The Incredible Story Behind Queen Elizabeth's Wedding Dress

If you watched the first episode of the Netflix series The Crown back in 2017, you couldn't help but notice the stunning wedding dress that actress Claire Foy as Princess Elizabeth wore when walking down the aisle at Westminster Abbey. The gown was an exact replica of the one Princess Elizabeth wore when she wed Prince Philip at Westminster Abbey on November 20 in 1947. On that day, the wedding cake stood 9 feet tall, and we are not exaggerating. But let's get back to the details on that magnificent dress.

A Costume Designer Makes A Royal Achievement

The gown that was made for The Crown had a foundation of ivory silk satin and was encrusted with 10,000 seed pearls. It was embroidered with star lilies and orange blossoms. The final cost to make this during our modern times was £30,000 (that's about $37,000). And finally, this fluid yet beautifully adorned garment took seven weeks to make. The Emmy for Outstanding Period Costume for a series in 2017 went to The Crown's costume designer Michele Clapton and her team. That is a serious achievement in the [royal] realm of creativity in costuming.

The Original Gown Was Inspired By A Painting

Princess Elizabeth's original dress was designed by royal couturier Norman Hartnell, who, according to Harper's Bazaar, was inspired by Renaissance painter Sandro Botticelli's "Primavera", full of flowing lines and flowers that are reminiscent of the painting. According to the Royal Collection Trust, the gown and its evocation of spring was meant to symbolize "rebirth and growth" in Britain after the war.

This meticulously executed masterpiece by Botticelli is rightfully regarded as one of the world’s most recognizable artworks ever made. The painting is a celebration of love, peace, and prosperity. The composition is lightened by the abundance of fruits and flowers. At least 138 species of different plants have been identified, all accurately portrayed by Botticelli.

How Queen Elizabeth Paid For Her Wedding Dress

It took 350 women nearly two months to bring Hartnell's design to life. It wasn't just the embroidering of the 13-foot train, careful tailoring of the bodice, and importing the pearls from America that took so long. In 1947, the United Kingdom was working to rebuild after the devastation of World War II, and the country had strict austerity measures in place that applied to princesses as well as commoners.

That meant that Princess Elizabeth had to pay for her dress with clothing ration coupons, which she dutifully saved up until she had enough to pay for the gown with a little help from the government in the form of a 200-coupon supplement. According to Town & Country, when some of the soon-to-be Queen's young admirers heard about the rationing, they tried to send their own coupons to Elizabeth. However, transferring coupons was illegal, they were all returned with a thank you note and the princess paid for her gown herself.

Royal Patience Pays Off

Her patience paid off and the dress was absolutely gorgeous. It had a high neckline and long sleeves paired with a carefully tailored bodice and full skirt that led to a dramatic train that trailed after the soon-to-be queen. The young bride complemented the look with a double strand of pearls and a diamond tiara. According to the lore, even royal weddings have a little behind-the-scenes drama. As reported by Town & Country, Elizabeth's crown broke as she was getting ready for the ceremony and a royal jeweler had to rush over to repair it before the wedding.

Princess Elizabeth's outfit was completed with ivory duchesse satin high-heeled sandals, trimmed with silver and seed pearl buckles, made by Edward Rayne. The dress was a huge success. "With her bridal dress and tiara on her wedding day, she was a knockout," Lady Pamela Hicks, one of Elizabeth's bridesmaids, told People. That's exactly what a bride—commoner or royal—wants to hear on her wedding day. After the wedding, the dress was exhibited at St James' Palace and then went on tour across the UK.