--- description: From Queen Victoria to Kate Middleton, here's a look at the most influential British royal wedding dresses of all time. title: 12 of the Most Influential British Royal Wedding Dresses of All Time image: https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/blt5242caf2dc80f915/69892f477cdbac7bcbd5cbfb/british-royal-wedding-dresses.jpg?branch=production&width=3840&quality=75&auto=webp&crop=16:9 ---  * [Newsfeed](/tag/time-section-newsfeed/) ## Newsfeed Update your preferences in [Account Settings](/account/preferences/) Close # The 12 Most Influential British Royal Wedding Dresses of All Time  by [Cady Lang](/author/cady-lang/)  ## Cady Lang Update your preferences in [Account Settings](/account/preferences/) Close May 1, 2018 8:42 PM CUT  Getty Images (3)  by [Cady Lang](/author/cady-lang/)  ## Cady Lang Update your preferences in [Account Settings](/account/preferences/) Close May 1, 2018 8:42 PM CUT When [Meghan Markle](http://time.com/4694568/meghan-markle-period-stigma/ "undefined") ties the knot with Prince Harry this May with their [highly anticipated royal wedding](http://time.com/5039393/royal-wedding-2018-details/ "undefined") at St. George’s Chapel, she’ll also be revealing something that’s been a point of intrigue since the couple announced their engagement last year: [her royal wedding dress](http://time.com/5062929/meghan-markle-fashion-photos/ "undefined"). With Markle’s wedding dress, the former actress will join a long history of British Royal Family brides whose style and sartorial selections for their British royal wedding dresses through the years have affected the fashion trends of brides everywhere. Take for instance, Queen Victoria’s white lace and silk gown, which popularized the tradition of brides wearing white or consider the lasting influence that [Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge’s v-neck and lace Alexander McQueen dress](http://content.time.com/time/photogallery/0,29307,2068379,00.html "undefined") by Sarah Burton still has on the wedding market today. Before Megan Markle walks down the aisle to say “I do,” here’s a look back on the iconic British Royal Family brides who came before her and the royal wedding dresses they wore for their big days. ## **Queen Victoria (m. 1840)** Queen Victoria is largely credited with starting the popular tradition of brides wearing white to their weddings after she selected a gown made of silk, satin, and lace to wear while saying her vows to Prince Albert. According to [_Vogue_](https://www.vogue.com/article/queen-victoria-royal-wedding-facts-victoria-premiere "undefined"), Victoria picked the white shade not to symbolize her purity, as the tradition usually insinuates now, but because she wanted to highlight the lace on her dress to greater effect. The stylish queen also had some bridal demands: no one else could wear white at her wedding and she had the pattern for her wedding dress destroyed after the dress was made so that it couldn’t be replicated.  10th February 1840: Queen Victoria (1819 - 1901) and Prince Albert (1819 - 1861) on their return from the marriage service at St James's Palace, London. Original Artwork: Engraved by S Reynolds after F Lock. (Photo by Rischgitz/Getty Images) Rischgitz—Getty Images  LONDON, ENGLAND - MARCH 20: Queen Victoria's wedding dress on display in the 'Love Room' in Kensington Palace in London, England. Kensington Palace is due to reopen to the public on March 26, 2012 following a 12 million GBP renovation project. The refurbishment has seen the renovation of the King and Queen's state apartments, a display of dresses worn by Diana, Princess of Wales and an exhibition charting the life of Queen Victoria. (Photo by Samir Hussein/WireImage) Samir Hussein—WireImage ## **The Queen Mother, then Lady Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon (m. 1923)** When Queen Elizabeth — then Lady Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon — married Prince Albert, the Duke of York (later King George VI), in 1923, she wore a wedding ensemble that definitely reflected the times. Her pearl and silver thread embroidered silk crepe moire (a fabric with a ripply effect) gown was [designed by Madame Handley Seymour](https://www.telegraph.co.uk/fashion/people/royal-wedding-dresses-years/elizabeth-bowes-lyon-wedding-dress/ "undefined") and had a dropped waist. The flapper-esque British royal wedding dress was perfectly complemented by a delicate Juliet lace cap.  Elizabeth Angela Marguerite Bowes-Lyon, 1900 –2002\. Future Queen Elizabeth, The Queen Mother. Wife of King George VI and the mother of Queen Elizabeth II. Seen here on her wedding day in 1936\. From The Duchess of York, published c.1928\. (Photo by: Universal History Archive/UIG via Getty Images) Universal History Archive—UIG via Getty Images ## **Wallis Simpson, Duchess of Windsor (1937)** Wallis Simpson’s third marriage, to Edward, Duke of Windsor, scandalized the country because he abdicated the throne of King of England to wed a twice-divorced American socialite. For her wedding, Wallis wore a silk crepe dress [designed by a fellow American expat, Mainbocher](https://www.telegraph.co.uk/fashion/people/story-behind-wallis-simpsons-wedding-dress-complicated-fashion/ "undefined"), who was working in Paris. The streamlined dress was dyed “Wallis blue,” a pale blue shade that the designer said matched Wallis’ famous light blue eyes. In lieu of a veil, Wallis wore a Caroline Reboux hat.  3rd June 1937: A portrait of the Duke and Duchess of Windsor on their wedding day at the Chateau de Conde in France. (Photo by Keystone/Getty Images) Keystone—Getty Images ## **Queen Elizabeth II (m. 1947)** When Queen Elizabeth married Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh in 1947, WWII had only ended two years prior — which meant that the young royal had to purchase the tulle, chiffon and silk for her wedding gown [using ration coupons that she had saved](https://www.townandcountrymag.com/society/tradition/a13438510/queen-elizabeth-wedding-dress/ "undefined") (Queen Elizabeth was generously granted 200 extra ration coupons as well, for the royal wedding). The war’s political aftermath also affected the fabric of the dress; the silk used for Elizabeth’s gown was from China, as opposed to WWII foes Japan or Italy. The British royal wedding dress, which was designed by Norman Hartnell and [inspired by a Botticelli painting](https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/beauty/fashion/g4919/queen-elizabeth-wedding-gown/?slide=3 "undefined"), had 10,000 seed pearls sewn into the floral design of the dress and took 350 women seven weeks to make. Elizabeth paired her gown with a veil and the Queen Mary’s Fringe Tiara, which she borrowed from her mother, Queen Elizabeth I, but the silver, diamond and gold tiara broke the morning of the wedding and was hastily repaired by a jeweler before the ceremony. If you look closely, you can see a slight gap towards the center of the tiara.  Queen Elizabeth II, as Princess Elizabeth, and her husband the Duke of Edinburgh, styled Prince Philip in 1957, on their wedding day. She became queen on her father King George VI's death in 1952\. (Photo by Hulton Archive/Getty Images) Hulton Archive—Getty Images ## **Princess Margaret, Countess of Snowdon (m. 1960)** Princess Margaret married fashion photographer Antony Armstrong-Jones in a full-skirted silk organza wedding dress designed by Norman Hartnell, who designed Queen Elizabeth’s silk and lace wedding gown just 13 years earlier. While Margaret’s British royal wedding dress had very little embellishment, her dramatic silhouette style ([which reportedly required close to 100 feet of fabric](https://www.townandcountrymag.com/society/tradition/a12265404/princess-margaret-wedding-to-lord-snowdon/ "undefined")) was complemented by a cathedral length veil held in place by the Poltimore tiara.  Princess Margaret and her new husband Antony Armstrong-Jones leave Westminister Abbey after their wedding. Bettmann—Bettmann Archive ## **Katharine, Duchess of Kent (m. 1961)** When Katharine, the Duchess of Kent, married Prince Edward, she wore a gown designed by John Cavanagh, who helped create her mother-in-law Princess Marina’s own [wedding day look](https://books.google.com/books?id=olQEAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA42&lpg=PA42&dq=katharine+duchess+of+kent+wedding+dress+yards&source=bl&ots=RJSCO8lkd-&sig=ZcbqVtBTXV-Kbl3unr%5Fq7-ccvGo&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwiipJrt%5F9raAhUEnlkKHY%5FOB%5FIQ6AEIlAEwDw#v=onepage&q=katharine%20duchess%20of%20kent%20wedding%20dress%20yards&f=false "undefined"). Her white silk gauze dress featured a high neckline and long sleeves and a commanding train that definitely contributed to why the gown took 273 yards of fabric.  Holding her bouquet of roses, Miss Katharine Worsley leaves her Hovingham Hall home for York Minster where she will become the Duchess of Kent on her marriage to Duke of Kent. (Photo by PA Images via Getty Images) PA Images—PA Images via Getty Images ## **Princess Alexandra, the Honourable Lady Ogilvy (m. 1963)** Princess Alexandra, Queen Elizabeth’s first cousin, wore a John Cavanagh dress to marry Scottish businessman Sir Angus Ogilvy. Her decision to work with John Cavanagh was a family affair; the designer not only helped make her mother, Princess Marina’s wedding gown while working for another design house, but he also made her sister-in-law Katharine, [Duchess of Kent’s wedding dress](https://www.mirror.co.uk/3am/style/celebrity-fashion/gallery/royal-wedding-dresses-brides-pictures-11840623 "undefined").  Scottish businessman Angus J. B. Ogilvy marrying Princess Alexandra of Kent. (Photo by Brian Seed/The LIFE Images Collection/Getty Images) Brian Seed—The LIFE Images Collection/Getty Images ## **Anne, Princess Royal (m. 1973)** Princess Anne wore a high-necked embroidered gown by [Maureen Baker for the label Susan Small](https://www.telegraph.co.uk/fashion/people/royal-wedding-dresses-years/princess-anne-wedding-dress/ "undefined") to wed Captain Mark Phillips. The dress was designed in the Tudor style and featured long medieval sleeves that were edged in pearls; pearls and silver thread also embellished the back of the princess’ gown. She paired the gown with a voluminous veil and held it in place with Queen Mary’s fringe tiara, the same tiara that her mother, Queen Elizabeth, wore to her wedding.  Princess Anne on her wedding day with her husband Mark Phillips, her younger brother Prince Edward, and cousin Lady Sarah Armstrong-Jones. (Photo by © Hulton-Deutsch Collection/CORBIS/Corbis via Getty Images) Hulton Deutsch—Corbis via Getty Images ## **Diana, Princess of Wales (m. 1981)** Princess Diana’s wedding dress remains one of the most iconic wedding looks in history, thanks to its elegant and feminine style. The dress was [designed by then husband and wife team David and Elizabeth Emanuel](https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/beauty/fashion/g4655/princess-diana-wedding-dress/ "undefined") and was made out of ivory silk taffeta with a piece of antique lace that had belonged to Queen Mary embellishing the gown; Diana also paid homage to the old adage for brides, having something old (Queen Mary’s lace), something new (the dress itself), something borrowed (her tiara, which belonged to her family since the 18th century), and something blue (a small bow sewn into the waist of her dress). The dress featured puffed sleeves, ruffles on the bodice and arm openings and [a 25-foot train that was only surpassed by her 153 yard veil, which she wore with the Spencer tiara.](https://www.vanityfair.com/style/2018/04/princess-diana-royal-wedding "undefined") The dress was a closely guarded secret until the ceremony — so much so that [a decoy gown was made to be worn instead in case the actual gown was leaked to the press.](https://www.townandcountrymag.com/the-scene/weddings/g18205746/princess-diana-wedding-dress/ "undefined")  LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM - JULY 29: Diana, Princess of Wales, wearing an Emanuel wedding dress, leaves St. Paul's Cathedral with Prince Charles, Prince of Wales following their wedding on 29 July, 1981 in London, England. (Photo by Anwar Hussein/Getty Images) Anwar Hussein—Getty Images ## **Sarah, Duchess of York (m. 1986)** When Sarah Ferguson married Prince Andrew, she wore an elegant ivory duchesse satin gown that was [designed by Lindka Cierach](https://www.telegraph.co.uk/fashion/people/royal-wedding-dresses-years/sarah-ferguson-wedding-dress/ "undefined"). The dress had [a 17-foot long train and intricate embroidery and beading that referenced her union with the Prince: their initials intertwined, motifs from her family crest, and anchors and waves](https://www.telegraph.co.uk/fashion/people/royal-wedding-dresses-years/sarah-ferguson-wedding-dress/ "undefined") that paid tribute to Prince Andrew’s sailing background.  Prince Andrew, the Duke of York, and Sarah Ferguson wave outside of Buckingham Palace on their wedding day, London, England, July 23, 1986\. (Photo by Hulton Archive/Getty Images) Hulton Archive—Getty Images ## **Sophie, Countess of Wessex (m. 1999)** Sophie Rhys-Jones tied the knot to Queen Elizabeth’s youngest son, Prince Edward, Earl of Wessex, in 1999, at St. George’s Chapel, the same location where Meghan Markle and Prince Harry will say their vows this spring. For her big day, Sophie selected a long-sleeved gown by British fashion designer Samantha Shaw that was [embellished with 325,000 crystals and pearls](https://us.hellomagazine.com/royalty/12016061915231/royal-weddings-prince-edward-sophie-countess-of-wessex/4 "undefined"). Sophie wore [a tiara from the Queen’s private collection ](https://us.hellomagazine.com/lifestyle/12016061915231/royal-weddings-prince-edward-sophie-countess-of-wessex/1/ "undefined")and a [black and white pearl necklace and earrings set designed by her husband as a wedding gift](http://people.com/archive/cover-story-edward-sophie-vol-51-no-25/ "undefined"). Both the jewelry and the tiara were made by Asprey and Garrard.  WINDSOR, UNITED KINGDOM - JUNE 19: The Wedding Of Prince Edward And Sophie Rhys-jones. (Photo by Tim Graham Picture Library/Getty Images) Pool/Tim Graham Picture Library—Tim Graham/Getty Images ## **Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall (m. 2005)** For her second wedding to Prince Charles in 2005, Camilla Parker Bowles wore a cream dress with a embroidered silk overdress by London designers [Antonia Robinson and Anna Valentine](http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk/4429447.stm "undefined"), under the label Robinson Valentine (now known as Anna Valentine). Camilla’s dress’ sleek and clean silhouettes was more low-key than other royal brides, most likely because it was a second marriage for both herself and the Prince. She paired her wedding ceremony ensemble with a lace and feather hat by storied British hat designer Philip Treacy.  The Prince of Wales, and his new wife, Camilla Parker Bowles, the Duchess of Cornwall (Photo by Anwar Hussein Collection/ROTA/WireImage) Anwar Hussein Collection/ROTA—WireImage ## **Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge (m. 2011)** Kate Middleton’s wedding gown was one of the most highly-anticipated reveals of her 2011 wedding to Prince William. Neither the design of the dress or the designer were announced until the bride was on her way to the wedding ceremony. The iconic and oft-copied wedding dress was [designed by Sarah Burton at Alexander McQueen](https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/beauty/fashion/g4690/kate-middleton-wedding-dress/ "undefined") and featured a relatively deep-v neckline, [a 9-foot train, and lace overlay, as well as Victorian-inspired corsetry and padding on the hips to create the illusion of a more narrow waist](http://fashion.telegraph.co.uk/news-features/TMG8477689/Kate-Middleton-wedding-dress-is-Sarah-Burton-for-Alexander-McQueen.html "undefined"). Like Diana, Middleton also followed the bridal tradition of having something old, new, borrowed, and blue, [with an old lace technique being used for the lace on her gown, new earrings (a gift from her parents), a blue ribbon sewn into the inside of the dress,](https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/beauty/fashion/g4690/kate-middleton-wedding-dress/ "undefined") and the Queen’s Cartier halo tiara, borrowed to hold her veil in place.  LONDON, ENGLAND - APRIL 29: TRH Prince William, Duke of Cambridge and Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge smile following their marriage at Westminster Abbey on April 29, 2011 in London, England. The marriage of the second in line to the British throne was led by the Archbishop of Canterbury and was attended by 1900 guests, including foreign Royal family members and heads of state. Thousands of well-wishers from around the world have also flocked to London to witness the spectacle and pageantry of the Royal Wedding. (Photo by Chris Jackson/Getty Images) Chris Jackson—Getty Images ```json [{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"NewsArticle","@id":"https://time.com/5246940/british-royal-wedding-dresses/","mainEntityOfPage":{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https://time.com/5246940/british-royal-wedding-dresses/"},"headline":"The 12 Most Influential British Royal Wedding Dresses of All Time","datePublished":"2018-05-01T20:42:50.000Z","dateModified":"2026-05-11T04:46:19.893Z","description":"From Queen Victoria to Kate Middleton","url":"https://time.com/5246940/british-royal-wedding-dresses/","keywords":["Newsfeed","Living","royal wedding","onetime"],"thumbnailUrl":"https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/blt5242caf2dc80f915/69892f477cdbac7bcbd5cbfb/british-royal-wedding-dresses.jpg?branch=production&width=1200&quality=75&auto=webp&crop=1200:675&height=675","author":[{"@type":"Person","name":"Cady Lang","jobTitle":null,"url":"https://time.com/author/cady-lang/"}],"articleSection":"","image":[{"@type":"ImageObject","url":"https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/blt5242caf2dc80f915/69892f477cdbac7bcbd5cbfb/british-royal-wedding-dresses.jpg?branch=production&width=1200&quality=75&auto=webp&crop=1200:675&height=675","width":1200,"height":675,"headline":"british-royal-wedding-dresses","caption":"British royal wedding dresses","creditText":"Getty Images (3)","representativeOfPage":true}],"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"Time","url":"https://time.com/","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","url":"https://time.com/images/logo.png","width":528,"height":156},"foundingDate":"March 3, 1923","sameAs":["https://www.facebook.com/time","https://www.instagram.com/time/?hl=en","https://twitter.com/time","https://www.pinterest.com/timemagazine"]}},{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"item":{"@id":"/tag/time-section-newsfeed/","name":"Newsfeed"}},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"item":{"@id":"https://time.com/5246940/british-royal-wedding-dresses/","name":"The 12 Most Influential British Royal Wedding Dresses of All Time"}}]}] ```