19 Of The Most Romantic Royal Wedding Dresses of All Time
Some of the most stunning dresses worn by royalty from all over the world
The general public’s fascination with royal wedding dresses is deeply rooted in a combination of tradition, fairy-tale allure, and fashion influence. Royal weddings are globally watched events, and the bridal attire becomes an iconic symbol of a cherished love story and the embodiment of a dream wedding.
Royal brides have access to some of the most talented and renowned fashion designers. The dresses they wear are often exquisite creations of luxury and craftsmanship, setting high standards for bridal trends.
From Kate Middleton’s exquisite Alexander McQueen dress by Sarah Burton to Grace Kelly’s gifted gown by Academy Award-winning costume designer Helen Rose, Bazaar Arabia shares 19 of the most iconic royal wedding dresses of all time.
19 Of The Most Romantic Royal Wedding Dresses of All Time
Her Highness Sheikha Mahra Bint Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum
Her Highness Sheikha Mahra Bint Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum of Dubai, the daughter of the Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and ruler of Dubai, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum got married in a lavish wedding ceremony to Sheikh Mana Bin Mohammed Bin Manna Al Maktoum on the 27th May 2023 in Dubai.
Sheikha Mahra wore a custom dress by designer Ezra Santos. The white ballgown was embellished with geometric pattern work, was completed with a long embroidered cape and accessorised with an elegant translucent veil.
Queen Rania of Jordan
Queen Rania of Jordan wore a stunning wedding dress for her marriage to King Abdullah II in 1993. Her gown featured a high neckline, long sleeves, and intricate lace embellishments on the boarders.
Designer Bruce Oldfield was reportedly inspired by Syrian costumes exhibited at the V&A museum in London. The silk gown was accessorised with a belt, that was later worn by her daughter, Princess Iman, at her own royal wedding’s pre-wedding henna celebration.
Grace Kelly
Grace Kelly, an American actress, became Princess Grace of Monaco after marrying Prince Rainier III in 1956. Her wedding dress, designed by Helen Rose, was a high-necked, long-sleeved gown made from silk taffeta and lace.
The dress featured thousands of tiny pearls and a fitted bodice, embodying timeless elegance and sophistication. Completed with a delicate lace veil, which was secured by a stunning Juliet cap adorned with seed pearls. Instead of a traditional crown, Princess Grace wore a wreath of fresh white flowers.
Queen Noor of Jordan
The Wedding of Queen Noor and King Hussein of Jordan took place at the Zahran Palace in Amman, on June 15, 1978. Queen Noor of Jordan, formerly Lisa Halaby, wore a stunning gold-trimmed white wedding dress and veil designed by Christian Dior.
The design was inspired by a Yves Saint Laurent dress that the Queen owned and adored prior to the wedding.
Princess Diana
The wedding of Princess Diana and Prince Charles remains one of the most memorable of the 20th century, with an estimated 750 million people watching the ceremony on television on 29th July, 1981, making it one of the most watched events in television history.
Princess Diana’s wedding dress was designed by David and Elizabeth Emanuel. The dress was made from silk taffeta and featured a fitted bodice, a voluminous skirt, and a 25-foot-long train, the longest in royal wedding history. Adorned with lace, sequins, and 10,000 pearls, as well as antique lace that once belonged to Queen Mary, adding a touch of historical significance to the gown.
Princess Masako of Japan
Princess Masako of Japan, upon her marriage to Crown Prince Naruhito in a ceremony in the Imperial Palace, Tokyo in 1993, was the second “commoner” to every marry the first in line to the thrown (the first being her mother-in-law.)
For the wedding she wore a magnificent white silk gown designed by Japanese designer, Hanae Mori. The dress seamlessly blended traditional Japanese aesthetics with contemporary elegance, capturing worldwide awe. The Princess also wore a stunning jewellery set and the Meiji Tiara, part of the Japanese Imperial Jewellery collection, on her wedding day.
Princess Marie-Chantal of Greece
Princess Marie-Chantal of Greece and Crown Prince Pavlos of Greece ere married on July 1, 1995 in a ceremony in London’s St. Sophia’s Cathedral. Princess Marie-Chantal wore an ivory Valentino wedding dress that featured intricate lace and a 4.5-meter-long Chantilly lace train. Paired with a delicate tiara and a long veil, she looked timeless and elegant.
Queen Camilla
Queen Camilla, formerly Camilla Parker Bowles, married Prince Charles, the Prince of Wales, in a civil ceremony on April 9, 2005, at the Guildhall in Windsor. She wore an elegant porcelain blue silk dress designed by Robinson Valentine for her wedding. The dress featured a high collar and a matching silk coat, and was worn with matching shoes. She accessorised her outfit with a feathered Philip Treacy hat and a pearl necklace.
Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden
The Wedding of Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden and Prince Daniel, Duke of Västergötland in 2010 was the first Swedish Royal Wedding since 1976. Princess Victoria’s wedding was created by Swedish designer, Pär Engsheden. The dress was a pearl-white duchess silk satin with a deep boat neckline, and features a gorgeous train that was almost five meters long. Princess Victoria paired this classic silhouette with the Cameo Tiara, matching earrings and a bracelet from the same parure, an heirloom collection once owned by Empress Joséphine of France, her direct ancestor.
Catherine, Princess of Wales
Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge married Prince William, Duke of Cambridge, on April 29, 2011 in Westminster Abbey in London. She wore a beautiful dressed, designer by Sarah Burton for Alexander McQueen. The gown featured a lace bodice with long sleeves and a deep V-neckline, showcasing with intricate hand-embroidered lace appliqués.
Kate Middleton completed her bridal look with the Cartier Halo Tiara, which was lent to her by Queen Elizabeth II. The tiara held a significant history, as it was originally purchased by the Queen’s father, King George VI, for the Queen Mother, who later gifted it to Queen Elizabeth II on her 18th birthday.
Charlene, Princess of Monaco
The marriage of Princess Charlene of Monaco and Prince Albert II of Monaco on 2nd July 2011 was a lavish 2-day-affair in the Prince’s Palace in Monaco. Princess Charlene wore a custom-designed Giorgio Armani Prive dress, made of duchess silk, floral embroidery, Swarovski crystals and mother-of-pearl teardrops.
Zara Phillips
Zara Phillips, the daughter of Princess Anne and Captain Mark Phillips, married English rugby player Mike Tindall on July 30, 2011. She wore an elegant ivory silk gown designed by Stewart Parvin, a favorite couturier of her grandmother, Queen Elizabeth II. The dress featured a delicate lace overlay and a fishtail silhouette, exuding sophistication and grace. She paired her gown with a Greek Key tiara, which was lent to her by her mother, Princess Anne.
Queen Jetsun Pema of Bhutan
Queen Jetsun Pema’s wedding to King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck took place on October 13, 2011, at the Punakha Dzong in Punakha, Bhutan. Queen Jetsun Pema wore a traditional Bhutanese Kira, an ankle-length dress, paired with a tego, a jacket-like garment, both intricately woven with colourful patterns.
Princess Sofia, Duchess of Värmland
Princess Sofia, Duchess of Värmland, married Prince Carl Philip of Sweden on June 13, 2015. The wedding took place at the Royal Chapel in Stockholm, Sweden, she wore a stunning wedding dress designed by Swedish designer Ida Sjöstedt. The dress featured an off-the-shoulder design with a V-neckline, made from silk crepe overlaid with Italian silk organza. Princess Sofia completed her look with the Swedish royal family’s antique tiara, adorned with diamonds and emeralds, creating a truly regal bridal ensemble
Princess Eugenie
The British Royal Family often collaborates with British designers for weddings. In 2019, Princess Eugenie wore a stunning Peter Pilotto gown paired with the Greville tiara, a 1919 Boucheron creation, on loan from the Queen. The tiara featured a central 93-carat emerald surrounded by diamonds, complemented by emerald earrings and a necklace gifted by her husband, Jack Brooksbank.
Charlotte Casiraghi
On June 1, 2019, Charlotte Casiraghi, Princess of Hanover’s daughter, married film producer Dimitri Rassam in Monaco’s Prince’s Palace. The historic venue, where her grandmother Princess Grace wed in 1956. Charlotte wore two dresses: a grey brocade mini-dress with a bow detail by Yves Saint Laurent for the civil ceremony and a strapless ivory gown by Chanel for the reception. For the summer religious wedding, she chose a Giambattista Valli dress, reminiscent of her mother Princess Caroline’s 1978 gown which was gorgous against the pack drop of St. Remy de Provence.
Princess Beatrice
In a private ceremony at Windsor’s All Saints Royal Chapel on July 17, 2020, Princess Beatrice donned her grandmother Queen Elizabeth II’s gown. Modified by Angela Kelly and Stewart Parvin, it featured delicate cap sleeves. She graced her ensemble with the same tiara Queen Elizabeth wore in 1947, a reconstructed necklace that held historical significance, given to Queen Victoria on her wedding day.
Princess Rajwa Al Hussein
The wedding of Crown Prince AlHussein and Rajwa Al Saif on June 1, 2023 was held in the Zahran Palace in Amman. Rajwa looked breathtaking in a white gown by Lebanese designer Elie Saab and a gorgeous diamond tiara designed by Yan Sicard from Fred Jewelry. This event was Jordan’s first significant royal celebration in nearly three decades, as such, the couple was celebrated by the whole county, and the region.
Princess Azemah of Brunei
Princess Azemah of Brunei celebrated her wedding to Prince Bahar ibni Jefri Bolkiah with a week-long affair. The festivities commenced with the Royal Powdering Ceremony on January 11, followed by a ceremony at the Omar Ali Saifuddien Mosque and a reception at the residence of the bride’s father, Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah. The princess dazzled in her ivory crystal-studded gown for the main wedding ceremony. Among the tiaras she wore over the week, the remarkable Diamond Heart Tiara was chosen for the main event, a treasure from her stepmother, Queen Saleha.