspect.
DeleteYes, SG, and I believe the true reality has served as an additional reference for Harry and Meghan.
Deleteyep. :)
Delete🌸 Again, for all of the many of you here who have been saying Meghan will or needs to stay with a simple (Meghan) aesthetic, take a quick look see at Provonia’s ”Raigal”. It is a “drop the mic” type gown. (Just type in Provonia Raigal.)
ReplyDeleteIt is the gown I would hope she would wear. Definitely the essence of her style I think.
In my humble opinion. :)
Wow, that is a gorgeous gown, very Meghanesque. I hope she has chosen exactly that version! Love the elegant simplicity. Sort of a CBK look, but appropriate for the world stage. Good luck, Surfer Girl!
DeleteSG, this looks perfect for her! Very CBK, but better for the larger, more formal venue. I hope it is all ready being fitted and altered with some personal flourishes.
DeleteYes, that's amazing!
DeleteGreat choice, surfer girl!
DeleteOh, this is perfect! Great find, surfer girl.
Delete🌸 :). An anon “brought it” to DKB, btw. And I am so thankful they did. I love that gown too. :)
DeleteMy money is on something slim fitting, elegant, simple - remember Pippa's bridesmaid dress for Kate? But with an embellished train. Off the shoulders, but possibly with sleeves, and a simple veil.
ReplyDeletePrincess Grace and the Duchess of Cambridge are my favorites. I’ll wait, for May 19th, to be surprised by Ms Markle. Thanks, Charlotte. Really, really enjoyed this post and all things historical.
ReplyDeleteMine, too :) Grace & Kate’s dresses were both delicate & graceful, yet had quite a bit of structure in the skirt.
DeleteHello, Charlotte. I re-commented today. My previous comment did not show. I just wanted to make you aware. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteIn the photo of Kate in the hallway (a gorgeous shot!), I just noticed Harry behind her, ostensibly involved in a conversation but his eyes are on the bride, and I can just imagine him thinking how lucky William is to have found her and perhaps wondering what his own future will bring...well now we know! He is equally fortunate to have met his soul mate.
ReplyDeleteThanks for this Charlotte - lovely to see the history of these gowns and their influence on bridal fashion over the years.
ReplyDeleteAll exquisite in their own way - Diana’s doesn’t date well but I can well remember the wow moment she gets out of the carriage - creases and all which made her more vulnerable and endearing I guess - then that sparkling walk up the aisle. My favourite is still Princess Margaret’s - a simple classic and stunningly understated dress ( if I’m not too much mistaken the dress was used as inspiration for Julie Andrews (Maria’s) wedding dress in Sound of Music - another classic gown and veil in my opinion!
I think meghan will maybe go down this simple structured route without any lace and little embroidery - lots of clean crisp lines and edges to stand her apart from the previous royal ladies and I think she’ll let her focus be on a headress ( hopefully a tiara) and simple huge veil. Something simple like Miranda Kerr’s wedding dress designed by Dior.
Also to consider would be the many steps of the Chapel and also inside - so something soft and lots of draped fabric maybe too much of a handful to lift up ( watch how Sophie’s dress is a bit of a struggle). The wind on the Chapel steps also seems to catch a lot of brides out - so again a dress that has a bit of weight to it would be better suited.
I think she’ll have a change of frock in the evening which will provide a better / less restricted option of dress ( maybe a bit slinkier).
I still look at Catherine’s evening dress for her wedding and shudder that McQueen could make a basic white dress look fairly cheap and homemade ( the fury cardigan didn’t help) and I think it’s still one of her worst looks.
But very excited to see Meghan on the big day - I imagine she will look stunning 👑
Very nice point about the chapel steps, Mr D! I love your reference to Miranda Kerr's Dior gown -- she looked simply spectacular! Would we call her headpiece a Juliet cap? MK also sought inspiration from Grace Kelly's gown. Divine!
DeleteI agree with you, Meghan will look stunning on her big day!
Hmm i think they something special i would love too see the her gown yes ill be surpise when she arrive st st george chapel
ReplyDeleteHas anyone considered that maybe she'll go with Stella McCartney? British & would suit her style :)
ReplyDeleteMy bet is on Stella to be honest. Stella seems to be laying low.
DeleteThat’s an interesting thought!
DeleteI´ve suggested that not so long ago - Stella´s half American, half British, that would be a nice "nod to both countries", right? ;-))
Deleteread that kate changed into a second, much simpler gown for at least the second/evening reception; maybe meghan will consider that too. nothing like the beautiful but rather childish gown of diana.
ReplyDeleteover all, i think meghan's look will be fairly simple, as that is the way she generally dresses, but will have some lovely detail work.
only with 1 dress, do i remember meghan ever wearing lace, so i am skipping lace for her gown. the only possible lace would be on the bottom of her veil, which will fall about her breast but longer in the back.
i see an a-line satin gown, actually an underskirt, with a somewhat fuller [but not enormous], removable overskirt also of satin with floral embroidery & some seed pearls toward the bottom of the skirt. [this makes walking around at the first reception must easier, more comfortable] the underskirt may also have some embroidery but not nearly as much, enuf to make the skirt individualized.
in keeping with her liking ties on her coats, i am hoping for a large satin tie at her waist.
the satin bodice will have a scooped neck with some floral embroidery along the scoop, perhaps with some seed pearls. i'm hoping she will wear the gold HandM necklace that harry gave her last year. sleeves will be 3/4 length, with some delicate embroidery down them and around the end.
her train will be far shorter than kate's, embroidered with their initials H and M largely, clearly, intertwined.
while she must have the myrtle twig in her bouquet, based on px of flowers in her toronto home, the predominant flowers will be her favorite, peonies, along with some roses & baby breath. if harry has a favorite flower, i imagine her incorporating it into the bouquet.
her shoes will be heavily embroidered satin, matching the gown.
in keeping with her preference for delicate jewelry, i would like to see her wear the birk diamond snowflake jacket earrings she has worn before.
ok...how much of this will be right, how much wrong.
I pretty much agree with your estimation; sounds like a dream! :)
DeleteI think Meghan will avoid lace as Kate and Pippa both had lace dresses and I think Meghan will want a different look. I think something sleek, fitted but covered up will be what she will go with. On another note, Kate and Sofie are hosting a fashion event in Buckingham Palace this evening,Meghan does not appear to be there. I would have thought it would have been a nice event for her to attend with her future in laws. Almost a girls bonding event. Sinead
ReplyDelete🌸 Sinead. I had the same thought. What a sweet gesture of support and friendship that would have been. Maybe Kate wanted to start out with one first as that is a new thing sort of. Maybe next time. :)
DeleteI thought that Meghan would be PERFECT for this event and perhaps that is why she didn't go, if she was invited. I read that Beatrice was there (also in Erdem) ad I wanted to see her dress but I cannot get a photo to come up of her. I am now thinking Stella McCartney has a good chance of landing the gown.
DeleteI would love to see colorful flowers, maybe in the chapel. I certainly wish "we" knew someone who is invited to the receptions!!
As much as we would’ve loved to have seen her we have to keep in mind she’s not officially apart of the family yet! I don’t think she’s allowed to attend royal events without Harry since she’s not officially in the family.
DeleteMaybe Meghan is not in the UK, that did occur to me, she might be visiting her Mom. Harry has been out and about on his own. It just seemed like a nice event for her to attend and it would be lovely to see her with Kate and Sophie. Sinead
DeleteI don't think she would do anything like Carolyn Bessette. A dress like that would be perfect for the evening wedding reception. I think she would need a dress that fills up the Chapel. You want to be seen coming and going. A dress that is slim fitting would be lost in the scenery. She can always opt for something simple during the after wedding events. And hopefully they will release some pictures of that gown.
ReplyDeleteI have liked Kate’s the best since her very wedding day. The day Kate ruled was on her wedding day, which also defined and reflected some qualities about her. She and her look blended in some aura of a highly valued and complete vision. The dress itself, pleasantly transparent veil, the quality of the lace accentuating her slim arms, the waist line and especially the back, the proportion of the veil, the train and her bouquet, and the accessories of jewelry were all in a marvelously beautiful balance. I think she enhanced everything in how she carried the whole process. The complete dress and veil as a display also looks nice. The one time it looked less extraordinary was after the corset was taken out, and it looked flat. (The details and proportion of the entire look still seemed vividly balanced).
ReplyDeletePrincess Grace’s is outstandingly marvelous, but the dress although the cut looks beautiful ( may be the right thing for her own time and choice), I don’t know why it was plain in proportion to the elegantly elaborated look from the waist up, the veil, the train, the hat and everything else.
Princess Elizabeth’s, if you see it coordinated with her brides maids; it makes a complete statement for her wedding of a certain time and value. It is a post war bridal theme from the late 40s of a future queen. It must hold a lot of sentiment for a lot of people. Her body was fully covered, conservative times and occasion. It is a dignified form appreciated in its own era which style may go through a revolving door (fashion leaves and comes around; there is something classic about it even for other cultures).
Princess Margret: People who appreciate sophisticated art simplified may like it. It looks good for its own sake.
Princess Diana: She was the everything there, the unassuming young bride with a beautiful tiara and the outstandingly longest train, may be in bridal history. The designers did a disservice to a young and trusting bride in their selection of the material for the dress (it had to do more than Diana having to sit in a cramped up carriage / as they regretted later on). They were young and may be not totally experienced themselves. Over all the size of everything, even as large as it was, looked reasonably proportional.
Meghan: Meghan may pick something which reflects the millennium, the couple’s relationship, her own identity, and blend it with PH input, and observe some protocol for the final look.
I still love the Pronovias that someone posted here a few weeks ago -- with long sleeves, high neck asymetrical top -- the dipped side is decorated with some sparkly, no lace, heavy draped fabric. As an inspiration, it has a lot of Meghan style. It has a touch of the medieval mixed with modern. I thought Kate's was nice (did not blow me away), but I very much appreciated that the long lace sleeves come back to mainstream wedding dresses (any long sleeves really)due to her choice. And I liked the bustle. Meghan would be foolish to tempt comparisons (that are probably inevitable). So I hope she goes classic, chic, but without too much foof.
ReplyDeleteBy the way, I got my H/M porcelain from William Edwards. The pieces are gorgeous. It turns out that I will be away from home on wedding day, so I won't get to drink my wedding beverage from the mug on the day. I will raise a toast from it to those crazy kids when I get home!!!!
What if Meghan’s look will incorporate something gold and/or golden (because Harry said, she likes gold) with crystal and/or diamonds. May be the veil and /or train edged in crisp golden highlights, or the jewelry accessory, a touch of lite yellow and white peonies flowers in her bouquet ( her favorite flowers), or state flower of California in yellow along with UK’s symbolic flowers. If she will not go 100% bridal white in everything as a second marriage for her, she will get away with it, and still have the veil, train, and the works. I hope she will symbolize her overall wedding look in a way that it will make a meaningfuly endearing message for the ages. This is his first wedding and hers on world stage. MM needs trustworthy astute stylists who have keen global awareness, and also look out for her best interest.
ReplyDeleteI've been thinking what Meghan could wear and my thoughts are as such:
ReplyDeleteFor the reception- a wedding jumpsuit...I could see her in something like that
For the wedding- body fitting dress (mermaid shaped to show off her figure) with a veil worn like a cape or draped material attached at the shoulders or falling off of the dress at back (don't know what that is called- but a modern take on veils)...I could see her wearing a tiara as a tiara or wearing it flat in her hair or wearing flowers or a brooch...
These are my guesses...wanted to write it down ...will wait & see
WHAT A GREAT post Charlotte I cannot wait to see Meghan's dress. I will cry when she walks down the aisle with her dad to Harry. Seeing diana and beautiful princess grace makes me miss them
ReplyDeleteMy fave dress of all you posted is Kate's
I know whatever dress meghan pics will be beautiful
Very lovely selections, indeed. Of all the gowns, Diana's is definitely over the top. Although, as a 10 year old in 1981, I was head over heels in love with her fairy princess look. :)
ReplyDeleteOh, I LOVE IT!! HM The Queen at London Fashion Week - front row, next to no other than Anna Wintour!!! This is AMAZING! HM herself being oh-so-chic-and-stylish (especially the day before at her visit to the Royal College of Physicians!!!), watching the collections with really KEEN interest - priceless!!! Watch the videos (Rebecca English Twitter) - a penny for her thoughts!!! LOL! She is one-of-a-kind, she really is.... I would have loved to see Meghan there as well, I´m SURE those two would have had a very interesting conversation about what they were seeing... :-)))))
ReplyDeleteHer Majesty is amazing!!
Delete🌸 She is one of a kind. An amazing woman of faith, humor, and goodwill. 👑
ReplyDeleteYes, Eve and Eugenie: she is just incredible!! :)
ReplyDeleteI had not known how incredible the Queen is until the past few years. I always admired her for her work during WWII, but I did not know how warm, funny, caring, etc she was until her later years. I can't imagine life without her.
ReplyDeleteAllison, Google " the lighter side of Queen Elizabeth II YouTube" :-)
ReplyDeleteI still love the WOW moment in Princess Di's dress! I am thinking "...with everything Harry's thoughtfulness..." ~MM engagement Interview; would Meghan consider an updated version of that gown?
ReplyDeleteDon't know about Meghan, but as a strawberry blond man I just bought this for my Royal Wedding party... you think I can get away with it? https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07C1CCLZG
ReplyDeleteDon't know about Meghan, but as a strawberry blond man I just bought this for my Royal Wedding party... you think I can get away with it? https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07C1CCLZG
ReplyDelete