Finding the perfect wedding dress is such an exciting process but it isn’t always easy! From silhouettes to fabrics, to choosing a bridal boutique and leaving enough time for alterations, it may take more research and consideration than anything you’ve ever bought in your wardrobe. So it’s understandable that wedding dress shopping can be overwhelming!
There are so many wonderful royal brides to glean inspiration from and Princess Beatrice’s wedding dress was not only stunning but sentimental and sustainable too. Unlike other royal brides in recent years she did not commission a designer to make a bespoke gown for her to marry property developer Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi. The couple tied the knot on 17 July 2020 during the pandemic at the Royal Chapel of All Saints in Windsor and her wedding dress was her ‘something borrowed’ and ‘something old’ for their scaled-down nuptials.
The fit and flare gown was crafted from vintage ivory Peau De Soie taffeta and it boasted a geometric checkered bodice, dainty organza sleeves and diamanté and crystal embellishments. Not only did she break from tradition by wearing it but she made history in the process too.
The Story Behind Princess Beatrice’s Wedding Dress
The vintage gown has a fascinating history as it belonged to none other than her grandmother, Queen Elizabeth II. It was designed by Norman Hartnell who was the Queen’s favourite couturier. His opulent and elegant dresses earned him the crown as the ‘King of Bling’ and he not only designed the Queen’s wedding dress but her coronation gown too.
Hartnell also designed many dresses for the monarch’s formal events and she wore the glittering ivory gown on several occasions during the 1960s. She sparkled wearing it to a state dinner in Rome in 1961, for the premiere of Lawrence of Arabia in 1962 and for the State Opening of Parliament in 1967.
Princess Beatrice had the gown subtlety altered by the Queen’s royal dresser and confidant Angela Kelly who has Irish roots and designer Stewart Parvin.
Delicate triple organza sleeves were added and the skirt was altered with a duchesse satin trim and a shorter hemline. It’s also worth noting that any alterations they made were completely reversible.
While the changes were minor, the gown felt completely modern and fresh. You wouldn’t have thought her grandmother had worn it 60 years previously!
It is such a wonderful example of how you can breathe new life into a heirloom wedding dress and celebrate the love story that came before while at the same time showcasing your own unique style. If you want more inspiration check out 10 One Fab Day brides who wore heirloom wedding dresses that took our breath away.
Princess Beatrice continued the vintage vibes with her accessories. The Queen loaned her the Queen Mary Fringe tiara which was the very tiara she wore on her own wedding day to Prince Philip.
Princess Beatrice’s wedding ensemble was a beautiful tribute to her grandmother who she shared a very close bond with. She also became the first royal to wear a second-hand wedding dress!
Want more celebrity bridal style inspiration? You’ve come to the right place.
Found out how Glee star Lea Michele found her dream dress in a very relatable way!
