Royal Wedding Gowns Through the Years, in Honor of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's Wedding
With the royal wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle only days away, the excitement in the air is palpable. And, above all, the world is busy contemplating what designer Meghan might choose for her gown — and, of course, what it will look like. As we’re still talking about Duchess Kate Middleton’s Alexander McQueen gown from 2011, it’s a sure bet that when (not if) Meghan stuns us all in a gorgeous look that has our jaws on the ground, it will stay in reference for a long time to come. So, in anticipation of the next iconic royal wedding dress to add to the list, we’re taking a look back at the 18 most iconic gowns in royal history — in the UK and beyond.
WPA Pool/Getty Images1/20Prince Harry and Meghan Markle
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are officially married. Meghan Markle wed Prince Harry in a sleek white gown that was stunning in its simplicity. The elegant dress was designed by Clare Waight Keller, the first female artistic director at Givenchy.
2/20Prince Joel Makonnen and Princess Ariana Makonnen, 2017
The great grandson of Haile Selassie, the last emperor of Ethiopia, and Princess Ariana Makonnen wed in the fall, with the bride wearing a dress more traditional of a modern wedding: Designed by Lazaro Perez, her sleeveless gown was sheer and embellished on top with a full tulle skirt below. It was a true princess moment, if we’ve ever seen one.
Getty Images3/20Pierre Casiraghi and Beatrice Borromeo, 2015
Grace Kelly’s grandson, Pierre Casiraghi, married his gorgeous bride Beatrice Borromeo who dressed in three separate looks. It was the second, however, which had our jaws on the floor as she wore an ethereal sleeveless Valentino gown that wowed.
Chris Jackson/Getty Images4/20Prince William and Duchess of Cambridge Kate Middleton, 2011
In one of the most anticipated royal weddings since that of his father and mother, Prince William walked his now-wife, Duchess of Cambridge Kate Middleton, down the aisle wearing a gorgeous lace creation from Alexander McQueen’s Sarah Burton. Made of lace from top to bottom, this V-neck, long-sleeved gown was opaque through the strapless bottom with sheer lace covering her shoulders and arms.
Pool5/20Prince Daniel, Duke of Västergötland and Victoria, Crown Princess of Sweden, 2010
Princess Victoria married her former fitness instructor, which certainly ruffled a few feathers, but on wedding day, all anyone could focus on was her gown. Her look, created by Pät Engsheden, was the epitome of elegance.
Tim Graham/Getty Images6/20Charles, Prince of Wales, and Camilla Parker Bowles, 2005
As it was the second wedding for both the bride and the groom, Camilla chose not to wear a traditional white gown for the ceremony. Instead, she walked down the aisle in a light blue dress and embellished silk coat that grazed the floor with a slight train in the back. The look was created by designer Robinson Valentine.
Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images7/20King Felipe and Queen Letizia Oritz of Spain, 2004
The youthful pair walked down the aisle with a sword salute, as the bride wore a slim, long-sleeved, embroidered gown with a V-neck bodice and high, opened collar. The look was created by Manuel Pertegaz.
Patrick Robert/Sygma via Getty Images8/20King Letsie and Karabo Motsoeneng, 2000
In the first royal wedding of this millennium, thousands (including Nelson Mandela) were in attendance to celebrate the nuptials of Kind Letsie and Karabo Motsoeneng, who wed in a Maseru football stadium to accommodate the crowd. For the massive event, the bride was dressed in a regal lace and silk gown with a double-layer skirt and diamond jewelry that was just a jaw-dropping as the dress itself.
Tim Graham Picture Library/Getty Images9/20Prince Edward and Sophie Rhys-Jones, 1999
In one of the smallest ceremonies in royal history, the pair’s wedding was attended by 560 guests. Another twist of tradition, however, was Sophie’s look, which was a coat dress, complete with bell-sleeves that would make her wedding decade proud. Both her gown and her black-and-white pearl necklace were designed by Prince Edward himself.
michel Setboun/Corbis via Getty Images10/20King Ronald Muwenda Mutebi II and Sylvia Nagginda Luswata, 1999
In the first royal wedding in Uganda in nearly 50 years, King Ronald Muwenda Mutebi II wed Sylvia Nagginda Luswata in what many called “the wedding of the century.” For the event, the bride chose a cream short-sleeved gown embellished with gold.
Maher Attar/Sygma via Getty Images11/20Prince Abdullah and Queen Rania of Jordan, 1993
Queen Rania's gown seemed to have drawn inspiration from the most gorgeous of suiting, as the top revealed an under-layer much like it would, had she been wearing a top and jacket on top. With a full skirt and allover gold embellishments, this short-sleeved look was designed by Elie Saab Haute Couture.
PA Images via Getty Images12/20Prince Andrew and Sarah Ferguson, 1986
Doing her own decade proud, Sarah Ferguson’s look was quite the 1980s throwback, with ivory silk sleeves that puffed up with gigantic bows on each shoulder. Her bodice and silk skirted bottom seemed inspired by the look of a Princess from centuries before her time and was designed by Fergie herself.
Fox Photos/Getty Images13/20Prince Charles of Wales and Princess Diana, 1981
In one of the most famous weddings in memory for most, the world tuned in to witness the ceremony, but also to see what fashion icon Princess Diana would choose for the big day. Designed by David and Elizabeth Emanuel, the gown boasted Victorian-inspired puff sleeves, a ruffle neckline, and reportedly one of the longest veils to ever be seen, measuring 25 feet.
Pool MARIAGE CAROLINE DE MONACO/Gamma-Rapho via Getty Images14/20Philippe Junot and Princess Caroline of Monaco, 1978
The daughter of Grace Kelly married her husband in a look that was stripped of all the fuss that normally comes with a royal wedding gown. For the ceremony, she wore a bohemian-inspired look with a simple flowing skirt and nipped-in waist.
John Downing/Getty Images15/20Prince Michael of Kent and Baroness Marie Christine von Reibnitz, 1978
The pair wed only a month after Marie Christine’s first marriage was annulled, as she walked down the aisle in a more tailored take on the trends of the 1970s. Her dress had a blouse-style top, complete with neckline ruffle, and her jewelry was a layered choker of pearls that almost served as a turtleneck extension of the gown itself.
PA Images via Getty Images16/20Captain Mark Phillips and Princess Anne, 1973
The big draw of Princess Anne’s look? The sleeves. Simple in silhouette, with little embellishments to speak of, Anne’s wedding gown boasted sleeves that belled from her wrists down to nearly her ankles when she held her bouquet of flowers. The look was the genius of designer Maureen Baker.
Keystone-France/Gamma-Rapho via Getty Images17/20Anthony Armstrong-Jones and Princess Margaret, 1960
In the first royal wedding to ever be televised, Princess Margaret chose a traditional silhouette for her gown. That said, the silk look had little embellishment, though its full skirted shape and long sleeves made quite a statement. Reports claim that designer Norman Hartnell chose to minimize the additional crystals in order to make it work for her tiny frame without becoming too overwhelming.
Joseph McKeown/Getty Images18/20Prince Rainer III of Monaco and Princess Grace Kelly, 1956
Many say that Kate Middleton drew inspiration from Princess Grace Kelly, who chose a gown with a nipped-in waist and lace top that had a shirting-like quality. Keeping the design process in the family, so to speak, Princess Grace chose her MGM costume designer, Helen Rose, for the job of creating this iconic look.
Hulton Archive/Getty Images19/20Prince Phillip and Queen Elizabeth II, 1947
Unlike the smaller weddings in this round-up, Prince Phillip and Queen Elizabeth II’s wedding was attended by no less than 2,500 guests. For the walk down the aisle, Elizabeth wore a stunning silk gown that was embellished all over the bodice, skirt, and veil with flowers. What’s more, because of the times, Elizabeth used ration coupons to purchase the material for the look that was designed by Norman Hartnell.
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