Over 70 years ago in November of 1947, Queen Elizabeth stepped out to marry Prince Philip Mountbatten, Duke of Edinburgh at Westminister Abbey. Their royal wedding held a bigger significance than just the uniting of two people, but also served as a movement forward and a moment of hope for the public following World War II. The British government was still in recovery and the joy and promise of the royal wedding brought feelings of a new start to the British people. Designer Norman Hartnell took on the role of creating the lavish gown and vowed to make it “the most beautiful gown he ever made.” For more information about the iconic gown, follow along for 9 hidden details on Queen Elizabeth’s royal wedding dress:
Update: This article references Queen Elizabeth. Sadly, she passed on September 8, 2022 at the age of 96. She was the UK’s longest-serving monarch after reigning for 70 years.
9. The embroidery was inspired by a painting
Many designers search for inspiration before designing a gown, and even more so for a gown as important as Queen Elizabeth’s wedding dress! When crafting the masterpiece, designer Hartwell supposedly took inspiration from Botticelli’s Renaissance masterpiece Primavera. The gown signified a new world following the war and Hartwell wanted the gown to symbolize motifs of rebirth, renewal, and growth. He crafted patterns using gold and silver thread of wheat, roses, and star-shaped flowers to mimic the designs in the painting.
Photo by Bert Hardy/Picture Post/Getty Images8. The silk was imported from China
Rather than collaborating with recent foes Italy or Japan, Hartnell opted to work with Nationalist China to supply the silkworms for the fabric on the gown rather than the “enemy silkworms” as they were referred to as at the time. The silk used on the dress was rich and an ivory tone, whereas the silk chosen for the train was more flexible.
Photo by Keystone/Getty Images7. The train was 15 feet long
Train length is a huge factor to consider when designing a royal wedding dress! With millions watching in anticipation for the moment the bride steps out, it’s important that she makes an entrance that will take everyone’s breath away. Hartnell definitely achieved just that with his star-patterned gown which stretched 15 feet down the aisle behind her. Although it seemed extravagant at the time, Princess Diana later stepped down the aisle wearing a train of a whopping 25 feet!
Shutterstock: Murshed Khan6. Tiara was gifted to her as a wedding present from her grandmother
It’s a royal tradition to wear a family heirloom on the day of the wedding and Queen Elizabeth followed suit by wearing her grandmother’s diamond fringe tiara. The tiara had been made for her grandmother Queen Mary in 1919 and used stones from a Collingwood tiara that was given to Mary as a wedding present by Queen Victoria. Queen Mary also wore the tiara on her own wedding day in 1893.
Photo by Topical Press Agency/Getty Images5. Her tiara broke the morning of the wedding
Even the royals fall victim to a mishap or two on their wedding day! The morning of the wedding, Queen Mary’s fringe tiara actually snapped just before Elizabeth left for Westminster Abbey. Luckily, a jeweler fixed it as quickly as he could; however, in certain photos a noticeable gap is evident near the center of the tiara.
Shutterstock: Simon Ward Photography4. Her bouquet went missing
Florist Martin Longman was in charge of the bouquets for the royal wedding and he allegedly submitted five designs, but his arrangement of three all-white orchids was the chosen style for the big day. To add a touch of sentimental value, the orchid design also included myrtle which was grown from the same myrtle in Princess Victoria’s wedding bouquet. The floral design was undeniably stunning, but when the Royals went to go take the official portrait following the ceremony, the bouquet seemed to have vanished. A week later, Longman was later asked to make an identical bouquet so the bride and groom could be rephotographed.
(Photo by Stuart C. Wilson/Getty Images)3. There was a secret lucky shamrock design
The Queen was completely unaware of this detail, but Hartnell later enclosed that he added an extra lucky shamrock onto the skirt! The good luck four-leaf clover was sewn onto the left side of the skirt, “so that Her Majesty’s hand could rest upon it during the ceremony,” Hartnell shared of the sentimental detail.
Photo by Max Mumby/Indigo/Getty Images2. The heels were studded with pearls
Hartnell also designed the satin sandals that the bride wore during the big day! He designed the open-toe sandals with silver buckles along the ankle which were studded with small pearls to compliment the pearl-encrusted dress. Although Hartnell designed the heel, craftsman Rayne was left in charge of crafting them. The 1947 fashion moment was the beginning of Rayne’s golden era of fashion and he was later asked to design pieces for many royals including Princess Margaret and Princess Diana.
Photo by Max Mumby/Indigo/Getty Images1. Netflix’s The Crown made an exact replica
Netflix original The Crown designed an exact replica of the iconic gown for Claire Foy to wear as she took on the role of Elizabeth! The gown appears in the premiere episode and roughly cost $37,000 to replicate. Actress Claire Foy dished the details of what it was like to wear a gown of this stature. “It took five days to shoot that scene, and the dress, an exact replica, weighed a ton. All the fiddling to get it right, and needing the loo and you’ve got a crown on your head. For this young woman to be wearing all that and then have the composure to walk through the Abbey full of dignitaries and heads of state, and then having to be anointed… It must have taken huge gumption. ”
Shutterstock/Marlin360
