Iconic Royal Wedding Dresses
Published on October 12, 2018. Updated April 14, 2020The royal weddings are some of the most iconic of all time, with thousands attending and millions tuning in from their television screens. Although the entire event is quite exciting, the most anticipated moment is arguably when the bride steps out for her fairytale debut in an enchanting white gown. From Kate Middleton to Grace Kelly, follow along for 16 of the most iconic royal wedding dresses of all time:
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16. Princess Eugenie — 2018
Princess Eugenie wed Jack Brooksbank on October 12, 2018, and her wedding look definitely surprised many tuning in to watch! Eugenie made a statement by opting for a dress with a dramatic low cut back and skipping on a veil. She did this to allow a large surgery scar trailing down her back to be on full display. Her goal was to set a new standard when it comes to beauty and perfection, even when it comes to a royal wedding! “I think you can change the way beauty is, and you can show people your scars and I think it’s really special to stand up for that,” she told ITV ahead of the wedding.
EPA/NEIL HALL15. Camilla Parker Bowles & Prince Charles — 2005
Prince Charles and Camilla Parker Bowles had a tumultuous past after rumors of infidelity swirled while Charles was married to Lady Diana. The two did, however, receive their happily ever after and eventually married in 2005. Rather than a traditional wedding dress, Camilla instead wore an embellished golden damask dress designed by Robinson Valentine which was reportedly inspired by a piece of her mother’s jewelry.
Credit Hugo Burnand14. Princess Margaret & Antony Armstrong Jones — 1960
The wedding of Princess Margaret and Anthony Armstrong-Jones was the first ever televised ceremony with over 300 million viewers tuning in, which definitely marks Margaret’s dress as one of the most iconic. The dress was made of a white silk organza without a stitch insight and featured a tulle veil. She wore quite a dramatic tiara, which was the Poltimore tiara and was made in 1870 for Lady Poltimore. The look was quite typical for ’60s fashion with clean lines, a sleek shape and a timeless feel.
Mirrorpix/Courtesy Everett Collection13. Alessandra de Osma & Prince Christian of Hanover — 2017
Former model and lawyer Alessandra de Osma married Prince Christian of Hanover in late 2017. The two had quite the romantic courtship and fell in love when Alessandra was the Prince’s tour guide in Peru. De Osma wore a lace, high-neck gown designed by Jorge Vázquez to the wedding and definitely gave off some Grace Kelly and Kate Middleton vibes with her bridal look. She wore the Hanover Floral Tiara on her head which was previously worn by Princess Caroline of Hanover.
EPA/ERNESTO ARIAS12. Lady Charlotte Wellesley & Alejandro Santo Domingo — 2016
Lady Charlotte Wellesley married financier Alejandro Santo Domingo in Spain back in May 2016. Wellesley wore an Emilia Wickstead bridal gown which featured a dramatic off-the-shoulder neckline and a stunning tulle veil with pearls embellished throughout. She pulled her hair back into an elegant bun, which was the perfect choice to allow the unique neckline of the dress to stand out even further.
Photo by Almagro/ABACAPRESS.COM11. Princess Sofia of Sweden & Prince Carl Philip
Princess Sofia of Sweden and Prince Carl Philip married back in 2015 in Stockholm at the Royal Palace Chapel. Princess Sofia wore a custom-made gown that was likely inspired by Grace Kelly and Kate Middleton’s regal lace wedding gowns. The look was designed by Swedish designer Ida Sjöstedt and featured a dramatic train that required an assistant to carry it behind her as she walked.
Sören Andersson/TT10. Swedish Princess Madeleine & Chris O’Neill
Princess Madeleine and Christopher O’Neill married back in 2013 at the Royal Palace Chapel in Stockholm. Madeleine looked stunning as ever wearing a custom-made gown and veil designed for her by Valentino Garavani. The design followed a common royal dress pattern and featured an elegant lace off-the-shoulder neckline and a simple A-line shape.
Photo by Thierry Orban/ABACAPRESS. COM9. Wallis Simpson & Prince Edward Duke of Windsor
Back in 1937, the Duke and Duchess of Windsor wed in a relatively modest affair that was actually deemed quite controversial at the time. The press wasn’t allowed at the event and the ceremony was intimate and small, which is much different than the royal weddings we’ve come to expect today. Rather than a traditional wedding gown, Wallis Simpson wore a soft blue gown that was made of a light crepe material and featured a tight corset bodice. The iconic gown was designed by Mainbocher and is now kept at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York.
Source: Everett Collection8. Princess Claire of Luxembourg & Prince Felix
Prince Felix of Luxembourg married German sweetheart Claire Lademacher in 2013. The bride wore an intricate Ellie Saab design that was custom-made for her and featured a swirling lace design throughout. According to Hello! Magazine, the dress featured a three-meter-long train and was embroidered in Chantilly lace. Princess Claire topped her look with the Grand Ducal family’s diamond tiara.
Photo by ABACAPRESS.COM7. Princess Charlene & Prince Albert II of Monaco
The wedding of Princess Charlene and Prince Albert II of Monaco is perhaps one of the most memorable because of the claims that were released following the wedding. Allegedly Princess Charlene tried to run away on three separate occasions to escape her arranged marriage to Prince Albert. Charlene seemed quite glum and detached throughout the entire ceremony, but her dress definitely brought some lightness to the occasion. Instead of the typical regal lace gown, Charlene opted to take the minimalist route and wore a custom wedding dress by Armani Prive with an off-the-shoulder neckline and sleek silhouette.
Photo by Charly Gallo/Palais Princier/ABACAPRESS.COM6. Princess Victoria of Sweden & Prince Daniel Westling
Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden and Prince Daniel tied the knot in July 2010 in Stockholm, Sweden. In 2010 the wedding had been described as “Europe’s biggest royal wedding since the Prince of Wales married Lady Diana Spencer in 1981.” Westling acquired Victoria’s title and became the Swedish prince and Duke of Vastergotland. As for Victoria’s dress, she took the sophisticated route and opted for a Par Engsheden design that featured a rounded off-the-shoulder collar.
Fredrik Sandberg / SCANPIX SWEDEN / kod 100805. Meghan Markle & Prince Harry
For her wedding, Meghan Markle wore Givenchy Couture, designed by Claire Wright Keller. The design of the gown was simple and minimal with an open bateau neckline, sculpted waist and three-quarter-length sleeves. The most amazing part of her wedding day ensemble was the cathedral-length style veil, which was made of silk tulle and featured hand-embroidered flowers. To keep the veil in place, she wore the Queen Mary Diamond Bandeau, which features diamonds set in platinum and a center detachable brooch made of ten diamonds.
EPA4. Queen Elizabeth & Prince Mountbatten
Queen Elizabeth’s regal bridal gown was undeniably one of the most influential and shaped the course of wedding dresses for generations going forward. The Norman Hartnell 1947 design coined the bridal trend of wedding dresses with heavy embroidery. The intricate design was actually inspired by a Renaissance painting by Botticelli which incorporated motifs of growth and rebirth following World War II.
Press Association3. Duchess of Cambridge Kate Middleton & Prince William
No one could possibly forget the ethereal lace gown that Kate Middleton wore in 2011 to marry Prince William! Her wedding gown was much anticipated and absolutely delivered with its delicate lace design and flattering V-cut neckline. The custom-creation was designed by Sarah Burton for Alexander McQueen and influenced brides worldwide who hoped to channel Kate Middleton on their own big day and opt for an elegant lace design.
Photo by Tim Rooke / Rex Features2. Lady Diana & Prince Charles of Wales
The late Princess Diana was one of the most beloved royals in the world and is still remembered fondly for her compassion and kindness. Her royal wedding to Prince Charles of Wales is still one of the most buzzed-about royal weddings of all time, which is largely due to the Princess-inspired gown Diana opted to wear. The custom-made dress was designed by David and Elizabeth Emanuel and featured oversized sleeves, a voluminous skirt and a 25-foot train which was one of the longest the world has ever seen.
Photo by Mike Hollist / Daily Mail / Rex Features1. Grace Kelly & Prince Rainer of Monaco
Of all the iconic wedding gowns, Grace Kelly of Monaco’s has got to be one of the most memorable! Kelly made a celebrity-to-royal transition, much like Meghan Markle, which meant the duo had all eyes on them on the big day. Her dress featured a sheer lace bodice and a full skirt, which is one of the most common royal wedding looks to date. Grace Kelly coined the bridal look that would influence generations of brides to come, Kate Middleton included, which makes her wedding look the most iconic royal dress of all time.
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THE WEDDING IN MONACO, Grace Kelly, 1956
