Princess Elizabeth, 1947
Like all other postwar brides, Princess Elizabeth had to collect clothing coupons to pay for the gown she would wear to wed Lieutenant Philip Mountbatten. Due to her rank she was granted additional coupons by the government, and royal courtier Norman Hartnell was commissioned to produce a dress fit for a future Queen. It reportedly took 350 seamstresses seven weeks to sew the ivory gown of duchess silk. The regal dress was embellished with silver thread, sparkling crystals, 10,000 white seed pearls and transparent, appliqué tulle. The white and silver ornamentation contrasted with the creamy ivory of the silk to create a stunning pattern of stars and floral garlands, inspired by Botticelli’s Primavera. The wedding outfit had a four-metre, full court train that attached at the shoulders and was decorated with a floral design of jasmine and rose-style blossoms, completed with a silk tulle veil and duchess satin high-heeled sandals.