Watching the Royals

Soon we will have the pleasure of watching another royal wedding. For me, an avid royal watcher, it will be a major eye candy event. Not only drooling over the sure-to-be exquisite wedding ensemble but the guests and their oh so royal millinery treats. For this blog I thought I would take a quick trip down memory lane to view some of my favorite royal weddings.

Norman Hartnell (1901-1979), known as the Master of the Royal Wardrobe, designed for the Royal Family throughout most of his career, starting in 1934 with Lady Alice Montagu-Douglas-Scott. His most famous commission was the wedding dress of then Princess Elizabeth and shortly afterwards her Coronation Dress. He continued to design for Queen Elizabeth until his death in 1979.

Princess Elizabeth’s 1947 wedding gown was styled with a sweetheart neckline, folding full skirt embroidered with 10,000 seed pearls and thousands of crystal beads in garlands of lilies and white York roses as was her train.

Princess Margaret Rose of York, later to be titled Countess of Snowdon, was in my opinion, one of the most sophisticated, fashionable women of her time, always looking distinguished and elegant. Her first marriage was on May 6, 1960 to Antony Armstrong-Jones and of course her wedding gown was designed by Norman Hartnell. Styling was simple due to her petite frame, without embroidery, lace or over the top embellishments. Hartnell created one of the most beautiful wedding gowns and it was worn to perfection by one of the most beautiful women of the 60s. The Poltimore tiara she wore was created by Garrards in 1870. In 2006 it was sold at auction for $1.7 million.

Due to her lack of fashion interest, Princess Anne has never been given proper credit for being one of the hardest-working members of the Royal Family. She does work for approximately 200 charities and organizations, and makes at least 600 appearances per year.

In 1973 Princess Anne made a most exquisite bride, marrying Mark Phillips. Hartness designed an embroidered Tudor style gown, high collar with mediaeval sleeves, made of white silk and pintucked to show off her tiny waist.

Of course there’s not much I can say about Princess Diana’s wedding gown that hasn’t been said a thousand times. So I’ll end this blog with a single picture of the People’s Princess.

Next time the fashions of Wallis Simpson.....