Royal wedding dresses throughout history

Kate Middleton

On April 29, 2011, Prince William married Catherine Elizabeth Middleton at Westminster Abbey. The event saw Kate wearing a show-stopping dress designed by Sarah Burton for Alexander McQueen. Made of satin, silk and lace, the gown was meant to be a seamless blend of traditional and contemporary style.

Camilla Parker Bowles

Charles, Prince of Wales, married Camilla Parker Bowles on April 9, 2005. Camilla wore a conservative regal number in a blue damask print with gold embroidery.

Sophie Helen Rhys-Jones

Prince Edward, youngest son of Queen Elizabeth II, married Sophie Helen Rhys-Jones wed on June 19, 1999. Her dress, design by Samantha Shaw, featured a deep V-neck with bell sleeves and a cascading veil. The accompanying coat featured over 300,000 pearl and cut glass beads.

Sarah Ferguson

On July 23, 1986, Queen Elizabeth’s second son, Prince Andrew married Sarah Ferguson at Westminster Abbey. Sarah wore a design by Lindka Cierach that had beading on the bodice, puffy sleeves and a 17-foot train.

Princess Diana

The beautiful and beloved Lady Diana Spencer married Charles, Prince of Wales, on July 29, 1981. Diana’s dress, an old-fashioned crepe ball gown with romantic ruffles, became one of the most famous dresses of all time.

Princess Margaret

Queen Elizabeth’s younger sister Princess Margaret wed Antony Charles Robert Armstrong-Jones on May 6, 1960. As befitting a princess, Margaret wore a silk organza gown with a jewelled tiara and train-length veil.

Queen Elizabeth

A young Princess Elizabeth (later Queen Elizabeth) married Lieutenant Philip Mountbatten at Westminster Abbey on November 20, 1947. She wore an ivory silk gown embellished with 10,000 seed pearls. In the wake of World War II, she had to save clothing coupons to buy her dress.

Bessie Wallis Warfield Simpson

The marriage between American-born Bessie Wallis Warfield Simpson and Prince Edward was not accepted by most — this may explain why Bessie's dress was significantly more simple and minimal than the average royal wedding gown. Prince Edward had to abdicate the throne in order to marry Bessie because she'd previously been divorced. Their marriage remains one of the biggest scandals in the history of the British royal family.

Princess Marina

On November 29, 1934, Queen Mary's son, Prince George, married Princess Marina of Greece at Westminster Abbey. She wore a luxurious white and silver silk gown designed by the esteemed Edward Molyneux.

Lady Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon

Lady Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon turned down Prince Albert's marriage proposal twice before she finally said yes. On April 26, 1923, the two were wed at Westminster Abbey. Following Prince Edward's abdication, Lady Elizabeth would become the Queen Mother and her husband would become King George VI. 

Princess Alice of Albany

Queen Victoria's granddaughter Princess Alice of Albany was the longest-living princess in the history of the British royal family. She married Prince Alexander of Teck in February 1904 in a tiered, feminine dress. 

Princess Victoria Mary

On July 6, 1893, King Edward VII's second son, Prince George, married Princess Victoria Mary of Teck in a beautiful ceremony at St. James' Palace. It featured gold embellishment, a cinched waist and a wide neckline.

Princess Beatrice

Princess Beatrice, in a dress that boasted contrasting floral embellishments, married Prince Henry of Battenburg on July 23, 1885. Princess Beatrice wore her mother's Honiton lace veil. 

Princess Louise Margaret

Queen Victoria's third son, Prince Arthur, married Princess Louise Margaret of Prussia at St. George's Chapel, Windsor Castle in March, 1879. She wore a luscious white satin dress with a beautiful lace embellishment at her waist. 

Princess Alexandra

Princess Alexandra donned a whimsical wedding dress for her wedding to Prince Edward, Queen Victoria's eldest son, on March 10, 1863. Prince Edward would later take over the crown becoming King Edward VII.

Queen Victoria

Wearing an opulent stunner that boasted floral detailing, Queen Victoria married Prince Albert of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha at St. James' Palace on February 10, 1840.