The most iconic royal wedding dresses of all time

As described by Queen Victoria in her journal, the wedding dress was “a white satin dress, with a deep flounce of Honiton lace, an imitation of an old design.”

She further explains, “My jewels were my Turkish diamond necklace & earrings & dear Albert’s beautiful sapphire brooch.”

The lace used in the dress was designed by William Dyce, head of the then Government School of Design, and was then attached to the white satin dress, which was designed by Mary Bettans.

She was one of the first women to wear white for their wedding, and she is often credited as starting this particular bridal fashion trend.

A union that sparked controversy and forever changed the line of succession, Wallis Simpson’s wedding to Prince Edward VIII in 1937 was anything but conventional.

She steered away from tradition and wore a simple blue silk dress, adorned in delicate buttons and gathered at the waist. The dress has been on display at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York since 1950, but has unfortunately faded over the years and looks more cream in colour.

When Princess Elizabeth (the future Queen Elizabeth II) married Philip Mountbatten (the future Duke of Edinburgh) on November 20, 1947, she wore a beautiful satin Norman Hartnell gown. The post-WWII rationing of clothing was still in effect in the United Kingdom, so the Princess had to purchase the material for the dress with ration coupons.

The Chinese silk dress was designed in Hartnell’s signature embroidery style, with a high neckline, tailored bodice and short train. After her wedding day, the dress was put on display at St James’s Palace for a time, before being toured around the United Kingdom.

American actress Grace Kelly married Prince Rainier of Monaco on April 19th, 1956 and her royal wedding dress is probably one of the most recognisable dresses in history.

Noted as one of the most elegant and referenced in countless royal wedding dress designs since, MGM’s Helen Rose designed the iconic high-necked, long-sleeved gown that consisted of a fitted bodice and voluminous skirt.

To pair with the gown, she also wore a custom headdress, veil, and shoes, and carried a matching lace- and pearl-encrusted prayer book down the aisle.

Princess Margaret wore a custom Norman Hartnell, silk organza gown for her wedding to photographer Antony Armstrong-Jones.

Made by the same designer that created her sister, Queen Elizabeth II’s wedding dress in 1947, Margaret’s dress was celebrated for its elegance and simplicity.

Now, the dress is a part of a royal wedding dress display at Kensington Palace in London.

Princess Diana’s 1981 wedding gown has become one of the most famous wedding dresses of all time. Made of ivory silk taffeta and antique lace, the David and Elizabeth Emanuel designed gown boasted a seven metre train and a 140 metre tulle veil. The large puffed sleeves, dramatic veil and full skirt set the tone for wedding dress trends in the ’80s.

In 2018, Time magazine deemed the dress as one of the “Most Influential British Royal Wedding Dresses of All Time”, and it has since been on display at Kensington Palace as a part of a royal style exhibition.

Danish designer Uffe Frank created Queen Mary’s beautiful ivory duchesse satin gown with a detachable six metre-long train, so she could convert the ensemble into a chic, yet comfortable post-ceremony look.

The dress was paired with Crown Princess Margaret of Sweden’s veil, a family heirloom, and a tiara gifted by her new mother- and father- in law.

Princess Catherine’s 2011 wedding dress is arguably the most recognisable royal wedding dress of the modern era. In a nod to British fashion, English designer Sarah Burton, creative director of the luxury fashion house Alexander McQueen, was given the task of designing the royal wedding gown.

It was said that Catherine was looking for something that combined modernity and tradition, and she worked directly with Sarah to design the dress.

The ivory satin bodice of the gown incorporated lace floral motifs, with the long, full skirt designed to resemble an opening flower. The bridal train measured 2.7 metres long, and her nod to ‘something blue’ was a blue ribbon sewn on the inside of the dress.

Princess Eugenie’s wedding dress captivated with its elegance and timeless beauty. Designed by Peter Pilotto and Christopher De Vos of British-based fashion label Peter Pilotto, the gown featured a fitted bodice, low back, and full flowing skirt.

The intricate construction included a bespoke blend of silk, cotton, and viscose, and a wide neckline that gracefully framed her shoulders, baring a scar from scoliosis surgery she had when she was 12. This was a deliberate decision by the bride, as she wanted to confidently share her scars with the world.

Princess Beatrice’s wedding dress radiated a sense of refined simplicity and understated elegance. Designed by Sir Norman Hartnell, the vintage gown was a poignant tribute to her grandmother, Queen Elizabeth II, as it was borrowed from the Queen’s own collection.

The ivory silk taffeta dress featured a flattering bodice, embellished with intricate hand-embroidered detailing, and puffed sleeves that added a touch of romantic whimsy. The classic silhouette was complemented by a delicate diamond tiara, also borrowed from the Queen, completing the ensemble with a regal flourish.