The House of Windsor just can’t get away from weddings. While Lady Gabriella Windsor keeps on with the planning for her big day with Thomas Kingston, set for Windsor at some point in 2019, the castle itself is fast turning into a one stop shop for wedding dresses.
Just as the exhibition of the outfits worn at their marriage by the Duke and Duchess of Sussex is coming to an end, a new display featuring the dress worn by Princess Eugenie of York and the suit chosen by her husband, Jack Brooksbank, for their big day in October 2018 will get under way. So what will you see at the new exhibition?
Here Comes the Bride
Where do we start? What will we sigh over first? All the key elements of Princess Eugenie’s wedding look will be on display at the exhibition including that stand out sparkler that she borrowed from her granny for the big day.
The new display is the first chance ever to get up close and personal with the (now) famous Greville Emerald Kokoshnik Tiara that Eugenie wore on October 12th 2018. The diadem was made in 1921 by the jewellers Boucheron for the fabulously wealth Margaret Greville. It features a central emerald of over 90 carats set in a sea of pave diamonds interspersed with smaller emeralds.
It came to the Royal Family on Mrs Greville’s death in 1942 – with no descendants of her own, she bestowed her rather impressive jewellery collection on Queen Elizabeth, later Queen Mother who left the gems to the Queen in her own will. The kokoshnik tiara, so named as it is designed to look like a traditional Russian headdress, hadn’t been seen in public for decades until Eugenie’s wedding.
OK, that’s enough breathlessness over diamonds. On to the dress. The gown, designed by Peter Pilotto and Christopher de Vos, was famously constructed to take in the bride’s wish to show the scar on her back following surgery for scoliosis.
The bateau neck gown, with long sleeves, fitted waist and full skirt giving way to a train, was made of material specially designed for Eugenie. It features thistles, to celebrate the couple’s love of Balmoral and shamrocks, to reflect the Irish connections of Eugenie’s maternal family. Eagle eyed visitors will also spot the white rose of York and ivy as a nod to Ivy Cottage, where Eugenie and Jack live.
Let’s Not Forget the Groom
If Jack Brooksbank did what a lot of grooms do and just grabbed a suit and tie, we’re about to find out. The outfit worn by Princess Eugenie’s husband to say ‘I do’ also features in the exhibition.
In fact, the groom picked a black and grey morning suit made by tailors at Huntsman on Savile Row while visitors to the display will also get a good look at the bright blue waistcoat he chose for his big day.
The Exhibition
If you are already beyond excited (I know, it’s the waistcoat that did it) then you don’t have long to wait. The exhibition starts on March 1st 2019 and is included in the regular admission price to Windsor Castle. But be quick – the display is set to end on April 22nd this year.