The Platinum Wedding Anniversary

The Wedding Dress

In 1947 Britain was still under the tight restrictions of post-war austerity and rationing was still a heavy presence in daily life. Princess Elizabeth, like any other bride, had to save ration tokens to buy the materials for her dress and the public were keen to support her, sending in their own tokens to help create the special dress.

The kind gesture was greatly appreciated but the rations were sent back with a note of thanks, and the government granted an extra 200 ration tokens for the royal wedding dress.

The dress was designed by Norman Hartnell, who also designed the coronation dress worn by Her Majesty just over five years later. The dress was fit for a princess – a duchesse satin bridal gown with motifs of star lilies and orange blossoms. The 13-foot silk tulle full court train was the crowning glory, embroidered in pearls, crystal and appliqué duchesse satin. True to the austere time, Princess Elizabeth did her own make-up on the big day.