Princess Diana’s wedding dress, which was designed by British couple David and Elizabeth Emanuel for her July 1981 wedding to Prince Charles, is perhaps one of the most iconic pieces of couture in the history books.
And while the world could recognise those puff sleeves, dramatic bows and 25 foot-long-train in a heartbeat, this week it has emerged the Princess of Wales actually wore another show-stopping creation on her wedding day.
Ahead of the June 3rd opening of the Royal Style in the Making exhibition at Kensington Palace, which will showcase some of the royal family’s most well-known looks, including Princess Diana’s wedding dress, which is currently on loan from Prince William and Prince Harry, an elegant pink ensemble by David Sassoon for Bellville Sassoon will also appear in the exhibition.
The chic dress and jacket combo, which features a cinched in waist and bow detailing around the neck, was in fact first worn by Princess Diana at the end of her wedding day when the new husband and wife arrived at Romsey Station in Hampshire, before leaving for their trip to Gibraltar on the Royal Yacht Britannia.
Nothing like a wedding day outfit change: Princess Diana and Prince Charles at Romsey Station in Hampshire at the end of their wedding day in July 1981.
(Image: Getty)
Dubbed her “honeymoon outfit”, the newly minted royal soon incorporated the pretty pink look into her working wardrobe.
It made several appearances over the years, including on her and Charles’ royal tour of Australia in 1982 and when she opened a hospital the following year in Grimsby.
The upcoming exhibition will also showcase outfits worn by Princess Margaret and The Queen Mother, handwritten briefs from royals to designers and a slew of original sketches.
Princess Diana’s honeymoon outfit was designed by David Sassoon for Bellville Sassoon and is currently on display at the Royal Style in the Making exhibition at Kensington Palace.
(Image: Getty)Looking back at Princess Diana’s wedding day, dress designer Elizabeth Emanuel has since admitted she was “horrified” when she realised how creased the bride’s dress had gotten in the carriage ride to St Paul’s Cathedral.
“We did know it would crease a bit but when I saw her arrive at St Paul’s and we saw the creasing I actually felt faint. I was horrified, really, because it was quite a lot of creasing. It was a lot more than we thought,” she explained.
Despite the mishap, Princess Diana couldn’t have been more thrilled with her gown and later called the designers on her wedding day to thank them for all their hard work.
“We had a little party and just as I’m about to lock up, the phone rings… I thought who’s calling? It was Diana! She said ‘I just wanted to say thank you so much for the gown. I loved it. Prince Charles loved it. All the family loved it,'” David reflected.
“It couldn’t have been more special for me to hear from the client. When you design for a bride you want her to be happy. As long as the bride is happy that is all that matters.”
Princess Diana’s wedding dress was the epitome of a an 80s bride.
(Image: Getty)
