Royal Wedding Dresses: Princess Margaret

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It's been called the height of simplicity and the epitome of sophistication. Vogue loved it while thousands have copied it. The wedding dress worn by Princess Margaret on May 6th 1960 as she wed Antony Armstrong-Jones is one of the most famous royal gowns of all. And you don't even need to look closely to find out why.





Margaret's gown was designed by Norman Hartnell who had created the Queen's wedding dress but the two couldn't have been more different. They were made just thirteen years apart but the way social change had influenced style was clear for all to see in the contrasting styles of these regal gowns. While that worn by the then Princess Elizabeth in 1947 had been all about pared back, post war elegance, Margaret's was big and bold and the epitome of the vibrant new feel that fashion had as the 1960s began.


The elegant jacket style top gave way to a huge skirt that lifted the whole look to fairytale. Long sleeves and a collar effect on the top add to the elegance. But what really made this different was the lack of embellishment. There is barely a pearl or sparkle to be seen. This gown is made of silk organza, with over 30 metres of fabric in the huge skirt alone, but the material is left to speak for itself. The result is a masterpiece of a wedding dress.




In some ways, it's very, very traditional. But the modern edge is there. Unlike other royal brides before her, Margaret didn't walk into Westminster Abbey with another dozen or so feet of fabric behind her. The skirt fans out into a mini train with a simple veil that extends just beyond it. But this royal wedding dress doesn't lack for drama because of that. Its simple top, pinched in waist and stand out skirt give this an impact other royal wedding dresses have struggled to find.




There's also the small matter of the big tiara which adds a regal air and then some. The Poltimore Tiara was bought by Margaret herself at auction (when you're a princess that's the kind of present you get for yourself) and took a starring role on her big day. The wall of diamond scrolls and flowers works perfectly with the simple elegance of the gown. The overall look is romantic perfection.

We know this marriage didn't end happily ever after but it began in a haze of beauty. The dress was so stunning it spawned hundreds of copies while the gown worn by Margaret's daughter-in-law, Serena, was closely based on this wedding look.

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