Norman Hartnell designed Queen Elizabeth II’s 1947 wedding dress, a richly embroidered gown with a 13-foot train.
The dress was made from ivory silk satin and decorated with crystal and pearl embroidery. Its design drew on Botticelli’s painting Primavera, especially the floral and natural imagery. The embroidery included national emblems such as roses, thistles, shamrocks and wheat ears.
Elizabeth married Philip Mountbatten at Westminster Abbey on 20 November 1947. Because Britain was still recovering from the Second World War, the dress attracted unusual public attention, and some women reportedly saved clothing coupons to send the princess good wishes.
The gown is sometimes confused with Queen Victoria’s white wedding dress or Princess Diana’s elaborate 1981 design. Hartnell also designed clothing for other members of the royal family, but this 1947 gown remains one of his best-known bridal commissions.