Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon's Wedding Day

One last look back before we turn our attention to our televisions for William and Kate Middleton's wedding.  This time, the wedding day of Elizabeth and Albert, better known as the Queen Mother and King George VI.

Date:  26 April 1923
Place:  Westminster Abbey, London
Event:  Wedding of Lady Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon and Prince Albert (later King George VI)

Elizabeth's dress was designed by Madame Handley Seymour and is often looked back upon as dowdy and unfashionable. However, the dress was quite fashionable for the time but simply did not suit the bride's figure.

The dress was made of silk, ivory moire with a drop-waist and square-neck. Elizabeth wore a veil made of Flanders lace, borrowed from her mother-in-law and worn low over the brow in imitation of cloche hats that were en vogue.

The wedding was held in Westminster Abbey--the first royal wedding to happen in the Abbey in over 500 years. Elizabeth spontaneously laid her bouquet at the Tomb of the Unknown Warrior in the Abbey as she walked down the aisle. Thus, in the official portraits afterward, she is holding no bouquet. We may see Kate Middleton lay her bouquet at the tomb tomorrow.

With the recent success of The King's Speech, interest has been high in Elizabeth. Her wedding dress never seems to inspire any kind sentiments. By the late 1930s, when she became Queen, she had found a style that suited her much better with the creations of Norman Hartnell (who eventually created both of her daughters' wedding dresses).

Now--stay tuned to Fashionably Royal for a look at the fashions from Kate and William's wedding!