The Greville Jewelry Collection

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Some of the most exquisite pieces of jewelry worn by the British Royal family came from a relatively unknown woman named Mrs. Greville.  Included in this small priceless collection are two beautiful tiaras, one is the Greville Diamond Tiara worn in the past by the Queen Mother and now by Camilla the Duchess of Cornwall and the other is the  Greville Emerald Kokoshnik worn by Princess Eugenie at her wedding in October 2018.  Another favorite item that was worn previously by the Queen Mother and now worn by the Duchess of Cornwall is the stunning Greville Festoon Necklace.  Also from the Greville collection is the Ruby and Diamond Floral Bandeau Necklace worn most recently by the Duchess of Cambridge.

Before I go into detail about several of the Greville jewelry pieces let’s find out about the women who originally possessed this amazing jewelry collection and how it came to the British Royal family.  Margaret Andersen Greville (born: December 20, 1863 died: September 15, 1942) was the daughter of the multimillionaire founder of the Fountain Brewery in Scotland, William McEwan, and his mistress Helen Anderson.  It is interesting to note that over twenty years later McEwan and Helen finally married in 1885 after the death of her first husband, at the time their daughter, Margaret, was 21 years old. 

In 1891, Margaret married the Hon. Ronald Greville who was eldest son of the 2nd Baron Greville and later he became a Member of Parliament.  In 1906 Margaret’s father purchased Polesden Lacey, a large country estate located in Surrey, England for the couple.  Sadly, Margaret’s husband died two years later in 1908 and then her father in 1913.  Since Margaret was the only child of McEwan, upon his death the bulk of his estate went to her thus making her a very wealthy woman.    

Mrs. Greville was a philanthropist, a socialite and she was named a Dame Commander of the British Empire in 1922.  She was friends with many members of the British Royal family including Queen Mary and Lady Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon (later to become Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother).  In fact when Lady Elizabeth married Prince Albert (later to become King George VI) in 1923 they spent part of their honeymoon at Mrs. Greville’s country estate.

When Mrs. Greville died in 1942 she was buried at Polesden Lacey and the estate is now run by the National Trust and is open to the public.  So, throughout the years Mrs. Greville was a great collector of fine jewelry especially Boucheron and Cartier.   Since the Grevilles had no children the majority of her priceless jewelry collection went to the Queen Mother.  The size of the collection was not made known to the public at the time but it is estimated that there were about 60 pieces of jewelry. Then upon her the death of the Queen Mother in 2002 her daughter, Queen Elizabeth II, inherited the Greville jewelry collection. 

So, let’s take a look at a few of the items from the Greville jewelry collection that has been worn by the British Royal Family over the past decades.

The Greville DiamondTiara

Perhaps one of the most iconic pieces from the Greville jewelry collection is a stunning diamond tiara.  Since the social elite were known to “repurpose” their jewelry often by taking the stones from one piece and using them to create a different piece, a necklace could be made into another necklace or a tiara could be used to create a necklace.   

The history of the Greville Tiara is an interesting example because it has taken on three distinct design styles.  The first version of the tiara, shown below, had a very different design that featured a floral motif and was worn by Mrs. Greville for the coronation of King Edward VII in 1901.  It has been noted that the diamonds used to create this tiara might have come from another tiara that had been a wedding present from her father.     

Then, in 1921 Mrs. Greville had that tiara redesigned into a second version, shown below, which became known as the Boucheron Honeycomb Tiara.  The platinum millegrain setting features an intricate “honeycomb” pattern with pave diamonds and large round diamonds set in the center of each section.  This is the version of the tiara that Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother received as part of the inheritance from Mrs. Greville.

Now known as the Greville tiara it became one of the Queen Mother’s favorites which she wore quite frequently.  Then in 1953 the Queen Mother sent the tiara, shown below, to Cartier to be redesigned into a third version.  There was an addition of five raised sections that featured a large marquise diamond with three large round diamonds at the center and four additional sections with each featuring four large round diamonds.   

After the Queen Mother’s death the Greville collection went to her daughter, the present Queen Elizabeth II but she never wore the Greville tiara in public.  Then in 2005 after her marriage to the Prince Charles Camilla, the Duchess of Cornwall was given a long term loan of the Greville tiara and it has now become one of her favorites to wear.  

The Greville Emerald Kokoshnik Tiara

The Emerald Kokoshnik tiara was commissioned in 1919 by Mrs. Greville and was made by Boucheron.  The tiara is designed in a style known as kokoshnik (a traditional Russian headdress) which was a type of tiara popular with the Russian Imperial Family.  The tiara features pave diamonds set in platinum with a large 93.7 carat cabochon-cut emerald in the center and several smaller square-cut emeralds set on either side.  

The Emerald Kokoshnik tiara was part of the Greville jewelry collection that was inherited by the Queen Mother and then Queen Elizabeth II.  The tiara was never worn by either of the two Queens and in fact it was not seen in public for several decades.  Then in 2018, Queen Elizabeth graciously loaned the tiara to her granddaughter to wear for her wedding to Jack Brooksbank, for more information on this British Royal Wedding please click on the link. 

The Greville Festoon Necklace

The Greville Festoon Necklace is perhaps one of the most extravagant pieces from the Greville jewelry collection that was inherited by Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother in 1942.  Mrs. Greville had commissioned Cartier to create the Festoon Necklace in 1929 “repurposing” stones from her previous jewelry.  The original design featured two long strands of diamonds set in platinum; each section of each strand has one large diamond flanked by two smaller diamonds.  A later version of the necklace added an additional shorter three strand necklace; the two pieces (the two strands and the three strands) worn together make a stunning necklace but look equally impressive if worn separately.

After the Queen Mother received the Festoon Necklace it became one of her favorite pieces and she would often were the three strand necklace by itself but for a special occasions she would “dress to impress” by wearing all five strands together with the Greville Tiara.  As she got older the Queen Mother and became frailer she would most often wear only the three strand necklace so as not to overwhelm her small stature.  When the Queen Mother passed away in 2002, the Greville jewelry collection went to her daughter, Queen Elizabeth II. 

After her marriage to Prince Charles, the Queen has given a long term loan of the Festoon Necklace to Camilla, the Duchess of Cornwall.  Much like the Queen Mother, the necklace has become one of her favorite pieces and looks very impressive when paired with the Greville Tiara.    

The Greville Ruby and Diamond Floral Bandeau Necklace

Mrs. Greville originally purchased the Ruby and Diamond Floral Bandeau Necklace from Boucheron in 1907.  The intricate floral design of the necklace features rubies and diamonds set in silver and gold and finished with a diamond pendant. 

After the necklace came into the possession of Queen Elizabeth (later known as the Queen Mother) she eventually gave it to her oldest daughter, Princess Elizabeth (later to become Queen Elizabeth II) as a wedding gift when she married Prince Phillip (later known as the Duke of Edinburgh) in 1947. During the 1950s, the newly crowned Queen Elizabeth wore the Rudy and Diamond Bandeau Necklace frequently for her evening engagements but the deep V of the necklace design with the added length of the diamond pendant made it a difficult piece to wear with her evening dresses.  Despite having it shortened, by the 1980s she wore the necklace less often. 

Then in 2017 the Queen loaned the necklace to Catherine, the Duchess of Cambridge who paired it beautifully with a blush pink evening gown.   

The Greville Emerald and Diamond Necklace

It has been speculated that the Greville Emerald Necklace was created from emeralds that were once part of a necklace that belonged to Empress Josephine and the diamonds came from a necklace once owned by Marie Antoinette.  This might be an embellished story originating from Mrs. Greville to add even more significance to the impressive necklace.  The Greville Emerald Necklace design featured large square-cut emeralds surrounded by diamonds linked together with a central large rectangular-cut emerald pendant.    

The Greville Emerald Necklace was another beautiful item from the jewelry collection that was inherited by the Queen Mother in 1942 upon the death of Mrs. Greville.  The Queen Mother wore the Greville Emerald Necklace often for state banquets or other important engagements.  The Queen Mother wore it was for a formal portrait in 1990 as seen below with her daughter, Princess Margaret and two of her grandchildren, Prince Andrew and Princess Anne.

The Greville jewelry collection was inherited by Queen Elizabeth in 2002 after the death of the Queen Mother and she has not worn the Greville Emerald Necklace since that time.  Recently it was thought that the necklace she wore to a diplomatic reception at Buckingham Palace in 2019 was made from the Greville Necklace.  The 10 square-shaped emeralds surrounded by diamonds looks very familiar but with the addition of 10 emerald drops.  The Queen wore this new necklace with the Vladimir tiara which was also set with emerald drops that she paired with emerald and diamond earrings.     

The Greville Chandelier Earrings

The Greville Chandelier Earrings were made for Mrs. Greville by Cartier in an Art Deco style and feature diamonds in several different cuts and shapes including emerald, square, pear, baguette and more in a platinum setting.  The earrings were part of the Greville jewelry collection inherited by Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother in 1942 upon the death of Mrs. Greville.

When Princess Elizabeth (later to become Queen Elizabeth II) married in 1947 she was given the Greville Chanelier Earrings as a wedding gift from her parents.  Shown below is a 1953 photo of the newly crowned Queen Elizabeth wearing the earrings with the Diamond Diadem. 

Throughout the years the Greville Chandelier Earrings have become one of the Queen’s favorite pieces of jewelry wearing them quite frequently for evening engagements.  

The Greville Peardrop Earrings

The Greville Peardrop earrings were made for Mrs.Greville in 1938 by Cartier and feature two pear-shaped diamonds weighing over 20 carats which are suspended from emerald-cut and pentagonal diamonds and set in platinum.

After Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother inherited the Greville Peardrop Earrings became one of her favorite pieces from the grevillea jewelry collection and she wore them very often.  Upon the Queen Mother’s death in 2002 the Greville Peardrop Earrings were inherited to Queen Elizabeth.        

So, these are just a few of the pieces from the Greville jewelry collection that have been worn by the British Royal family since they were inherited from Mrs. Greville after her death in 1942.

Movie Costumes – Titanic

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In this post I will discuss the costumes worn in the 1997 Titanic film by director James Cameron.  The movie blends the tragic history of the sinking of the RMS Titanic during its maiden voyage with the fictional romantic love story of Jack Dawson and Rose DeWitt Bukater as played by Leonard DiCaprio and Kate Winslet.  The film was both a critical and commercial success winning 11 Academy Awards including Best Picture, Best Director for Cameron and Best Costume Design for Deborah Scott. 

For this post I will specifically focus on the dresses worn by the character of Rose.  The film is set in 1912 which was a time when first class women passengers were expected to travel on a transatlantic trip with an extensive wardrobe required because of the multiple changes per day that were needed according to the various social activities on board the ship.  There were traveling dresses or tailored suits worn when arriving at the departure port or disembarking at their destination, dresses worn in the morning when in the stateroom or while walking on deck, afternoon dresses worn for lunch or tea and of course elegant evening dresses worn for the formal dinners held each night in the grand dining room.  Several sets of undergarments would also be needed for dressing, starting with a chemise and bloomers worn under a corset and then a camisole, petticoat and stockings. Numerous accessories were usually needed to coordinate with each outfit and would include coats, shawls, shoes, gloves, hats and jewelry.  In addition, clothes for sleeping and silken robes to be worn when relaxing in the stateroom would complete the items of clothing required for first class women’s travel wardrobe.

Fashion Note:  Several of the beaded evening dresses worn by the character of Rose in the Titanic movie would be a great inspiration for a bridal dress for a formal wedding.  In fact the black beaded dress with the silk coral underskirt was duplicated in white for the final dream/heaven scene at the end of the film.  In addition, some of the less embellished dresses, such as the white chiffon with the pink sash, would be great style for a bride or bridesmaid dress for a spring or summer wedding. 

TAILORED SUIT

When arriving at a port to embark on an ocean voyage first class woman passengers would often wear their best tailored suit, these type of outfits were also a sensible choice for strolling on board the ship while in the colder climate of the North Atlantic.  A tailored suit, sometimes known as a traveling or walking suit, consisted of a straight “hobble” skirt that tapered to a narrow opening at the ankles thereby restricting movement. Matching jackets would extend over the hips and were often cut asymmetrical to further the illusion of length. White blouse were most often worn underneath, pin tucks or ruffles were sometimes added a feminine element to the severe suit style. 

Rose’s pin-striped traveling suit

In the beginning of the Titanic film a scene shows a women emerging from a car but her face is hidden under a rather large hat.  The dark straw hat features a wide brim with an enormous striped ribbon bow and as she raises her head to look at the towering ship we see that it is Rose.  The pin-striped tailored suit she is wearing features a straight narrow skirt and a matching long jacket with a dark velvet notched lapel accented with a dark belt at the waist, a white blouse with a rounded collar is worn underneath with a black tie; Rose completes her traveling ensemble by wearing sensible shoes, white leather gloves and carrying a parasol.

Movie Note: The large brimmed hat with the elaborate embellishment was a popular trend during the early 1900s and in the film this fashion choice really added to the drama of the scene as the character of Rose is revealed for the first time.

DAY DRESSES, SHAWLS AND COATS

While on board ship, the first class women passengers would continue to take extra care when dressing for lunch or tea since it would be another opportunity to show their high status in society and also their wealth by wearing the latest Parisian fashions.  Day dresses were generally made of silk or cotton material and featured long slim skirts that tapered at the ankles and often had long fitted sleeves.  Sometimes, for colder weather, these dresses would be worn with a matching wool jacket or coat for perhaps a beautiful shawl or luxurious fur coat for the older women.  

Movie Note: To visually aid in contrasting the distinction between the upper class and refined Rose and the lower working class Jack, she wears colorful dresses made in fine fabrics featuring lace and embroidery to define her upper class style while he wears drab brown colored trousers and well-worn shirts.   

Rose’s green lace dress

For lunch on the first full day at sea Rose is in the opulent dining room and she is feeling slightly bored by the dull conversation at the table and also confined by the social restrictions demanded by her mother and fiancé.  She abruptly leaves the table and goes to the ship’s upper class deck to clear her head and it is while standing at the railing looking out to sea that Jack sees her for the first time from below on the third class deck, He is intrigued by her beauty and Rose appears very poised and slightly aloof while she notices Jack staring at her. 

In these scenes, for the cooler North Atlantic climate, Rose is wearing a lovely green day dress with sensible long sleeves and an ankle length skirt featuring layers of beautiful lace, a bold wide red sash with a large fabric rose accents her trim waist.

Rose’s blue velvet dress and silk embroidered shawl

After a misunderstanding, Rose once again goes in search of Jack on board the ship to apologize for her behavior.  She finds him at the front of the ship as the sun is beginning to set over the North Atlantic.  To encourage Rose’s newfound feeling of freedom and to share in the pure joy of the moment, Jack has Rose climb the railing at the bow of the ship to let her experience the unique feeling of seemingly soaring over ocean.  This scene filmed with the background of the dramatic twilight lighting has become one of the most memorable and romantic of the movie.

For this iconic scene Rose is wearing a beautiful blue velvet dress with an ankle length skirt, long sleeves and lace detail at the bodice, worn over the dress is an ivory silk fringed shawl.  The color of the dress is a lovely contrast against her pale porcelain white skin and her stunning red hair. 

Rose’s white chiffon, pink sash dress and pink coat

After a scandalous rendezvous in Rose’s stateroom where Jack sketches her posing nude while wearing the extravagant “heart of the ocean” necklace (more on that piece of jewelry at the end of this post!) the couple is discovered and escape running into the various lower portions of the ship until they emerge onto the deck just in time to see the ship collide with an iceberg.  Rose and Jack return to the stateroom to inform her mother that the ship is sinking and the passengers are being evacuated.  Meanwhile her fiancé, after learning that Rose and Jack are now romantically involved, in a jealous rage unjustly accuses Jack of stealing the “heart of the ocean” necklace.  Throughout their remaining hours on board the sinking Titanic Rose and Jack are separated numerous times and they struggle to remain together until the ship goes down in the frigid waters of the north Atlantic Ocean.

In these final scenes of the film Rose is wearing an ethereal multi-layered white silk chiffon dress accented with shades of lavender layered across the bodice, light and darker pink silk sashes are draped around the high waist, tied and cascade down the back of the dress.  Then, as the passengers prepare to board the lifeboats, Rose is seen wearing a full length coat over her white dress as protection from the cold.  The coat is made of pink wool which is lined in matching pink silk and features black silk braiding at the collar and cuffs.  Rose eventually takes off the coat as the water begins to flood the ship as she searches for Jack.  When the couple is reunited and they return on deck Jack has gallantly gives Rose his long dark coat (more on the importance of the coat later in this post!)   

Movie Note:  Much like the fashion choice used in the film with the dramatic reveal of Rose hidden by the large hat, the dress she wears during these final scenes of the sinking of the Titanic was probably used to convey a subtle meaning.  At this point in the story Rose has rejected the social restrictions set by her mother and fiancé and must importantly she feels happiness in her love for Jack.  The white chiffon dress was an important choice because it appears so much lighter in style without the heavy embellishments of Rose’s other dresses worn earlier in the film and this helps to convey the change in her newfound feeling of freedom.   

EVENING DRESSES

During the long Victorian Era (1837 to 1901) women’s fashions were more modest in style with high collars and long sleeves, full skirts worn with several layers of heavy petticoats or crinoline and waistlines pulled in with uncomfortable corsets to achieve the desired hourglass silhouette.  Then, during the shorter period of time known as the Edwardian Era (1901 to 1910) the style of women’s fashions became more relaxed with narrower skirts worn with a single petticoat and less restricting corsets to create a long and slim silhouette.  The elegant evening dresses were more daring with lower necklines and shorter sleeves, these dresses were made with luxurious rich fabric such as silk and embellished with heavy beading and netting.   

Rose’s black and red evening dress

In a dramatic scene when a distraught Rose is holding onto the railing of the Titanic and contemplating jumping, Jack gallantly saves her and this is the moment when they first meet and their love story begins.

In this scene Rose is wearing a stunning black and red evening dress that features a narrow skirt, high waist and cap sleeves.  The dress is made of a rich red satin material with an overlay of black tulle netting that is embellished with embroidery and beading.

Rose’s black and deep coral evening dress

After the ordeal of Rose almost jumping, Jack receives an invitation to dine in the upper class section of the ship as a thank you for his rescuing her.  Jack is loaned a formal tuxedo since his lower class clothing would not be acceptable in the opulent dining room where the tables were set with crisp white linens, bone china, crystal glassware and numerous silverware. Later Rose and Jack join a festive and very lively party below deck in the lower class section of the ship

For these scenes Rose is wearing another beautiful evening dress.  The dress is made of a lovely deep coral taffeta with overlapping layers of black netting that is heavily embroidered and beaded. To complement her ensemble Rose is wearing long white gloves, a diamond necklace and earrings, her long red hair is worn in a loose bun and intertwined within her curls are long strands of beading to match the dress.     

Rose’s white beaded evening dress

In the final scene of the movie, in a heavenly dream we see the young Rose being reunited with Jack back on board the Titanic.  As the camera moves around the area of the grand staircase the couple is surrounded by a crowd of people, including the ship’s captain, the crew and several passengers who had all perished when the ship sank in 1912.

For this scene Rose is wearing a duplicate of the black and coral evening gown but this version is made of white taffeta and white beading, her hair is worn in loose curls.    

JEWLERY

Rose’s enameled butterfly hair comb

When watching a report on the artifacts that are discovered among the wreckage of the RMS Titanic, an elderly Rose is shocked when she sees Jack’s sketch of her that was done so many years ago and she makes arrangements to be flown out to the research ship.  As she looks at the items retrieved from the bottom of the Atlantic Ocean she picks up a lovely enameled butterfly hair comb that she had worn during her time on the Titanic … and the memories start to come back to her and she begins to tell the story on what happened on that fateful maiden voyage.

Rose can be seen wearing the butterfly hair comb in the iconic romantic scene when she is at the bow of the Titanic.  The Art Nouveau design of the hair comb was a popular style during the late 19th and early 20th century and frequently featured very artistic designs of all different types of flora and fauna.  In this case the tortoiseshell hair comb had a large butterfly that was probably made in celluloid or glass cabochon in a lovely jade color and then hand finished with enamel detailing.

Movie Note:  There were actually two different butterfly hair combs used in the Titanic film, one is made to look like it was just bought by Rose during a shopping trip to Paris or London while the second one has an aged and worn look because it was supposed have been found in the ship’s wreckage at the bottom of the Atlantic Ocean.

Heart of the Ocean necklace

While on the ship, Cal (Rose’s fiancé) has presented her with a stunning necklace known as the “Heart of the Ocean”. This is the same piece of jewelry that is worn when Rose scandalously asks Jack to sketch her in the nude.  The necklace is also used for a pivotal moment in the story when Cal unjustly accuses Jack of attempting to “steal” the priceless necklace. 

The “Heart of the Ocean” necklace in the Titanic film was inspired by the famous Hope Diamond (for more information, please watch for an upcoming post on this blog).  The necklace in the story was supposed to be a 171 carat heart-shaped Ceylon sapphire surrounded by 103 diamonds and set in platinum.  In fact, the prop necklace was made by Asprey & Garrard and features a large blue cubic zirconia to simulate the sapphire and clear cubic zirconia to simulate the diamonds set in white gold.     

Spoiler Alert: It is later, after Jack has died, and Rose is onboard the rescue ship that she reaches into the pocket of the coat that Jack had graciously given to her to protect her against cold temperature as the Titanic sank in the water of the North Atlantic Ocean.  She is shocked at the discovery but interestingly in all the years following the tragedy she never tells anyone that she has the expensive necklace!

After the success of the Titanic film, the Asprey & Garrard Jewelers created a duplicate Heart of the Ocean necklace which was donated to Sotheby’s auction house for an auction with a portion of the proceeds benefiting the Diana, Princess of Wales Memorial Fund.  This version of the Heart of the Ocean necklace was eventually donated to the Charlestown Shipwreck & Heritage Center (formerly known as the National Shipwreck Museum) located in Charleston, Cornwall in England where it can be currently seen on display.  

Movie Note:  It is the “Heart of the Ocean” necklace that the research crew is trying to find in the wreckage of the RMS Titanic.  In a very controversial scene at the end of the film, the elderly Rose steps onto the railing of the research ship and the “Heart of the Ocean” necklace slips through her hands and falls into the water of the North Atlantic Ocean. 

It is almost the exact spot where the doomed Titanic had hit an iceberg on the night of April 14 and sank within a few hours in the early morning of April 15 while making its first transatlantic voyage from Southampton, England to New York City in 1912.  Sadly, an estimated 1500 of the approximately 2200 passengers and crew died making it one of the worst marine disasters in modern history. 

A British Royal Bride – Princess Elizabeth

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Last week, in the another post on the ongoing series on British Royal Weddings, I featured the wedding of Princess Elizabeth (Queen Elizabeth II) and Philip Mountbatten (the Duke of Edinburgh); they were married on November 20, 1947 at Westminster Abbey in London, England.  In this post, I will discuss the bridal dress and accessories which Princess Elizabeth wore on her wedding day and I will also discuss some of the jewelry that she received as wedding gifts from Prince Philip as well as other members of the Royal family.

Princess Elizabeth’s Wedding Dress and Bridal Accessories 

It has been said that Norman Hartnell, the designer of Princess Elizabeth’s wedding dress, took inspiration from the Italian Renaissance painting “La Primavera” by Sandro Botticelli. The painting was created to commemorate the 1482 wedding of Lorenzo di Pierfrancesco, a cousin of Lorenzo Medici and depicts the coming of Spring.  It features several mythical characters such as Venus, Zephyrus, Mercury, Flora, the Three Graces and even Cupid.  (The “La Primavera” painting is currently on display in the Uffizi Art Museum located in Florence, Italy)

“La Primavera” painting by Sandro Botticelli

At the time of Princess Elizabeth’s wedding England was still recovering from World War II with rationing still enforced due to shortages and import restrictions.  It has been noted that many people sent in their own clothing ration coupons so that Princess Elizabeth could purchase the material for a wedding gown but because it was illegal to use rations issued to another person the coupons were returned.  To make a wedding dress which was appropriate for the heir to the throne, the British government issued Princess Elizabeth 200 extra coupons to help defray the cost.

Because of the lingering hostilities toward Germany, Japan and Italy, Hartnell made sure that no materials were used from those countries when he created Princess Elizabeth’s wedding gown.  He designed a beautiful ivory silk satin dress embellished with embroidery and thousands of crystals and pearls imported from the United States.  Known for incorporating elaborate embroidery, Hartnell’s dress design featured jasmine, smilax, lilac, wheat and roses.  The silk tulle 15 feet train was embellished with embroidered and a beaded pattern of wheat and roses with appliqué duchess satin stars, the train was attached to the shoulders.  (Special Note: Hartnell would later design the dress for Queen Elizabeth II Coronation dress in 1953)

Princess Elizabeth’s wedding dress on display

The embroidered and beaded details of Princess Elizabeth’s wedding dress

The embroidered and beaded details of Princess Elizabeth’s wedding veil

Special Note: Unfortunately in the decades that followed, the silk material used to make Princess Elizabeth’s wedding dress has deteriorated from the weight of the embroidery and beading.  Special care is taken by the curators of the British Royal Collection to preserve the wedding dress and occasionally it will go on display for the public to view.

On her wedding day Princess Elizabeth completed her bridal ensemble by wearing shoes made by Rayne.  The company was originally founded in 1899 as a theatrical costumier and later in the 1920s they created a line of couture shoes.  The wedding shoes made for Princess Elizabeth featured a sling back, open toe, medium high heel sandal made of ivory duchess satin with silver buckles and pearl accents.

Princess Elizabeth’s wedding veil 

Princess Elizabeth wore a silk tulle 13 foot veil that was slightly shorten in length then the dress train which created a beautiful yet soft effect.  The veil was attached to her head by the diamond Fringe Tiara that was the “something borrowed” and had originally belonged to her grandmother Queen Mary.  Just before leaving Buckingham Palace for Westminster Abbey the tiara unfortunately broke but luckily the court jeweler was able to repair the damage.

Princess Elizabeth’s wedding veil and the Fringe Tiara

The Queen Mary Fringe Tiara

Speical Note:  The Queen Mary Fringe Tiara was made by Garrard & Co. in 1919 from the diamonds of a necklace previously given to then Princess May of Teck (later Queen Mary) as a wedding present from Queen Victoria.  The tiara has 47 bars of diamonds with smaller diamond spikes.  In 1936, Queen Mary gave the tiara to her daughter-in-law Princess Elizabeth the Duchess of York (later Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother).

Princess Elizabeth’s wedding bouquet

The wedding bouquet that Princess Elizabeth carried on her wedding day was created by Martin Longman, a British florist (Longman would later create the Coronation bouquet for Queen Elizabeth II in 1953).  Princess Elizabeth’s wedding bouquet was made of white orchids and a sprig of myrtle, a royal custom started during the time of Queen Victoria.  The day after the wedding, according to the royal wedding tradition set by the bride’s mother in 1923, the bouquet was placed upon the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Westminster Abbey.  (Special Note:  Many years later an identical copy of the bridal bouquet was made and presented to Queen Elizabeth II at the time of her Golden wedding anniversary in 1997)

Prince Philip and Princess Elizabeth on their wedding day

Princess Elizabeth’s bridal bouquet placed on the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier

Princess Elizabeth’s bridal jewelry

On her wedding day, Princess Elizabeth wore two pearl necklaces. The shorter one was known as the Queen Anne necklace, possibly belonging to the last Stuart Queen of England.  The longer one was known as the Queen Caroline necklace which had belonged to the wife of King George II.  Both necklaces became the possession of Queen Victoria and upon her death they were left them to the Crown.  Prior to the wedding day King George VI, the bride’s father, gave them to Princess Elizabeth as a wedding present.

Princess Elizabeth’s pearl necklaces

The pearl and diamond earrings that Princess Elizabeth wore on her wedding day were a 20th birthday present from her grandmother, Queen Mary, who had originally inherited them from her mother, Princess Mary Adelaide of (Cambridge) Teck.

Princess Elizabeth’s pearl and diamond earrings

Prince Philip’s wedding gift for his bride was a beautiful diamond bracelet.  Like the engagement ring he had previously commissioned, the bracelet was created from diamonds from a tiara that had once belonged to his mother, the Princess Andrew of Greece and Denmark.  The bracelet featured several links design in a geometric pattern with three large center diamonds set in platinum.

Princess Elizabeth’s diamond bracelet

In the years that followed Princess Elizabeth (later Queen Elizabeth II) wore the sentimental bracelet for many formal occasions including for the official Diamond Jubilee photographs take in 2012 to commemorate that significant event.  Most recently, the queen has loaned the bracelet to the Duchess of Cambridge who wore it when she attended her first state banquet in 2015.

Official Diamond Jubilee portrait of Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip taken in 2012

Princess Elizabeth’s bridesmaids

The bridesmaids’ dresses were also made by Norman Hartnell, they were a tulle gown with an embroidered and beaded floral design and a matching tulle wrap fastened with a bow.  The bridesmaids wore hair wreaths of white wheat sheaves and lilies made of white satin and silver lame, they also carried bouquets of white orchids similar in style to the bride’s bouquet.  The two young pages that carried the train of Princess Elizabeth’s wedding dress wore Royal Stewart tartan kilts.

   Princess Margaret – the principal bridesmaid at her sister’s wedding

British Royal Brides Wedding Dress Hidden Messages

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The wedding dress hidden message trend has been used throughout the years (centuries) and sometimes a bride will include a hidden sentimental touch to her wedding dress by incorporating a monogram, the wedding date or a blue silk thread for her “something blue”.  Most recently the hidden message trend has become very popular with today’s modern brides. For some inspiration I will discuss several British Royal brides, such as Queen Victoria, Queen Elizabeth, Catherine Middleton, Meghan Markle and Princess Eugenie that have incorporated hidden messages into their wedding dresses with their choice of fabric selections, embroidery embellishments or dress designs. 

Queen Victoria

Queen Victoria was known in her later years as always wearing black mourning after her beloved Prince Albert died but she also set many wedding trends such as wearing a white wedding dress to the Royal tradition of adding myrtle to a wedding bouquet.  As Queen Victoria prepared for her marriage to Prince Albert in February 1840 she made many decisions about her wedding dress based on personal and political reasons.

The first fashion decision Queen Victoria made was a personal choice for the color of her wedding dress.  At the time most Royal brides had most often worn wedding dresses made of the finest fabric embellished with precious gold or silver threads to reflect their elite status.  It is possible that for this reason Queen Victoria selected a simple white cream fabric because she wanted to convey a hidden message to her future husband that although he was marrying the British monarch she was still just a woman who was marrying the man she loved.  Special Note: Since that time, based on Queen Victoria’s unique color choice, the white wedding dress became very popular for many generations of brides and throughout the years it has come to mean innocence and purity which are virtues long associated with the Victorian era.

Queen Victoria also selected the Spitafields silk fabric as a hidden message in promoting the British manufacturer for political and economic reasons since with the onset of mechanical looms that mass produced cheaper and inferior quality fabric made available for the middle and lower classes which ultimately affected the English silk industry and caused sales to dramatically decline.       

Queen Victoria’s wedding dress on display – photo from the Royal Collection trust

Queen Victoria’s choice of lace was also selected as a hidden message for political and economic reasons.  The fashion style of the time used imported Brussels lace but because Queen Victoria was the monarch of England she also wanted to promote and revive the failing British Honiton lace industry.  Honiton lace was used for the trim on her wedding dress and also for her bridal veil. 

Queen Victoria’s wedding veil – photo from the Royal Collection Trust

Another hidden message, to perhaps remind Prince Albert that although he was marrying a queen she was still just a woman marrying the man she loved, Queen Victoria made a personal choice to wear a wreath of orange blossoms to secure her veil to her head instead of a Royal crown or tiara that would befit her status as monarch. 

For more detailed information about the wedding of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert and also Queen Victoria, a British Royal Bride please click on the links.

Queen Elizabeth II (formerly Princess Elizabeth)

Much like her great-great grandmother Queen Victoria, when the young Princess Elizabeth (later to become Queen Elizabeth II) married Prince Phillip in 1947 she also made many decisions about her wedding dress based on personal and political reasons.  At the time of her wedding Britain was still recovering from World War II and rationing of food and other goods was still in effect so the British government issued Princess Elizabeth 200 extra coupons to help defray the cost.  A political decision was made by the Palace, that in order to boost the morale of the country, Princess Elizabeth’s wedding would be a national event with all pomp and circumstances expected for the heir to the British throne. 

Another political reason which was a hidden message was the selection of the material for Princess Elizabeth’s wedding dress.  Silk material made in Britain from the silkworms imported from China, not wartime enemies such as Japan and Italy, was used.  Also the crystals and pearls used for the wedding dress embellishments were imported from the United States.

Princess Elizabeth made a personal decision with the fashion designer Norman Hartnell when it came to the style of her wedding dress and she selected a romantic dress design inspired by the Italian Renaissance painting “La Primavera” by Botticelli.  Known for incorporating elaborate embroidery, Hartnell designed Princess Elizabeth’s beautiful ivory silk satin dress with a hidden message of renewal and hope that featured flowers such as jasmine, smilax, lilac, wheat and roses.  The silk tulle train was also embellished with an embroidered and beaded pattern of wheat and roses with appliqué duchess satin stars. 

Princess Elizabeth’s wedding dress on display – photo from the Royal Collection Trust

Embroidery and bead details of Princess Elizabeth’s wedding dress

Embroidery and bead details of Princess Elizabeth’s wedding veil

For more detailed information about the wedding of Princess Elizabeth and Prince Phillip and also Princess Elizabeth, a British Royal Bride please click on the link.

Katherine Middleton (now the Duchess of Cambridge)

When Katherine Middleton married Prince William in 2011 she worked closely with Sarah Burton of Alexander McQueen to design her lovely wedding dress, in keeping with the Royal bridal tradition Katherine had selected a British designer.  In a subtle hidden message to honor the four countries of the United Kingdom, the national emblems were incorporated into the lovely floral lace design of Katherine’s wedding dress; the rose for England, the daffodil for Wales, the thistle for Scotland and the shamrock for Ireland. 

Katherine Middleton’s wedding dress on display – photo from the Royal Collection Trust

Katherine Middleton’s wedding dress lace details

In a sweet hidden message in accordance with the Old English rhyme, “something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue, and a silver sixpence in her shoe.”, for good luck Katherine had requested that a blue ribbon be sewn into the bodice of her wedding dress. (For more detailed information about Katherine Middleton, a British Royal Bride, please check back later on this blog for a future post)

For more detailed information about the wedding of Prince William and Katherine Middleton please click on the link.

Meghan Markle

When Meghan Markle married Prince Harry in 2018 she selected the British designer Clare Waight Keller of Givenchy to design her elegant wedding dress.  To compliment the simplicity of the wedding dress, Meghan’s bridal veil was designed with delicate embroidery.  In a hidden message to honor the United Kingdom, Meghan had requested the flowers representing each of the 53 countries of the Commonwealth would be incorporated into the design of the bridal veil. 

Meghan Markle’s wedding dress on display – photo from the Royal Collection Trust

Meghan Markle’s wedding veil

Meghan Markle’s wedding veil details

Meghan also had the designer include two very personal hidden messages into the design of her bridal veil.  As an American-born bride and to honor the state where she was born Meghan requested that the California poppy be embroidered onto the bridal veil.  In addition, Meghan had the designer also include a very sentimental hidden message and a small piece of fabric from the dress that she wore on her first date with Prince Harry was sewn into the veil as her “something blue”.

For more detailed information about the wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle and An American Bride – Meghan Markle, please click on the links.

Princess Eugenie

When Princess Eugenie became engaged Jack Brooksbank one of the first decisions she made was that her wedding dress would be designed with a low back to show the surgery scar that she had to correct her scoliosis. Since the surgery was such a defining moment in her life as a significant medical condition she overcame, Eugenie also decided not to wear a wedding veil so that the scar would be visible. 

The beautiful wedding dress Eugenie wore for her wedding in 2018 was designed by British-based designers Peter Pilotto and Christopher De Vos.  The fabric was custom made with several hidden messages incorporated into the design; the York rose to honor her father’s Royal heritage, the shamrock to honor her mother’s Irish heritage, the thistle to honor the bridal couple’s love for Balmoral in Scotland and lastly the ivy to represent the their home at Kensington Palace known as Ivy Cottage. 

Princess Eugenie’s wedding dress

Princess Eugenie also request an additional sentimental hidden message and she had the designers sew Mrs. Brooksbank into the lining of her wedding gown.

For more detailed information about the wedding of Princess Eugenie and Jack Brooksbank please click on the link.

Movie Costumes – White Christmas

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This month the classic “White Christmas” movie from Paramount Pictures premiered 65 years ago in 1954 featuring the songs of Irving Berlin and starring Bing Crosby (as Bob Wallace) with Danny Kaye (as Phil Davis), Rosemary Clooney (as Betty Haynes) and Vera-Ellen (as Judy Haynes).

In this post I will be discussing the movie costumes designed by Edith Head for the White Christmas film, specifically six dresses worn by actresses Rosemary Clooney and Vera-Ellen.  Mrs. Head was a famous costume designer who worked at Paramount Pictures for 44 years before moving onto Universal Pictures.  (For more information, please look for a future post about the eight time Academy Award winner Edith Head and her illustrious career designing for some of the most beautiful women in Hollywood)

Special Note: Any of these six dress designs from the White Christmas film could be a great inspiration for a bridal gown or bridesmaid dress.  In particular the two black evening gowns, when made in white, would be very sexy bridal gowns while the blue lace and pink chiffon dresses would be lovely bridesmaid dresses for a spring/summer wedding and the green velvet dress would be a beautiful bridesmaid dress for a fall/winter wedding.

The Blue Lace Dress (“Sisters”)

This is the first time in the film that we see the characters of Betty and Judy Haynes preforming at a local Miami nightclub to a song appropriately called “Sisters”.

The Haynes sisters are wearing matching blue lace dresses which featured a high neckline, long sleeves, a fitted bodice and a full skirt with layers of crinolines.  To complete their ensemble the sisters are wearing long blue gloves to match the dresses and they are carrying large blue feathered fans that are used very artfully during the musical number.  

Special Note:  The blue lace dress would be a great inspiration for a bridesmaids dress but I would suggest a round open neckline instead and perhaps skipping the matching blue gloves and feather fans!

The Pink Chiffon Dress (“The Best Things Happen While You’re Dancing”)

 “The Best Things” musical number takes place outside the nightclub on the docks (it is one of my personal favorite scenes in the movie).  Judy is wearing a lovely pale pink chiffon dress that features a high neckline, large billowy sleeves, a tight bodice with a criss-cross detail and a full skirt with a darker pink crinoline shown underneath.  Phil in dressed in a grey suit with a white shirt and black tie, he is also wearing matching grey socks and grey shoes.

Bonus Dress: Betty is wearing a sexy periwinkle chiffon dress with a matching wrap.

Special Note:  Either the pink or periwinkle chiffon dresses would be a wonderful inspiration for a bridesmaid dress for a spring or summer wedding.  Also, the grey suit worn by Phil would be a great style for a groom, best man or usher.

The Black Sequin Dress (“Minstrel Number”)

For the full dress rehearsal of the Minstrel musical number Betty is wearing a black sequin long dress with just a peak of red showing at the daring strapless sweetheart neckline and, as you can see in the second photo below, at the back of the dress is a red tulle train.  Betty’s ensemble is completed with red sequin gloves and red sparkly bangles.      

Special Note:  For a formal evening wedding the black sequin long dress would be a great style for a white bridal gown.  The train at the back could be made in sparkle white tulle or if the bride wants a more colorful look and a touch of something blue she can use blue tulle!

The Green Velvet Dress

At the “fake” engagement party for Phil and Judy, Betty wears a dark green velvet dress with a very simple but elegant style.  The dress features cap sleeves, a tight bodice and a full skirt, detailing at the v-neck front and back of the dress add an interesting element.   

Special Note:  The dark green velvet dress would be a perfect style for a bridesmaid dress for a fall or winter wedding, the color and the type of fabric would be very suitable for the season.

The Black Long Dress (“Love, You Didn’t Do Right by Me”)

For the sultry “Love, You Didn’t Do Right by Me” musical number in the Carousel Nightclub Betty is wearing a sexy black velvet “fit and flair” long dress which features a daring deep v-neckline at the front and back, to complete the ensemble she is wearing long white silk gloves.   The best surprise of the dress is when Betty turns away from the camera to reveal the large rhinestone brooch pinned very low at the back of the dress!       

Special Note:  The style of the black “fit and flare” dress would be stunning made in white velvet for an evening winter wedding … and don’t forget to add a large rhinestone brooch pinned to the back!

Movie Note:  During the musical number in the nightclub one of the dancers in the scene is a young George Chakiris.  Seven years later he would go on to play the character Bernardo in the 1961 movie, “West Side Story”, he won an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for his work in the film.

The Red Satin and White Fur Dress (“White Christmas”)

For the musical finale of the White Christmas movie both Betty and Judy are wearing long red satin dresses with a full skirt and trimmed with white fur.  If you look closely there are some variations of the two dresses, Betty’s featured a narrow shawl collar with a large red berry and gold leaf brooch while Judy’s dress has a high collar neckline and a small cape trimmed with white fur.  To complete their outfits both are wearing red satin gloves and white fur muffs.        

Special Note:  The style of the dress worn for the “White Christmas” finale musical number would be a great inspiration for a bridal dress for a winter wedding.  Just image how a white satin and white fur trimmed bridal dress would look for an evening wedding!

Wedding Cake Topper Ideas and Suggestions

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As I had previously mentioned in the post regarding the History of Wedding Cakes, wedding cake toppers before the 20th century were generally made by a pastry chef or wedding cake baker and handcrafted from frosting, gum paste, marzipan or occasionally non-edible materials, such as plaster of Paris.  These vintage cake toppers reflected the wedding theme and were often wedding bells, cupids or lovebird figurines. (For additional information about Wedding Cakes Display Ideas – Part One and Part Two, please click on the links)

Eventually figurines of the bride and the groom were also available.  After World War I and into the 1920s these figurines became popular wedding cake topper.  The bride and groom were generally separate figurines that were custom designed.  These types of figurines were made from paper, glass or wood and then placed on the top layer of the wedding cake. 

1920 wedding cake topper

In 1924, the Sears & Roebuck Company started to sell bride and groom cake toppers made of wax.  The figurines were available with a choice of the bride with or without a fabric wedding veil and the groom with or without a top hat.  These items proved to be very popular and the Sears catalog began to feature an entire page of wedding cake toppers readily available for anyone to purchase.               

Later, as the popularity for wedding cake toppers increased, the figurines started to be mass produced throughout the world.  Bride and groom cake toppers became available in a vast variety of materials, such porcelain and plastic.  Throughout the years wedding cake toppers have taken on many different forms besides the traditional style with a bride wearing a white dress and the groom in any color of tuxedo, even the hair and eye color can be customized. 

The different types of bride and groom figurines used for a wedding cake topper have also reflected the changing world.  During World War II the figurines were often made with the groom wearing a military uniform. Cake toppers are also now available in different ethnicities and in recent years there have been same sex couple figurines.

1940 wedding cake topper

1950 wedding cake topper

1960 wedding cake topper

Wedding cake toppers can also be personalized to reflect a bridal couple’s occupations whether that be a doctor, policemen or fireman.  There are other cake toppers that can depict a couple’s hobbies or sports; such are golfers, rock climbers, scuba divers or baseball or hockey.  Some figurines can also be added to a wedding cake to include a bridal couple’s pets, such as dogs, cats and even horses.

bride and policeman groom cake topper

baseball bride and groom cake topper

a whimsical wooden bride and groom silhouette with a dog and cat

Today a bridal couple can select from an unlimited variety of wedding cake toppers and their selection would depend on their personal preferences and they should take into consideration their wedding colors, theme or the size of the wedding cake. 

Listed below are several ideas and suggestions for wedding cake toppers –

Bride and groom wedding cake topper

The most common type of wedding cake topper is still the bride and groom figurine.  Figurines can be found that reflect the choice of bride’s dress and groom’s tuxedo/suit, the bridal couple’s hair/eye color or their ethnicity.  An unlimited variety of bride & groom cake toppers are available in several different types of materials, such as the classic plastic or resin figurines and fondant figurines made by a bakery or confectioner.  With a search on the internet customized bride & groom cake toppers can also be found made of clay, paper, wood, porcelain or glass.

a classic porcelain bride and groom cake topper

1997 Hallmark Barbie and Ken ornament which was used at our wedding as a cake topper

Special Note:  For a sentimental touch, a vintage wedding cake topper would be a great choice.  It could be a family heirloom saved from a parent or grandparents wedding and would be a wonderful way of adding “something old” or “something borrowed” to the wedding cake.   

Monogram wedding cake topper

A popular wedding cake topper is the monogram which can be a single initial from the bridal couple last name or the bride and groom first initial of their names romantically intertwined.  Monogram cake toppers can be made for any wedding theme and are available in several different types of materials, such as fondant, plastic or resin, metal, wood or glass.  Another beautiful option for a monogram cake topper is one made with real or artificial flowers.

an elegant monogram cake topper

a rustic twig cake topper using the bridal couple’s initials

For more on information, ideas and suggestions about using Monograms for wedding decorations, please click on the link.

Floral wedding cake topper

Floral wedding cake toppers are a great way to add an elegant style to a wedding cake.  The floral cake topper choices are unlimited and the flowers can be either real or artificial.  The selection of flowers or greenery used for a cake topper can be based on the wedding color or theme and can beautifully coordinate with the bride or bridesmaids bouquets or other floral wedding decorations. 

a lovely floral wedding cake topper

Special Note:  Be cautious when selecting real flowers for a cake topper and do not place them directly onto the wedding cake.  If possible place the flowers on a foam piece that could be cover with icing to match the wedding cake or a small container, but be sure to remove the foam piece or container before cutting the cake and serving. Be advised that some flowers can wilt quickly or their pollen could fall onto the wedding cake so it would be advisable to use artificial flowers instead.

Other traditional types of wedding cake toppers

As previously mentioned, the first wedding cake toppers were wedding bells, cupids or lovebird figurines.  These types of cake toppers would be a great alternative to use for a wedding and are still available in a wide variety of materials, such as plastic or glass.

a glass wedding cake topper with bells and love birds

a lovebird wedding cake topper

Please check back later on this blog for a post about unusual wedding cake toppers!

An American Bride – Jaqueline Bouvier Kennedy

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Previously I wrote a post about the Wedding of John Kennedy and Jaqueline Bouvier (known more informally as Jackie) which took place on September 12, 1953.  In this post, I will discuss the wedding dress and bridal accessories which Jackie wore on her wedding.  I will also discuss some of the jewelry that she received as wedding gifts from the groom, her parents and her new in-laws.

Jackie Bouiver’s wedding dress –

The wedding dress of Jackie Bouvier was designed by Ann Lowe and made of ivory silk taffeta and featured an off-the-shoulder neckline, fitted bodice and a very full skirt.  The skirt was embellished with flounces and swirls using 50 yards of crème colored faille (plain weave fabric made of silk with a lustrous finish).  To complete her wedding ensemble, Jackie choose to wear white gloves with the dress.

Jackie Bouvier Kennedy in her wedding dress

Special Note:  Jackie had always said that she intensely disliked the elaborate bridal dress that she wore on her wedding day and felt that it was too much dress for her.  Like most young brides, she had felt pressure from her mother to choose the more traditional style but personally would have preferred a wedding dress with more simple and chic lines.  Then, one week before the wedding disaster struck when the New York showroom of Anne Lowe, the dress designer, suffered severe water damage from a broken pipe.  The wedding dress and the bridesmaids’ dresses were ruined and Lowe and her staff needed to remake all the dresses in less than seven days. (it had previously taken eight weeks for the dresses to be made)

Jackie Bouvier’s wedding veil –

For something borrowed, Jackie wore her Grandmother Lee’s rose point lace veil.  The story behind the veil dates back to 1903 when Jackie’s maternal grandmother, Margaret Merritt wore it for her wedding to James Lee.  After Jackie married John Kennedy, her first cousin Mary Ryan wore the veil in 1957 when she married William Cecil who was the grandson of George Vanderbilt.

Jackie wearing her grandmother’s wedding veil

Special Note: For an additional something borrowed Jackie also carried a lace handkerchief of her mother’s.  For something blue she had the traditional blue garter and for something new she wore a diamond and pearl bracelet which the groom had given to her the night before the wedding (more on her bridal jewelry later).

Jackie Bouvier’s wedding bouquet –

For the wedding ceremony, Jackie carried a small bridal bouquet of pink and white orchids, fragrant gardenias and stephanotis.  Since the end of World War II orchids had become a very popular choice for bridal bouquet in the United States and England.  Near the end of the reception Jackie held the traditional bouquet toss from the stairs in the house at Hammersmith Farm.

John and Jackie Kennedy on their wedding day (please note her lovely bouquet)
and Jackie later at the reception doing the traditional bouquet toss

Jackie Bouvier’s wedding accessories –

As previously mentioned, on the night before the wedding John Kennedy gave Jackie a beautiful diamond and pearl bracelet which she wore on her wedding day.  Jackie also wore a pearl necklace which was a gift from her mother and step-father.  The third item that she wore was a diamond leaf brooch that was a gift from her new in-laws, Joseph and Rose Kennedy.

The diamond and pearl bracket
that John Kennedy gave Jackie Kennedy as a wedding gift

The bridesmaids dresses –

John and Jackie had a rather large wedding party – the best man and nine ushers with a matron and a maid of honor and ten bridesmaids.  The bride’s attendants wore pink taffeta dresses with a round neckline and cap sleeves.

For more information regarding the wedding ceremony and reception of John and Jackie Kennedy please click on the link.

TV Weddings – Downton Abbey

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With the Downton Abbey movie opening in theaters on September 20, 2019 I thought I would revisit the weddings that took place during the six seasons of the popular period drama television series. In this post, I will discuss the wedding dresses worn by the Crawley sisters, Lady Mary and Lady Edith, for both their first and second weddings which took place in seasons three and six.  The third and youngest Crawley sister, Lady Sybil, had eloped and although it was part of the storyline viewers did not see her wedding.  Then, in season five there is the wedding of Lady Rose, the high-spirted second cousin who has come to live at Downton Abbey.  Lady Rose has not one but two bridal outfits and viewers get to see two beautiful bridal outfits, one for the registry office ceremony and another for the evening reception.  I will also discuss the wedding outfits of several of the servants of Downtown Abbey which include Daisy the kitchen maid and Anna Lady Mary’s maid both in season two and in season and Mrs. Hughes housekeeper at Downton Abbey in season six.

But first I would like to start with some brief information about the original series.  Downton Abbey was the wonderful creation of Julian Fellowes (Academy Award winner for best original screenplay for the 2001 movie “Gosford Park).  Gareth Neame of Carnival Films had an idea to produce an Edwardian-era television drama show and approached Fellowes to write the script.  Fellowes had just come off the success of Gosford Park and was reluctant to do another period piece, but he took on the project and wrote an outline for the series which he has said was influenced by Edith Wharton’s book, “The Custom of the Country”.  Downton Abbey first aired in England on ITV in September 26 2010 and then on PBS in the United States as a Masterpiece Classic in January 9 2011.  The sixth and final season has aired in England during the last months of 2015 and during the first months of 2016 in the United States.

As season one and two unfolds Lady Sybil, the youngest Crawley daughter, and Tom Branson share a growing attraction to one another and the couple plans to secretly run away to Gretna Green to elope but they are found by Lady Mary and Lady Edith before the marriage takes place (season two episode 7).  Lord Grantham threatens to disinherit Lady Sybil, but eventually he gives his blessing and the couple is married and move to Ireland as season two comes to an end.  Unfortunately for viewers, the wedding takes place off camera and denied seeing Lady Sybil in her wedding dress.  (Shown below are Lady Sybil and Tom Branson)

In season two episode 5, William had returned from World War I severely injured and he is brought back to Downton.  William asks Daisy to marry him before he dies, this will provide her with hid pension.  Daisy is torn, because she is not truly in love with William but Mr. Mason, William’s father, and Mrs. Patmore, the cook, convince her to do this for William.  The wedding takes place in one of the upstairs bedrooms by the local vicar and the bed is decorated with floral swags and Daisy is wearing her best dress for the ceremony with her hair arranged in a pretty style.  Sadly, William dies a few hours later.  (Shown below are two photos of the wedding ceremony, the one on the left shows a close-up photo of Daisy’s hairstyle)

There is another wedding that involves two of the Downton servants, Mr. Bates and Anna, which takes place during season two in episode 7 Mr. Bates is the personal valet to the Earl of Grantham and Anna is Lady Mary’s maid, the couple falls in love and after several troublesome obstacles they finally get married and the viewers are allowed a quick glimpse of the wedding ceremony but there is no wedding reception.  As Anna herself says, “I’d rather have the right man than the right wedding”.  As was customary for her station in society, for the ceremony at the registry office Anna wears her best outfit which is a starched white blouse, blue skirt, black hat and she carries a bouquet of wildflowers.  (Shown below are two photos of Mr. Bates and Anna on their wedding day)

  

Then, during season three of the Downton Abbey television show there was the weddings of the two remaining Crawley sisters.  The first was the much anticipated wedding of Lady Mary to Matthew Crawley as shown in episode one to start the season.  The wedding ceremony took place at St. Michael and All Angels Church, the local church in the Downton.  Lady Mary’s wedding gown was in fitting with the time period, the third season is set between the years 1920 to 1921, and was custom made under the direction of the Downton Abbey television show’s costume designer, Caroline McCall.  Lady Mary’s gown is an ivory column dress with a dropped waistline, long sheer sleeves and a chapel-length train embellished with lace details, pearl beading and Swarovski crystals.  The Grantham family tiara, a beautiful 45-carat diamond tiara was used to secure a veil and, to complete her bridal ensemble, Lady Mary carried a simple bouquet of white Calla lilies.  (Shown below are several photos of Lady Mary in her wedding dress and with her handsome groom, Matthew)

   

Below are several more photos of the wedding.  The photo on the left shows Cora, the Countess of Grantham and the mother of the bride, flanked by her daughters, Lady Edith and Lady Sybil, all dressed in lovely pastel dresses with hats embellished with artificial flowers and satin ribbons.  The photo on the right shows both of Lady Mary’s grandmothers, the conservative Violet the Dowager Countess and the more flamboyant American-born Martha Levinson wearing her fur and feathers.

  

For episode three of season three, Lady Edith is finally the center of attention as she prepares for her wedding to Anthony Strallan.  Caroline McCall, the Downton Abbey television show’s costume designer, was inspired by a vintage silk train which was embellished with flowers and crystals which would be attached to the shoulders of the dress with embroidered flowers styled to match those on the train.  Based on a similar Lanvin design, the ivory silk dress is softly gathered at the hip with more embroidered flower accents and it is both simple and elegant.  Lady Edith, like her sister, also wore her veil attached with Grantham tiara which was a wonderful tradition commonly done with important pieces of jewelry by members of other aristocratic families.  Sadly, as beautiful she looked on her wedding day, Lady Edith was jilted at the altar by Strallan who did not want to burden her with a life married to an older invalid.  (Shown below are several photos of Lady Edith wearing her lovely wedding gown)

  

  

Below is a photo of Lady Edith with her sisters, Lady Mary and Lady Sybil, before the ill-fated wedding.  Lady Mary is wearing a lovely pastel blue dress and Lady Sybil in a lavender dress, both are wearing hats.

The next Downton wedding to take place was in season five episode 8 and it was the happy occasion of Lady Rose to Atticus Aldridge.  In this episode preparations are underway for the wedding and Lady Rose will be wearing two special bridal outfits, one for the registry office ceremony and another for the grand reception later that night.  The dress for the wedding ceremony was a pastel blue dress with embroidered embellishments inspired by a vintage collar that Caroline McCall, the Downton Abbey costume designer, had found in Paris.  The hat was decorated with preserved real roses done by the wardrobe department’s milliner.  The second dress for the reception was also a vintage find at a shop in London and it was a beautiful ivory silk tulle dress with gold beading and worn with matching silk opera-length gloves.  Two of the preserved roses were pinned behind Lady Rose’s ears and more of the roses were used to create a wedding bouquet with little vintage wax flowers, pearls and gilded ferns.  (Shown below are several photos of Lady Rose wearing her two wedding outfits)

  

During season six there is a trio of special weddings during the final season of Downton Abbey.  The first takes place in episode 3 and it is the wedding of Mrs. Hughes and Mr. Carson, he is the head butler and she is the housekeeper at Downton Abbey.  While selecting her bridal outfit both Mrs. Patmore, the cook and Lady Mary are unhappy with Mrs. Hughes choice of what they think of as a drab mauve dress for the special occasion.  Lady Mary suggests Lady Grantham’s velvet coat with stunning lace and beaded embellishments and while they are trying it on Lady Grantham walks in on the women and she is very upset that they are in her bedroom trying on her personal clothes but in the end she calms down and kindly gives Mrs. Hughes the beautiful coat to wear on her wedding day.  (Shown below are several photos of Mrs. Hughes wearing her wedding outfit and another photo of the guests gathered for the ceremony)

  

Then, in episode 8 of season six, the fate of Lady Mary is quickly settled when she weds Henry Talbot.  Remember Lady Mary’s first husband Matthew died in a tragic car accident shortly after the birth of their son, and her choice of a bridal dress for her second wedding was almost, dare I say it, matronly!  The ivory dress features a deep V-front with embroidered detailing and long sleeves.  Lady Mary wears a simple pearl necklace and for the church ceremony she wears a hat embellished with artificial flowers and netting.  Instead of a bridal bouquet, Lady Mary wears a floral corsage pinned on the left side of her dress.  (The photos below show Lady Mary wearing her wedding outfit and another photo shows her with her new husband, Henry)

    

Finally, in the series finale (the 2015 Christmas special) of Downton Abbey, Lady Edith finds the love and happiness she deserves when she weds Bertie Pelham, the new Marchioness of Hexham.  Lady Edith looked absolutely beautiful in her lace short sleeved wedding dress and, since she was denied a conclusion to her first attempt at marriage, she wore a lace veil with a beaded headband instead of the Grantham tiara.  (Shown below are several photos of Lady Edith in her wedding dress and with her new husband, Bertie)

    

Special Note:  Portions of this post come from by other blog, theenchantedmanor.com For more on the Downton Abbey television series, please click on the link and to see more costumes worn by the women of Downton Abbey throughout the years, please click on the link to Downton Abbey Fashions – Part One

White House Weddings – Part Two

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In Part One of the two part series on White House Weddings I discussed the weddings that took place from 1820 to 1886 starting with Maria Monroe, John Adams II, Elizabeth Tyler, Nellie Grant and President Grover Cleveland, the only President to be married in the White House.  In Part Two, I will discuss the weddings from 1906 to 1971 that include Alice Roosevelt, the three daughters of President Woodrow Wilson, Lynda Johnson and Tricia Nixon.

February 17, 1906 – Alice Roosevelt and Nicholas Longworth

The wedding of Alice Roosevelt and Nicholas Longworth III took place on February 17, 1906 in the East Room of the White House and it was the grandest social event of the Washington D.C. season.  Alice was the twenty-two year old daughter of President Theodore Roosevelt (the 26th President) and Nicholas was a Republican member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Cincinnati, Ohio.  Alice had gained fame and was the darling of Washington during her father’s term in office.  She was strong-willed and, like President Roosevelt, she had a zest for adventure.  Nicholas was 14 years older than Alice and a romantic relationship had developed during a diplomatic trip aboard and the two became engaged in 1905.

Shown above is a special commemorative postcard
for the wedding of Alice Roosevelt and Nicholas Longworth

Since Alice was the eldest daughter of President Roosevelt, there was enormous international interest in her wedding and more than a thousand guests were invited to the White House ceremony and reception.  On the day of the wedding there was so much excitement and anticipation in Washington that a large crowd had gathered outside to catch a glimpse of the bride.  Inside the White House the East Room had been lavishly decorated with the window draped with gold trimmed curtains and decorated with bunches of smilax and lilies.  A large platform was specially built so that the guests in the overcrowded room would be able to see the bridal couple and it was covered with an Oriental rug.  Behind the makeshift altar were palm trees and floral arrangements while on either side of the platform were several porcelain vases and urns filled with lilies.  After the ceremony and during the wedding reception, Alice seemed to be dissatisfied with the ordinary knife set on the table.  So, in a moment of spontaneity, she called to borrow the military sword of a nearby officer and that is what was used to cut the cake.

The East Room wedding decorations for Alice Roosevelt and Nicholas Longworth

On her wedding day, Alice wore a lovely blue wedding dress with an 18 foot long train made of silver brocade.  Always a person that wanted to be the center of attention she choose not to have any bridesmaids but she did agree to have her father walk her down the aisle.

  

Alice Roosevelt Longworth

The newlyweds had a brief honeymoon in Cuba before embarking on a more lengthy journey to Europe where they were entertained by King Edward in England and Kaiser Wilhelm in Germany.  Afterwards, the couple settled into a house in Washington D.C.  Although he lost the election of 1912 Longworth returned to Congress in 1914 and later became the Majority Leader of the House in 1923.  He died in 1931 from pneumonia and is buried in Spring Grove Cemetery in Cincinnati, Ohio (It has been reported that Alice burned her husband with his prized Stradivarius violin)

For a marriage that started out with such hope and promise, Alice and Longworth grew distant when the two found themselves having opposing political views but the couple stayed together for twenty-five years until Longworth’s death. Meanwhile, Alice continued to be active in politics and she relished the Washington social life.  She claimed that she had known personally every president, both Republican and Democratic, from the late 1890s to 1980.  At the age of 96, Alice died in 1980 from emphysema and pneumonia; she is buried at Rock Creek Cemetery in Washington D.C.

The weddings of the daughters of President Wilson

During his two terms in office President Woodrow Wilson (the 28th President) has the distinction of hosting two weddings of his children, daughters Jessie and Eleanor.  The oldest sister, Margaret, choose to remain single for the rest of her life and in 1940 she moved to India where she became a Hindu nun, she died there in 1944.

November 25, 1913 – Jessie Wilson to Francis Sayre

Jessie Wilson married Francis Sayre in the East Room of the White House on November 25, 1913.  Instead of having a large and very public wedding like Alice Roosevelt did seven years earlier, the couple decided to have a small but still grand ceremony.  Jessie was the second daughter of President Wilson and Ellen Axson Wilson and Francis was a recent graduate of Harvard Law School.

In preparation for the wedding ceremony, a platform was set-up in the far end of the East Room in front of the window which was draped with curtains.  An altar was set in the center of the platform, covered with cloth and decorated with lilies, several palm trees, ferns an floral arrangements were also used as decorations.

The East Room wedding decorations for Jessie Wilson and Francis Sayre

For the wedding reception a New York bakery made a 185 pound wedding cake, it was two large layers and covered with white frosting and decorated with piping.  For display at the reception a large cut-glass vase with flowers was placed on top and the table was decorated with greenery.

The wedding cake for Jessica Wilson and Francis Sayre

Jessica Wilson Sayre

After returning from their honeymoon in Europe, the couple settled in Williamstown, Massachusetts where Francis worked at Williams College as an assistant to the president of school.  Francis and Jessica went onto have three children; Francis Jr., Eleanor and Woodrow.

After World War I, the Sayre family moved to Cambridge, Massachusetts where Francis became a professor at the Harvard Law School, later he served as a Foreign Affairs Adviser and High Commissioner of the Philippines.  Jessie became a political activist involved in social issues and women’s right to vote, she was also active in the League of Nations and the Democratic Party.  Jessie died in 1933 age the age of 45; she is buried in Nisky Hill Cemetery in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania.  Francis died in 1972 and he is buried at the Washington National Cathedral.  (Special Note: After President Woodrow Wilson’s death in 1924, he was interred in a sarcophagus in the Washington National Cathedral.  He is the only president whose final resting place is within Washington D.C.)

May 7, 1914 – Eleanor Wilson and William McAdoo

Eleanor Wilson married William McAdoo in the Blue Room of the White House less than a year after her sister.  Eleanor was twenty-three years old and the youngest daughter of President Wilson and William was the fifty-six year old Secretary of Treasury in the Wilson administration.  William was a widower with children and the couple had begun a romance which was kept a secret from President Wilson until their engagement was announced.  Special Note:  Since President Wilson’s wife, Ellen was in declining health the wedding of Eleanor and William was a much more subdued ceremony and reception than her sister’s wedding a few months earlier.

  

Eleanor Wilson McAdoo

After returning home from their honeymoon, Eleanor and McAdoo remained in Washington D.C. where McAdoo continued to work as the Secretary of Treasury in the Wilson administration.  The couple had two daughters, Ellen and Mary, but sadly the marriage proved to be an unhappy one and Eleanor divorced McAdoo in 1934.  Eventually, Eleanor had moved to Montecito, California and in 1965 she suffered a cerebral hemorrhage.  In April 1967 she died at her home and she is buried at the Santa Barbara Cemetery, at the time of her death she was the last surviving child of President Wilson.

Special Note:  When First Lady Ellen Axson Wilson died in August 1914, it was the third time that a wife of a sitting President had died during their term in the White House.  (Letitia Tyler died in 1842 and Caroline Harrison died in 1892)  President Wilson was devastated by the death of his wife but only a few short months later he met Edith Bolling Galt and quickly fell in love with her and proposed.  Although he was advised by his political associates to wait to remarry until after the upcoming election the couple decided to proceed with their plans to wed.  So, in December 1915 President Wilson married Edith at her home in Washington, D.C.  Then, in October 1919, President Wilson suffered a severe stroke and for all intent and purposes Edith assumed and performed many of the presidential functions.

December 9, 1967 – Lynda Johnson and Charles Robb

Lynda Johnson married Charles Robb on December 9, 1967 in a private ceremony in the East Room of the White House. Lynda was the eldest daughter of President Lyndon Johnson (the 36th President) and his wife Claudia Taylor Johnson (known as “Lady Bird”) and Charles Robb was a U.S. Marine Corps Captain and was set to leave on a tour of duty in Vietnam.

Since the wedding was held during the holiday season, the East Room was decorated with Christmas trees while evergreen boughs were draped across mantels and down staircase banisters.  Lynda wore a white silk wedding gown made by Geoffrey Beene which featured long-sleeves, a high neck and a train that gathered at the middle of her back.  To complete her wedding ensemble, Lynda wore a long white veil and carried a small bouquet of white flowers.  The seven bridesmaids wore red velvet long-sleeved dress and matching velvet bows in their hair.

Lynda Johnson Robb

Lynda Johnson and Charles Robb

After the brief ceremony the couple, the bridal party and family moved into the Yellow Room to take photographs while their 650 guests were served cocktails in another room in the White House.  In the meantime the East Room was reset for the wedding reception with a splendid buffet and a band was brought in for entertainment.

Lynda Johnson and Charles Robb cutting their wedding cake

After returning from Vietnam, Robb became a lawyer.  The couple had three daughters; Lucinda, Catherine and Jennifer.  Robb was later elected as Lieutenant Governor of Virginia in 1977, served as Governor of Virginia from 1982 to 1986 and then he was a U.S. Senator for two terms from 1989 until 2001.  Robb and Lynda currently live in McLean, VA and Lynda supports the children’s literacy programs

Special Note: Technically, the wedding of President Johnson’s other daughter does not count as a White House wedding because the ceremony did not take place there.  Since she had converted to Catholicism, the wedding of Luci Johnson and Patrick Nugent took place on August 6, 1966 at Shrine of Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Washington, D.C. although their wedding reception was held in the East Room of the White House.  Luci was the youngest daughter of President Johnson and Lady Bird and despite the controversy of the ongoing Vietnam War there was great interest in the wedding.  So, it was decided that it would be the first wedding of a child of a president to be broadcast on television and it was watched by 55 million viewers.  Luci and Patrick were married for over ten years and had four children; Patrick, Nicole, Rebekah and Claudia.  Later the couple divorced and the marriage was annulled in August 1979, Luci married Ian Turpin in 1984.

Luci Johnson and Patrick Nugent
cutting their eight-foot tall wedding cake in the East Room of the White House

June 12, 1971 – Tricia Nixon and Edward Cox

The wedding of Tricia Nixon and Edward Cox took place on June 12, 1971 in the Rose Garden of the White House.  Tricia (Patricia) Nixon was twenty-five years old and the eldest daughter of President Richard Nixon (the 37th President) and Thelma Ryan Nixon (given the nickname “Pat” by her Irish-American father when she was a child).  Edward was a Princeton graduate and had known Tricia since the 1960s.

Mrs. Nixon had suggested that the ceremony should take place in the White House Rose Garden since it would be in full bloom in the summer.  This was a risky choice given that the weather in Washington D.C. often forecast rainstorms at that time of year so a contingency plan was set to move the ceremony into the East Room.  But despite earlier rain showers on the day of the wedding the skies briefly cleared and the sun came out! The Rose Garden looked absolutely lovely that day with additional rose plants added in preparation for the wedding .  The ceremony took place under a lovely gazebo at the end of an aisle decorated with even more roses.  Special Note:  Twenty-five years later family and friends gathered at the Nixon Library in Yorba Linda where Tricia and Edward Cox renewed their wedding vows under the same gazebo used at their White House Rose Garden wedding.

On display at the wedding reception was the massive three hundred and fifty pound wedding cake created by the White House pastry chef Heinz Bender.

Tricia Nixon and Edward Cox cutting their wedding cake

It has been said that perhaps Tricia was one of the most beautiful of all the White House brides; she was petite with golden hair and blue eyes.  The famous bridal fashion designer Priscilla of Boston made Tricia’s wedding dress; she had also designed the bridesmaids dress for Grace Kelly’s wedding to the Prince of Monaco and the wedding dresses for Luci Johnson and Julie Nixon.  Tricia’s silk organdy gown with a v-neckline and cap sleeves was accented with Alenson lace roses and pearl.  When First Lady Pat Nixon first saw the gown she was shocked at the low neckline but the bride insisted that it was what she wanted!  (Compared to today’s often strapless versions chosen by the modern brides, Tricia Nixon’s wedding dress in contrast seems to have been a very classic and elegant design)

Tricia Nixon Cox on the cover of the June 18, 1971 issue of Life Magazine

After returning from their honeymoon, Tricia and Edward lived in New York, they had one son named Christopher.  Edward is a corporate attorney and also headed the New York Republican State Committee, Tricia is involved with several medical research institutions and she also sits on the board of the Richard Nixon Foundation.

Special Note:  President Nixon’s younger daughter, Julie, was married after his election in November 1968 but before his inauguration in January 1969, for this reason it is not considered an official White House wedding.  When Nixon had been the Vice President to President Eisenhower and the two families spent time together.  It is possible that Mamie Eisenhower, the wife of President Eisenhower, encouraged the romance between Julie and David, the Eisenhower’s grandson.  Julie and David were married on December 22, 1968 at the Marble Collegiate Church in New York City.  The couple had three children; Jennie, Alexander and Melanie.  Today, Julie and David live in Berwyn, Pennsylvania and Julie sits on the board of the Richard Nixon Foundation.

For more information, please check out Part One of the two part series on White House Weddings which discusses the weddings that took place from 1820 to 1886 starting with Maria Monroe, John Adams II, Elizabeth Tyler, Nellie Grant and President Grover Cleveland, the only President to be married in the White House.

British Royal Bridal Bouquets

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In this post I will discuss several of the British Royal wedding bouquets throughout the years, starting with the bridal bouquet Queen Victoria carried when she married Prince Albert in 1840 and concluding with Markle’s bridal bouquet that she carried when she married Prince Harry in 2018 .  Often the wedding bouquets carried by a British Royal Bride set the trend for future Royal brides, such as tradition of a sprig of myrtle used in bouquets which started during the reign of Queen Victoria to the tradition of lying the bouquet on the tomb of the unknown soldier in Westminster Abbey which was started by Lady Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon (later known as Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother).

Queen Victoria

Queen Victoria married her first cousin, Prince Albert of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha on February 10, 1840 in the Chapel Royal in St. James Palace in London, England.  On her wedding day she carried a small bouquet of snowdrops which were said to be Prince Albert’s favorite flower.  She also choose to wear a simple wreath of orange blossoms atop her head instead of wearing a crown as would befit her status as Queen, in addition her wedding dress was decorate with even more orange blossoms.  Orange blossoms were often worn by brides to symbolize chastity and fertility.  (For more information about the wedding tradition of the orange blossoms, please click on the link)

Queen Victoria and Prince Albert on their wedding day

The tradition of the myrtle used in British Royal bridal bouquets, which is credited to Queen Victoria, was not a sprig from her bridal bouquet.  In fact the myrtle planted during Queen Victoria’s time, that still grows in the garden at Osborne House, did not come from her bouquet but from a nosegay presented by Prince Albert’s grandmother during a visit to Prince Albert’s homeland of Germany several years later.  When the Princess Royal Victoria, the eldest child of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert, married Prince Frederick of Prussia in 1958 and she carried a sprig of the Osborne myrtle in her bridal bouquet.  The tradition continued thereafter for Queen Victoria’s other four daughters on their wedding days.  Since the time of Queen Victoria every Royal Bride has carried a sprig of the Osborne myrtle in their wedding bouquets.

The gardens of Osborne House
where the myrtle for British Royal bridal bouquets is grown

Princess Alexandra of Denmark

Prince Albert Edward married Princess Alexandra of Denmark (later to become King Edward VII and Queen Alexandra) on March 10, 1863 in St. George’s Chapel at Windsor Castle.  The Princess wore a ivory silk taffeta wedding dress which featured a separate bodice top and a full skirt, the 21 foot train was made of antique silver moiré.  Like Queen Victoria, the Princess trimmed her wedding dress with orange blossoms and she wore a white veil secured upon her head with a wreath of orange blossoms and myrtle.  She carried a bridal bouquet of white roses, lilies of the valley, a few orchids and the traditional sprig of Osborne myrtle.

Prince Albert Edward and Princess Alexandra on their wedding day

Unlike other British Royal brides, Princess Alexandra carried an elaborate bouquet holder which featured an upper section of rock crystal carved into a cone shape to hold the flowers.  The crystal cone was embellished with diamonds, emeralds, pink coral and pearls.  In honor of the Princess’ royal status, the middle section featured a coronet with a gold chain decorated with pearls and a gold and pearl studded ring to wear on the hand.  Below the coronet is the symbolic Prince of Wales feathers created in diamonds and a monogram “A” for Alexandra made of rubies.  At the bottom of the holder was a small crystal sphere set with more rubies.

 

The wedding bouquet holder of Princess Alexandra

Princess May of Teck

Prince Albert George married May of Teck (later to become King George V and Queen Mary) on July 6, 1893 in the Chapel Royal, St. James Palace in London, England.  Much like the British Royal brides before her, Princess May trimmed the bodice and the front of her wedding dress with orange blossoms.  For the wedding ceremony, the she carried a large bridal bouquet made entirely of white flowers which included “York” roses, orchids, lilies of the valley, carnations, orange blossoms and of course the traditional sprig of Osborne myrtle.

Prince George and Princess May on their wedding day

Queen Victoria and Princess Alexandra, the Princess of Wales, also carried large bouquets on the wedding day of Prince George and Princess May (it has not been reported if the bride’s mother, the Duchess of Teck, carried a bouquet on her daughter’s wedding day)

Princess May’s bridal bouquet is shown in the middle photo,
Queen Victoria’s on the left and Princess Alexandra, the Princess of Wales, on the right

Lady Elizabeth Bowes-Lyons

Prince Albert George married Lady Elizabeth Bowes-Lyons (later to become King George VI and Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother) on April 26, 1923 in Westminster Abbey in London, England.  In addition to her medieval style dress of ivory chiffon moiré dress with horizontal silver lame panels embroidered with silver thread and accented with pearl beads she wore a wreath of myrtle leaves, white heather and white York roses; the veil was a gift from Queen Mary.

Prince George and Lady Elizabeth on their wedding day

When looking at the formal wedding portraits taken at Buckingham Palace, it is noticeable that Lady Elizabeth is without her bridal bouquet and there is a very good reason for this omission.  The story goes that on the day of the wedding, as tradition usually dictates the bride and her father were the last to arrive at Westminster Abbey and they entered through the Great West Door.  Then, as the bride, her father and her eight bridesmaids assembled for the processional there was a slight delay.  In those few minutes, Lady Elizabeth spontaneously laid her bridal bouquet on the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier to honor her brother Fergus who had died a few years earlier in World War I .  Special Note:  Since 1923, British Royal brides have also laid their bouquets on the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier with the one exception that instead of it being placed prior to the start of the ceremony, the bouquet is laid on the sacred spot afterwards.  This is a lovely tradition most recently done in 2011 by Catherine Middleton at her wedding to Prince William and again in 2018 when Meghan Markle married Prince Harry.

Lady Elizabeth’s bouquet which was placed at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier

Princess Elizabeth 

Princess Elizabeth married Lieutenant Phillip Mountbatten (later to become Queen Elizabeth II and the Duke of Edinburgh) on November 20, 1947 in Westminster Abbey.  Norman Hartnell designed a lovely gown of ivory satin for the Princess Elizabeth and upon her head she wore the diamond King George III Tiara.  She carried a bouquet which comprised of three different kinds of British-grown orchids, cattleya, odontoglossum and cypripedium.  As per the British Royal wedding tradition, a sprig of myrtle was picked from the garden at Osborne house and added to Princess Elizabeth’s bridal bouquet.

Princess Elizabeth and Prince Phillip on their wedding day

Lady Diana Spencer

Prince Charles married Lady Diana Spencer (the Prince and Princess of Wales ) on July 29, 1981 in St. Paul’s Cathedral in London, England.  Known at the time as the “Wedding of the Century” it was a grand occasion watched by 600,000 people lined along the streets of London and watched by 750 million on television.  Lady Diana wore a wedding dress made of ivory silk taffeta designed by the relatively unknown David and Elizabeth Emanuel; the dress was trimmed with antique lace and featured a rather long 25 foot train.

To balance the rather voluminous dress, Lady Diana carried a large cascading bouquet of Earl of Mountbatten roses, gardenias, stephanotis, fressia, odontoglossum orchid, lily of the valley, ivy and of course the traditional Osborne myrtle.  The bouquet measured 42” long and 15” wide, there were in fact three bouquets made that included one for the rehearsal the night before the wedding, another that Lady Diana carried on her wedding day to Westminster Abbey and a third was used for photographs at Buckingham Palace after the wedding.  Special Note: The Earl of Mountbatten roses were chosen as a tribute to Lord Louis Mountbatten, a special Uncle of Prince Charles, who had died in 1979.  According to British Royal tradition, one of the bouquets was taken to Westminster Abbey to be placed on the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.

Prince Charles and Lady Diana on their wedding day

Sadly, the marriage of Prince Charles and Princess Diana which had started out as a fairytale later turned out to be a very unhappy union.  The couple’s formal separation was officially announced in 1992 and in 1996 the divorce was finalized.  Princess Diana died a year later in 1997 in a car crash in Paris, France.

Camilla Parker- Bowles

Prince Charles married Camilla Parker-Bowles (later known as the Duchess of Cornwall) on April 9, 2005 in the Windsor Guildhall, later that same day in St. George’s Chapel there was a religious blessing followed by a formal reception at Windsor Castle.  For the civil ceremony, Camilla wore a cream silk chiffon dress with a matching coat and she wore a Prince of Wales feather brooch attached to the coat lapel.  She also wore a large Philip Treacy cream wide-brimmed straw hat covered with ivory French lace and accented with feathers.  To complete her civil ceremony outfit, Camilla choose to wear L.K. Bennett shoes in an almond shade and a Launer purse made of embossed leather and lined in suede.

Prince Charles and Camilla, the Duchess of Cornwall at the Windsor Guildhall

For the Church of England blessing in St. George’s Chapel, Camilla wore a Robinson Valentine long pale blue and gold embroidered damask coat over a matching chiffon gown.  To complete her bridal ensemble, she wore an impressive spray of golden feathers also created by Treacy in her perfectly coiffured hair instead of a tiara.  For the Church blessing, Camilla carried a small bouquet of yellow, purple and white primroses mixed with lily of the valley and the traditional Osborne myrtle.

Prince Charles and Camilla, the Duchess of Cornwall at St. George’s Chapel

Catherine Middleton

Prince William married Catherine Middleton (later known as the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge) were married on April 29, 2011 in Westminster Abbey.  The bride’s floral request for her wedding bouquet would be to incorporate the “language of the flowers”, an old custom popular during the Victorian era in which flowers and plants would be selected for their special meanings to convey hidden messages.

Catherine’s dress was designed by Sarah Burton of Alexander McQueen and was made of satin gathered gently at the waist with slightly padded hips that formed a bustle in the back and a 9 foot train.  In keeping with the elegant but simple style of the stunning dress, Catherine carried a small all white bridal bouquet designed by florist Shane Connolly.  The bouquet featured lily of the valley (happiness), Sweet William (gallantry and also an unspoken tribute to her new husband), hyacinth (constancy of love), ivy (fidelity) and myrtle (love and marriage).

Prince William and Catherine Middleton on their wedding day

(For more information about the Wedding Flowers of Prince William and Catherine Middleton, please click on the link)

Meghan Markle

Prince Harry married Meghan Markle (later known as the Duke and Duchess of Sussex) were married on May 19, 2018 in St. George’s Chapel at Windsor Castle.  On her wedding day Meghan carried a bouquet made of sweet peas, lily of the valley, astilbe, jasmine, astrantia and forget-me-nots, said to be Princess Diana (the groom’s late mother’) favorite flower.  It has also been reported that as a very romantic gesture, Prince Harry hand-picked several of the flowers from the couple’s private garden at Kensington Palace.  

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle on their wedding day

Although the Royal couple had been married at St. George’s Chapel at Windsor Castle, the tradition of a British Royal Bride leaving her bridal bouquet on the Tomb of the Unknown Warrior in Westminster Abbey was honored when the bouquet was specially transported to London.

Meghan Markle’s bouquet on the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier