Evolution of the Royal Wedding Dress

Evolution of the Royal Wedding Dress

These Historic Gowns Weren't Just Fashion Statements
Royal Wedding Dress as Symbol
Until Friday morning, probably the biggest mystery surrounding the latest British royal wedding was who designed Kate Middleton's wedding dress.

But when the future Queen Elizabeth II (pictured) walked down the aisle in London's Westminster Abbey in 1947, her wedding dress was more than a fashion statement: It represented the hopes of a nation, according to royal wedding gown curator Joanna Marschner.

With food and clothing still being rationed in postwar Britain, royal dressmaker Norman Hartnell sought to convey a message of national renewal, instead of focusing on opulent materials. He did this in part by embroidering the gown with garlands of spring flowers.

"It is a dress with a message for that particular moment in time," said Marschner, of Historic Royal Palaces, an independent charity that acts as caretaker for five British royal buildings.

"I think you can say that about all the royal wedding dresses—they have become amazing documents that can say a lot about the year when they were worn."

Royal Wedding highlights best 20 moments

Royal Wedding highlights best 20 moments

Prince William and Kate Middleton have been named husband and wife by the Archbishop of Canterbury at Westminster Abbey.

Here are the top 20 moments from the royal wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton on Friday. See our live blog for continued coverage.

• Clarence House announced Prince William and his bride would leave Westminster Abbey in the same open topped horse-drawn carriage used by the Prince and Princess of Wales on their wedding day in 1981 – meaning that come rain or shine, crowds would be able to clearly see the married couple.

• The Queen gave the Royal couple the titles of Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, also naming her grandson Earl of Strathearn and Baron Carrickfergus, titles his bride would also inherit after the ceremony.

• As crowds gathered in Westminster, the crew of the International Space Station broadcast pre-recorded greetings to the Royal couple, from hundreds of miles above the surface of the Earth

Kate and william wedding pictures

Kate and william wedding pictures

Prince drives his new bride away from the Palace in a vintage Aston after balcony kiss thrills the crowds
* William tells Kate 'You look beautiful' as she arrives at the altar
* He jokes with Kate's father 'we're supposed to have just a small family affair'
* Two BILLION people watch couple tie the knot
* 5,000 royals enthusiasts camped out overnight at The Mall
* Prince struggles to get ring on Kate's finger
* One million well-wishers line the streets to catch a glimpse of the couple
* Prince William takes the title Duke of Cambridge and Kate becomes Duchess

After a kiss that thrilled the nation, Prince William drove full throttle into the nation's affections as he took his new wife on an unexpected drive to Clarence House.
They left their Buckingham Palace reception in Prince Charles's open-top Aston Martin with 'Just wed' on the number plate.
It was the fitting climax to what had already been a remarkable day - and it was the common touch his mother Diana would have been proud of.
As the crowds roared, the couple emerged in the 38-year-old classic car with a yellow RAF rescue helicopter flying overhead.
The vehicle had been given to Charles as a gift when he turned 21. The couple drove round the front of the Palace before returning to the private reception.
They emerged from the Palace two hours after stepping out on the balcony and marked their marriage with their first public kiss.
But the first public embrace of William and his bride Catherine was so fleeting that you would have missed it if you had blinked.

Princess Diana's Most Iconic Style Moments

Princess Diana's Most Iconic Style Moments

Princess Diana's Most Iconic Style Moments
It was the LBD worth a thousand words—in 1994, just as a documentary regarding her husband's infidelities was airing, a lithe and leggy Princess Diana strolled into a Serpentine Gallery benefit wearing a figure-hugging ruched minidress from Greek designer Christina Stambolian. The next day, every front page was devoted not to the Prince of Wales's televised confession, but to images of the glowing, confident 32-year-old Diana. Ever mindful of the power of fashion, three years later she auctioned off 79 of her favorite gowns at a Christie's auction that raised $6 million for AIDS and breast cancer charities.

Prince William and Kate Middleton Married Before The Time

Prince William and Kate Middleton Married Before The Time

Last Friday, the streets of London were well-dressed and happy newlyweds. The people stared in amazement a familiar face and wondered: "It seems to be the wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton set for the end of April ..." So April Fools joke was a success. Twins representatives of the Royal Family: The Queen Mary Wills,"Prince William Simon Watkinson and Kate Middleton" Jody Brad posing numerous photographs at the church in London on Friday 1 April.

How to knit your own Royal wedding line-up

How to knit your own Royal wedding line-up

If you’re needled about not being invited to the royal wedding, don’t despair – for now you can knit yourself there.

Among the wealth of tea towels, printed plates and specially forged coins, this unusual souvenir kit has emerged, featuring knitting patterns for ten ‘characters’ from William and Kate’s nuptials.

These include the bride and groom, the Queen and Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams. And, of course, the corgis.

Plus, with extra patterns provided for ‘guests’, patriotic needleworkers can knit themselves into the April 29 party.

Mike Myers Secretly Weds

Mike Myers Secretly Weds

Mike Myers secretly wed longtime girlfriend Kelly Tisdale more than five months ago, the actor's rep confirms to New York Post's Page Six. The two tied the knot in a private ceremony in NYC.
The comedian, 47, and his 30-something bride began dating in 2006, after Myers split from his first wife, comedy writer and actress Robin Ruzan.

Princess Diana's Niece Lady Amelia Appears in Court

Princess Diana's Niece Lady Amelia Appears in Court

Princess Diana's Niece Lady Amelia Appears in Court

Princess Diana's niece Lady Amelia appears in court accused of 'kicking and hitting man on crutches in McDonald's queue'
* Alleged assault victim says he was knocked unconscious and needed brain scan
* Lady Amelia allegedly flicked cigarette butt into car in a rage
* Heiress was accompanied by one of her sisters during incident
Princess Diana's 18-year-old niece arrived at Cape Town Magistrates' Court today accused of flicking a cigarette at a man on crutches before kicking and hitting him.
Lady Amelia, who is the daughter of Diana’s brother Earl Spencer, arrived at the court with her mother Victoria Spencer to answer a charge of common assault following the December 2010 incident.

Dress Code for the Royal Wedding

 A morning ceremony

Invitations for the royal wedding were mailed out last week, and loads more details about the impending nuptials are coming in, such as who will be attending the big event and what guests will be wearing! While rumors are swirling that wedding outfitter Bruce Oldfield will be designing Kate Middleton's gown, we now know for sure what attendees must wear to the Westminster Abbey wedding, as the dress code was printed on the invitations: "uniform, morning coat or lounge suit." Sounds stuffy and conventional, but this formal attire can actually be quite fun and even colorful. Check out some examples of each, plus info on the spectacular hats Middleton has requested!