The 21 Most Iconic Greatest Gowns Ever Worn by Royal Family of All Time
Royal fashion has long set the global standard for elegance, craftsmanship, and ceremonial grandeur. From the timeless lace masterpiece worn by Grace Kelly to the dramatic silk taffeta gown of Princess Diana, royal wardrobes have delivered some of the most unforgettable style moments in history.
Modern icons such as Catherine, Princess of Wales and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex continue to redefine regal glamour with refined silhouettes and contemporary couture. Meanwhile, European royals like Queen Letizia of Spain showcase sleek sophistication that blends tradition with modern minimalism.
These gowns are more than fashion statements—they are symbols of heritage, diplomacy, and timeless royal legacy, leaving an indelible mark on global style history.
1. Queen Elizabeth, The Queen Mother
When Lady Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon married in 1923, her bridal gown perfectly reflected the signature fashion of that era. The future Queen Elizabeth, The Queen Mother, wore a dress featuring a drop-waist silhouette adorned with pearl and silver detailing, complemented by an elegant Art Deco headpiece for her wedding ceremony at Westminster Abbey.
2. Queen Elizabeth II
For her marriage to Prince Philip in 1947, Queen Elizabeth II chose a satin Duchesse gown with long sleeves, decorated with intricate floral embroidery and pearl appliqués. Designed by Norman Hartnell, the dress drew inspiration from Sandro Botticelli’s artwork Primavera. She completed her bridal look with a remarkable 13-foot silk train that influenced many royal wedding styles afterward.
3. Grace Kelly
Grace Kelly wore one of the most iconic wedding dresses in history when she married Prince Rainier III of Monaco in 1956. Created by Helen Rose, the gown featured a high neckline, long sleeves, and a voluminous skirt with a 10.5-foot train. It was crafted using antique Brussels lace, silk taffeta, and thousands of hand-stitched pearls.
4. Princess Margaret
Princess Margaret’s silk organza wedding dress was famously described by Life magazine as the simplest royal bridal gown ever created. Designed by Norman Hartnell, the minimalist long-sleeve dress later inspired numerous royal brides, including Meghan Markle.
5. Princess Beatrix of the Netherlands
Princess Beatrix of the Netherlands wore an elegant satin wedding gown designed by Bergé-Farwick of Maison Linette for her 1966 wedding to Prince Claus. The understated yet refined ensemble included a flowing train, a dramatic veil, and a bouquet of white eucharis and lily of the valley.
6. Princess Anne
For her 1973 wedding to Captain Mark Phillips, Princess Anne selected a Tudor-inspired gown by Maureen Baker at Susan Small. The dress featured trumpet sleeves, a high neckline, and a seven-foot train, paired with the historic Queen Mary's Fringe Tiara.
7. Princess Caroline of Monaco
In 1978, Princess Caroline of Monaco married Philippe Junot wearing a fashionable 1970s-inspired gown designed by Marc Bohan for Christian Dior. Instead of choosing a tiara, she styled her hair in twin buns decorated with delicate floral crowns.
8. Princess Diana
Princess Diana wore one of the most celebrated royal wedding gowns ever made when she married Prince Charles. Designed by David Emanuel and Elizabeth Emanuel, the silk-taffeta dress was embellished with mother-of-pearl sequins and 10,000 pearls, along with an extraordinary 25-foot lace train.
9. Queen Rania of Jordan
For her 1993 wedding to Prince Abdullah, Queen Rania of Jordan chose a gown created by Bruce Oldfield. The dress featured gold-trimmed detailing, an embroidered neckline, and a full skirt, styled with white gloves, statement headwear, and drop earrings.
10. Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh
When she married Prince Edward at St George's Chapel, Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh wore a pearl-embellished silk organza coat dress designed by Samantha Shaw. She accessorized the look with a pearl necklace and matching earrings designed by the groom himself.
11. Queen 'Masenate Mohato Seeiso of Lesotho
Masenate Mohato Seeiso became the first commoner to marry into Lesotho’s royal family when she wed King Letsie III in 2000. Her long-sleeved ball gown, richly decorated with beadwork, was paired with a sparkling tiara, drop earrings, and a diamond necklace.
12. Queen Letizia of Spain
Queen Letizia of Spain wore an exquisite gown by Manuel Pertegaz when she married King Felipe VI in 2004. Crafted from natural silk with gold embroidery, the design also featured an impressive 15-foot train.
13. Kate Middleton
For her 2011 wedding to Prince William, Catherine, Princess of Wales selected a lace-detailed gown with a plunging neckline designed by Sarah Burton for Alexander McQueen. The elegant dress included a nine-foot train and set bridal fashion trends worldwide.
14. Princess Charlene of Monaco
Charlene Wittstock married Prince Albert of Monaco in a custom Armani Privé wedding gown she described as a true masterpiece. As reported by Vogue, the dress required more than 2,500 hours of craftsmanship. It featured a dramatic 5-meter train embellished with approximately 40,000 Swarovski crystals and 20,000 mother-of-pearl teardrops.
15. Zara Phillips
On July 30, 2011, at Canongate Kirk in Edinburgh, Zara Phillips married Mike Tindall in a timeless A-line ivory silk gown designed by royal couturier Stewart Parvin. She paired the dress with Jimmy Choo heels, a delicate silk-tulle veil, and a bouquet composed of elegant white flowers.
16. Princess Sofia of Sweden
Princess Sofia married Prince Carl Philip in Stockholm on June 13, 2015. She wore a sophisticated long-sleeve gown by Ida Sjöstedt, featuring intricate lace handcrafted by José María Ruiz. The ensemble was finished with a hand-cut and hand-stitched train for added elegance.
17. Meghan Markle
In 2018, Meghan Markle selected a minimalist wedding dress designed by Clare Waight Keller for Givenchy for her marriage to Prince Harry. Her veil included 53 embroidered floral designs, symbolizing each Commonwealth nation, and incorporated a sentimental fabric piece from the dress she wore on their first date.
18. Princess Eugenie
Princess Eugenie married Jack Brooksbank on October 12, 2018, wearing a bespoke gown created by Peter Pilotto. The design featured a gently off-the-shoulder neckline, long sleeves, and a structured train. Notably, the low-back silhouette was intentionally chosen to reveal the scar from her childhood scoliosis surgery.
19. Charlotte Casiraghi
In June 2019, Charlotte Casiraghi hosted a private wedding ceremony, followed by a larger celebration a month later in Provence. For the festivities, she wore a couture gown by Giambattista Valli, showcasing a sheer neckline, delicate lace accents, and multiple layers of tulle.
20. Countess Olympia von und zu Arco-Zinneberg
In 2019, Countess Olympia married Prince Jean-Christophe Napoleon Bonaparte in Paris. She wore a refined white gown by Oscar de la Renta, complemented by a capelet and cathedral-length veil. The ensemble was meticulously embroidered by 10 dressmakers and required over 1,440 hours to complete.
21. Princess Beatrice
After postponing her original May 2020 ceremony due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Princess Beatrice quietly married Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi on July 17, 2020. Her wedding dress—loaned by Queen Elizabeth II—served as both her “something borrowed” and “something old.” She personalized the vintage gown by adding voluminous organza sleeves and adjusting the hemline.
