Hidden Details On Princess Eugenie’s Wedding Dress
Published on October 12, 2018. Updated March 10, 2020Princess Eugenie’s wedding day has finally arrived and with that comes the moment everyone has been waiting for — the reveal of her Royal wedding dress! The bridal looks worn by the royal family often have a direct correlation with the wedding trends to follow for brides worldwide. Princess Eugenie’s dress was surprisingly simple, but that doesn’t mean it lacked detail. Follow along for hidden details you likely didn’t know about Princess Eugenie’s wedding dress:
11. She wanted to show her scar
One of Princess Eugenie’s priorities when selecting her wedding dress was ensuring that her scar was on full display. Princess Eugenie underwent surgery on her back at 12-years old to correct her scoliosis which left her with a large scar trailing down her spine. “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.
Doug Peters/EMPICS10. Designed by British-based label Peter Pilotto
The dress was designed by Peter Pilotto and Christopher De Vos of the British-based label Peter Pilotto. The fashion label was established in London in 2007 and the duo currently operates from their studio in East London. “The brand is known for its innovative textile design, paired with a modern feminine silhouette,” according to BBC news.
EPA/NEIL HALL9. The designers used past royal weddings as inspiration
When designing the dress, Pilotto and De Vos undertook archival research into dresses worn by previous royal brides for inspiration and to identify a silhouette. Royal brides are typically quite conservative and there are many rules of dressing etiquette that must be followed on the big day. Much like the Duchess of Sussex, Princess Eugenie opted for an off-the-shoulder shape and long sleeves. As a nod to her mother the Princess of York, the dress featured a nearly off-the-shoulder neckline and low back.
Press Association8. The fabric was designed with underlying motifs in mind
Every detail is deliberated carefully upon when it comes to royal wedding dresses and Princess Eugenie’s gown was no exception! The designers incorporated significant motifs about the couple’s life and history into the fabric of the dress. The dress featured a thistle which represented Scotland and the couple’s fondness for Balmoral, the Royal Family’s holiday home. The dress also incorporated a shamrock which represents Ireland and is a nod to the bride’s Ferguson family. The York Rose and ivy motifs were intended to represent the couple’s home.
EPA/NEIL HALL7. The motifs were reinterpreted in a garland of rope
Since these symbols were so important to the bride and her family on the big day, the Peter Pilotto decided to reinterpret them into the fabric when designing the dress. They did so by translating the symbols into a “garland of rope-like motifs, woven into a jacquard of silk, cotton and viscose blend.” Once the artwork was complete, it was sent to the Como region of Italy to be translated into a jacquard weave. “The result is a very modern looking fabric using a highly intricate weaving technique,” the official Royal website explained.
EPA/NEIL HALL6. The dress was developed layer-by-layer
The dress was developed over a series of several fittings and was designed in layers. The designers began by designing the corset and intricate underskirt before moving on and designing the fitted bodice and full pleated skirt. They then worked on the neckline which folded around the shoulders and featured a low back that draped into a full-length train.
EPA/NEIL HALL5. She wore the Greville Emerald Kokoshnik tiara
A true standout of Princess Eugenie’s wedding ensemble is her emerald tiara! Rarely do brides opt for color on their big day, so we loved that Eugenie did something new and refreshing. The crown she wore was the Greville Emerald Kokoshnik Tiara which was lent to her by Her Majesty The Queen. The tiara was made in 1919 by Boucheron for Mrs. Greville and was then bequeathed by Mrs. Greville to Queen Elizabeth in 1942. The crown is designed in the ‘kokoshnik’ style which was popularised in the Russian Imperial Court. It features brilliant and rose cut diamonds pavé set in platinum, with six emeralds on either side.
Doug Peters/EMPICS4. Her earrings were a wedding gift from the groom
The bride wore a pair of drop-style earrings that matched with the emerald details of her crown on the big day. The diamond and emerald drop-earrings were gifted from the groom, Jack Brooksbank, as Princess Eugenie’s official wedding gift.
Doug Peters/EMPICS3. Her wedding shoes are from Charlotte Olympia
Although her shoes were scantly seen or pictured on Princess Eugenie’s big Royal wedding day, the official Royal website disclosed that they were designed by Charlotte Olympia and were a peep-toe satin shoe.
Steve Parsons, Pool via AP2. Her bouquet followed tradition and featured a sprig of myrtle
Her bouquet was created by floral designer Rob Van Helden’s sister, Patrice Van Helden Oakes. It features Lily of the Valley, Stephanotis pips, hints of baby blue thistles, white spray roses, and trailing ivy. One important floral tradition that Princess Eugenie followed is that all Royal brides must incorporate a sprig of myrtle into their bouquet. “The tradition of carrying myrtle began after Queen Victoria was given a nosegay containing myrtle by Prince Albert’s grandmother during a visit to Gotha in Germany. In the same year, Queen Victoria and Prince Albert bought Osborne House as a family retreat, and a sprig from the posy was planted against the terrace walls, where it continues to thrive today,” the official Royal website disclosed of the tradition.
EPA/NEIL HALL1. Princess Eugenie skipped on a veil
Perhaps the biggest shock of Princess Eugenie’s wedding look was her decision to pass on wearing a veil. Despite being quite modern brides, both Kate Middleton and Meghan Markle followed this bridal tradition and wore quite dramatic veils on their own big day. This decision by Princess Eugenie to skip on a veil was to ensure the low-back of her dress and surgery scars were on full display for the entire service.
Doug Peters/EMPICS