Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s Royal Wedding: 1840 - 2018; evolution of the royal wedding dress

There’s barely a day left for the Royal wedding and the World’s gearing up for this mega event. Prince Harry and Meghan Markle will be tying the knot on May 19, 2018 at Windsor Castle. Prince William will serve best man to his brother, Prince Harry and Prince Charles will be walking Meghan Markle down the aisle after her father backed out owing health issues.

Royal weddings have always been a grand affair and the people all over the globe have always been obsessed with this one family. Weddings have always managed to stir up a lot of curiosity and if you’re a royal, well then the excitement just doubles up. Former Suits star, Meghan Markle is gearing up for her big day and if rumours are to be believed then celebrated British fashion duo, Ralph and Russo will be designing her wedding outfit. Back in 2011 when Prince William and Kate Middleton got married, the rumour mills were buzzing 24/7 as to who will Kate be wearing for her big day and then the World saw their Princess walk down the aisle wearing a gorgeous Alexander McQueen outfit.

Brides and their wedding dresses always rake in a huge level of excitement. The Royal family is always one who had taken traditions and rituals very dearly. Long trains, ruffles, laces are few details that are followed closely as they stand aligned with Royal traditions. While we wait with baited breath to see who Meghan finally wears on her big day; let’s walk you down memory lane and take a look at the wedding dresses worn by the British Royal brides.

Queen Victoria - 1840

Royal brides have always managed to set the fashion bar high but in this case Queen Victoria created a fashion bar altogether. It is because of her that brides have been wearing till date on their big day. Queen Victoria chose to wear white lace for her wedding to Prince Albert in 1840. While many might think that it was to symbolise purity, it was infact to showcase and highlight the handmade white lace of her wedding outfit. The Queen not just set this trend, she also barred all the invited guests from wearing white to the ceremony so that the attention is not taken away from her.

Queen Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon - 1923

Queen Elizabeth, daughter of Earl of Strathmore and Kinghorne married Prince Albert who then took up the name King George VI after his elder brother abdicated the throne. Queen Elizabeth wore ‘the most simplest and daintiest gown probably ever made for a royal marriage.’ The outfit did not have exaggerated sleeves or a ballroom gown silhouette. It was sleek and featured a long lace train.  

Queen Elizabeth - 1947

Our reigning Queen, Queen Elizabeth followed the same tradition which was set by Queen Victoria wearing white and barring the guests from wearing white. Queen Elizabeth wore a white full sleeves, ornate gown made of silk embellished with 10,000 seed pearls. Here’s outfit was created under three months. String of pearls, her diamond tiara and a lace veil completed her bridal look.

Princess Diana - 1981

Probably the most talked about outfit in the history. David and Elizabeth Emanuel created the most memorable and dramatic outfit for Princess Diana which received mixed reviews. The young 20 year old wore lace and silk gown featuring ‘80s style puff sleeves’. The highlight of the outfit was her 25 feet long train. It was decorated with hand embroidery, sequins and 10,000 pearls. Minimal makeup, her natural blush, drop earrings, her tiara and long veil finished off her look.

Duchess of Cambridge, Kate Middleton, 2011

After Princess Diana, probably the most loved Royal. Kate Middleton walked down the aisle wearing an intricate, clean lace and satin outfit designed by Sarah Burton for Alexander McQueen. The outfit did not feature any exaggerated, dramatic or over the top silhouettes. As many would state, it was the ‘perfect marriage of traditional fabrics with lacework’. Her outfit featured a short 3 meter train and a short lace veil. To keep the memory of her late mother-in-law alive, Kate also sewed a blue ribbon into her dress as Diana did during her wedding to Prince Charles.

We cannot wait to see Meghan Markle dress up as a bride and see if she follows the royal traditions, who she chooses as her wedding outfit designers and if she’ll pay a tribute to her late would-be mother-in-law, Princess Diana.

Are you excited for the royal wedding too? Comment below and let us know.