Wedding dresses of royal brides over time

Whether they’re marrying a prince or becoming a princess, queen or duchess themselves, royal women are always treated to a fairytale ceremony. Royal weddings have a way of captivating viewers, fascinated by the rigorous protocol and the grandiose side of the event. For a few hours, all eyes are on the couple exchanging vows and wedding rings. The groom, if he comes from the elite, often wears an official uniform, with decorations and headgear. The bride is always in white.

Custom dictates that she honor her country and the talents it harbors by choosing a compatriot to imagine the dress of her dreams. Thus Queen Elizabeth II and her sister Margaret had both requested the services of Norman Hartnell, Alexandra Manley, to marry Prince Joachim of Denmark wore a creation by the Dane Jørgen Bender, the daughter of the King of Spain Juan Carlos called on the stylist Spanish Lorenzo Caprile and Princess Mathilde, now Queen of Belgium, opted for an Édouard Vermeulen dress. Other crowned heads have chosen luxury.

Designer dresses

Some houses are very popular with royal brides. This is the case of Valentino, who dressed the French actress Clotilde Courau for her wedding to the Prince of Venice (the dress had to be adjusted at the last minute because she was six months pregnant), Maxima from the Netherlands or again Madeleine of Sweden. Armani found success on the Rock, with Charlene of Monaco and Beatrice Borromeo. Chanel for Charlotte Casiraghi’s civil union, Dior for Elizabeth Halaby and Givenchy for Meghan Markle: luxury has its clients. And this is not a recent fad: in 1960, Fabiola from Belgium opted for an opulent dress by Cristóbal Balenciaga, trimmed with white ermine fur.

Pieces that have become myths

Some wedding dresses have far exceeded their one-day function, making history, making an indelible mark on people’s minds. This is the case of Lady Diana’s dress, very puffy and a little wrinkled, with its eight meters of train, or that of Kate Middleton, designed by Sarah Burton for Alexander McQueen. That of Grace Kelly, too, who instead of a renowned designer had called on the head costume designer of the American MGM studios. Perhaps the popularity of the dresses is proportional to that of the bride who wears them, but each time they are the subject of special attention. After all, nothing is left to chance to make history, and even less so in royalty.