The royal weddings have always been the dream of millions of women growing up. Dreamy settings that inevitably remind us of the happy endings that we would usually see in a fairytale. Romance apart, what we truly look forward too are the royal wedding dresses, they’re the object of expectations and admirations, as well as being a source of inspiration for any future brides. If on one end, they have an important aesthetic value, on the other end they’re symbols, with details and special embroideries, that honour the couple, their families and their origins.
We’re talking about the wedding between Queen Elizabeth II with Prince Philip that put an end to an era and started a new one. The ceremony, that took place in 1947, brought back joy and celebration to England, heartening the population after the tragedy of the Second World War. It was commissioned to the couturier Norman Hartnel a rich embroidery all over the satin dress, that depicted lilies and orange flowers inspired by La Primavera of Botticelli. According to the Victorian dictionary on the language of the flowers, The Language of Flowers by Kate Greenaway (1884), these flowers represent rebirth.
We still have heart-shaped eyes for the amazing satin dress in ivory and white, with sleeves and corset made in lace, designed by Sarah Burton (the designer behind Alexander McQueen) for Kate Middleton. Inspired by Grace Kelly’s wedding dress, features embroideries of roses, thistles and clovers that symbolize England, Scotland and Ireland, the three nations that are part of the United Kingdom.
Meghan Markle’s Givenchy dress was made by putting a lot on emphasis to celebrate the country of her groom, Prince Harry, on the long veil in silk tulle. The edges are embroidered with a floral motif that portrays 54 different types of flowers that represent the 53 countries part of the Commonwealth (plus the Californian poppy, where Meghan is from). Also, following the traditions that the bride should wear something blue on the day of her wedding, the ex-Duchess of Sussex did sew on the dress a piece of fabric that dates back to her first date with Harry.
Meghan Markle’s Givenchy dress was made by putting a lot on emphasis to celebrate the country of her groom, Prince Harry, on the long veil in silk tulle. The edges are embroidered with a floral motif that portrays 54 different types of flowers that represent the 53 countries part of the Commonwealth (plus the Californian poppy, where Meghan is from). Also, following the traditions that the bride should wear something blue on the day of her wedding, the ex-Duchess of Sussex did sew on the dress a piece of fabric that dates back to her first date with Harry.
Princess Eugene of York, daughter of Andrea, Duke of York, for her wedding chose a beautiful dress designed by Peter Pilotto. Made with a jacquard weave made in Italy, in Como, the dress has a detail that takes the attention, the V neckline on the back, that shows the scar result of an operation for fixing the Princess’ scoliosis. An important message for body positivity that invites every woman to love and embrace what the world consider flaws, but that are parts of us.
Lastly, Letizia Ortiz, that married Felipe of Spain, in a beautiful dress created by the designer Manuel Pertegaz, chosen after following the advice of Queen Sofia. Made to celebrate Felipe and the Royal Family, the skirt, the neckline and the long veil wore by Letizia were enriched by a delicate embroidery made with silver linings, inspired by the outlines of the Bourbon lily, arms of the Bourbons of Spain and the House of Capet.
Lastly, Letizia Ortiz, that married Felipe of Spain, in a beautiful dress created by the designer Manuel Pertegaz, chosen after following the advice of Queen Sofia. Made to celebrate Felipe and the Royal Family, the skirt, the neckline and the long veil wore by Letizia were enriched by a delicate embroidery made with silver linings, inspired by the outlines of the Bourbon lily, arms of the Bourbons of Spain and the House of Capet.
It’s not royal but definitely symbolic, the wedding dress of Angelina Jolie. Designed by Atelier Versace, the dress was embroidered by the master tailor of the Maison, Luigi Massi, and the veil and the back of the skirt were decorated with the drawings made by the six children of the actresses, Maddox, 13, Pax, 10, Zahara, 9, Shiloh, 8, Vivienne e Knox, 6.
Or the one wore by the top model Hailey Baldwin. The long mermaid dress, embellished with lace and pearls, and feature an amazing veil train with “TILL DEATH DO US PART” embroidered at the end using the distinctive trademark of the designer Virgil Abloh.
We can’t forget about the beautiful gesture made by the iconic brand Pronovias, that donated thousands of wedding dresses to all the nurses and doctors, that will soon go to the altar, and that are fighting against the COVID-19 global pandemic, with the “Heroes Collection“.
