Evolution of the Royal Wedding Dress

Evolution of the Royal Wedding Dress

These Historic Gowns Weren't Just Fashion Statements
Royal Wedding Dress as Symbol
Until Friday morning, probably the biggest mystery surrounding the latest British royal wedding was who designed Kate Middleton's wedding dress.

But when the future Queen Elizabeth II (pictured) walked down the aisle in London's Westminster Abbey in 1947, her wedding dress was more than a fashion statement: It represented the hopes of a nation, according to royal wedding gown curator Joanna Marschner.

With food and clothing still being rationed in postwar Britain, royal dressmaker Norman Hartnell sought to convey a message of national renewal, instead of focusing on opulent materials. He did this in part by embroidering the gown with garlands of spring flowers.

"It is a dress with a message for that particular moment in time," said Marschner, of Historic Royal Palaces, an independent charity that acts as caretaker for five British royal buildings.

"I think you can say that about all the royal wedding dresses—they have become amazing documents that can say a lot about the year when they were worn."

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Kate and william wedding pictures

Kate and william wedding pictures

Prince drives his new bride away from the Palace in a vintage Aston after balcony kiss thrills the crowds
* William tells Kate 'You look beautiful' as she arrives at the altar
* He jokes with Kate's father 'we're supposed to have just a small family affair'
* Two BILLION people watch couple tie the knot
* 5,000 royals enthusiasts camped out overnight at The Mall
* Prince struggles to get ring on Kate's finger
* One million well-wishers line the streets to catch a glimpse of the couple
* Prince William takes the title Duke of Cambridge and Kate becomes Duchess

After a kiss that thrilled the nation, Prince William drove full throttle into the nation's affections as he took his new wife on an unexpected drive to Clarence House.
They left their Buckingham Palace reception in Prince Charles's open-top Aston Martin with 'Just wed' on the number plate.
It was the fitting climax to what had already been a remarkable day - and it was the common touch his mother Diana would have been proud of.
As the crowds roared, the couple emerged in the 38-year-old classic car with a yellow RAF rescue helicopter flying overhead.
The vehicle had been given to Charles as a gift when he turned 21. The couple drove round the front of the Palace before returning to the private reception.
They emerged from the Palace two hours after stepping out on the balcony and marked their marriage with their first public kiss.
But the first public embrace of William and his bride Catherine was so fleeting that you would have missed it if you had blinked.

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Weird Wedding

Weird Wedding

These photos were taken in the Chinese province. The groom wore a suit over the lingerie, but for cowards attached banana ...

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How to knit your own Royal wedding line-up

How to knit your own Royal wedding line-up

If you’re needled about not being invited to the royal wedding, don’t despair – for now you can knit yourself there.

Among the wealth of tea towels, printed plates and specially forged coins, this unusual souvenir kit has emerged, featuring knitting patterns for ten ‘characters’ from William and Kate’s nuptials.

These include the bride and groom, the Queen and Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams. And, of course, the corgis.

Plus, with extra patterns provided for ‘guests’, patriotic needleworkers can knit themselves into the April 29 party.


The designs are in a £9.99 book by Fiona Goble – whose previous efforts include Knitivity, a make-your-own nativity handbook – but the wool to create the whole set will cost around £80.

Other ‘characters’ include Prince Philip, Prince Charles, Camilla Parker Bowles and Prince Harry and each takes around five hours to make – if you know what you’re doing.

Amateurs are warned that the designs’ intricate details – such as Kate’s diamante engagement ring and the jewels on her slippers – may cause them to drop a few stitches.

All the characters’ uniforms have been carefully researched and they are perfectly in height proportion, but the author did have to take a gamble on the bride’s dress – as no one yet knows what Kate’s gown will look like.

Mrs Goble said the bride-to-be’s features were the most difficult to imitate.

‘Kate was the hardest for me to create because she is pretty,’ she said. ‘They’re not supposed to be caricatures. Some of the others have more obvious features.

‘Harry was the easiest – he has small eyes and a long face. And Rowan Williams because he has very distinctive wild hair and glasses.’

If you’re a novice knitter the easiest character to make is Harry, she advises – but the corgis are tough because of their ‘tiny legs’.

And although Mrs Goble acknowledges the wool is expensive, she says sourcing it in charity shops is half the fun.

‘If you have to scavenge for it, you get much more into the make-do-and-mend spirit of the project,’ she said.

Souvenir-makers launched into action immediately after the announcement of the engagement, mindful that memorabilia of the 1981 Royal nuptials remain highly sought by collectors.

Experts estimated the wedding could boost the struggling British economy by £620million through sales of merchandise and tourism.







Read More: Dailymail

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Mike Myers Secretly Weds

Mike Myers Secretly Weds

Mike Myers secretly wed longtime girlfriend Kelly Tisdale more than five months ago, the actor's rep confirms to New York Post's Page Six. The two tied the knot in a private ceremony in NYC.
The comedian, 47, and his 30-something bride began dating in 2006, after Myers split from his first wife, comedy writer and actress Robin Ruzan.
The Shrek star and Ruzan were married for 12 years before ending their union in 2005; he cited his then-wife as the inspiration for Austin Powers, as he played a similarly goofy character at home. Ruzan's mother, Linda, also inspired one of his most popular Saturday Night Life characters, Coffee Talk TV host Linda Richman.
Read More: Usmagazine

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Mike Myers Secretly Weds

Mike Myers Secretly Weds

Mike Myers secretly wed longtime girlfriend Kelly Tisdale more than five months ago, the actor's rep confirms to New York Post's Page Six. The two tied the knot in a private ceremony in NYC.
The comedian, 47, and his 30-something bride began dating in 2006, after Myers split from his first wife, comedy writer and actress Robin Ruzan.


The Shrek star and Ruzan were married for 12 years before ending their union in 2005; he cited his then-wife as the inspiration for Austin Powers, as he played a similarly goofy character at home. Ruzan's mother, Linda, also inspired one of his most popular Saturday Night Life characters, Coffee Talk TV host Linda Richman.
Read More: Usmagazine

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Princess Diana's Niece Lady Amelia Appears in Court

Princess Diana's Niece Lady Amelia Appears in Court

Princess Diana's Niece Lady Amelia Appears in Court

Princess Diana's niece Lady Amelia appears in court accused of 'kicking and hitting man on crutches in McDonald's queue'
* Alleged assault victim says he was knocked unconscious and needed brain scan
* Lady Amelia allegedly flicked cigarette butt into car in a rage
* Heiress was accompanied by one of her sisters during incident
Princess Diana's 18-year-old niece arrived at Cape Town Magistrates' Court today accused of flicking a cigarette at a man on crutches before kicking and hitting him.
Lady Amelia, who is the daughter of Diana’s brother Earl Spencer, arrived at the court with her mother Victoria Spencer to answer a charge of common assault following the December 2010 incident. Lady Amelia allegedly carried out the attack with a male companion as they waited to buy burgers at a branch of McDonald’s in South Africa.

Princess Diana's Niece Lady Amelia Appears in Court

Official documents revealed that the young aristocrat has been formally accused of ‘flicking a cigarette butt' into a taxi, then ‘swearing, smacking and kicking’ the car’s passenger, Ricci Cinti.
It had previously been alleged that she launched into a foul-mouthed tirade and struck the vehicle during a fracas at 2.30am on December 29.
She was accompanied by one of her sisters – either her twin Lady Eliza or former Tatler cover girl Lady Kitty Spencer, 20 – and two men.

Princess Diana's Niece Lady Amelia Appears in Court

The heiress may have been celebrating her elder sister’s birthday. Lady Kitty Spencer turned 20 on December 28.
According to reports, the teenager flew into a rage when Mr Cinti’s taxi cut in front of a Mini Cooper at a drive-through branch of the burger chain in Cape Town.
Mr Cinti, 27, who was on crutches following a football injury, claims Lady Amelia swore at him and smacked his taxi. He alleges that he was pulled out of the car and knocked to the ground.

Princess Diana's Niece Lady Amelia Appears in Court

The self-employed machinist, who lives in Cape Town, said he was knocked out and suffered a swollen jaw in the assault, which led to him undergoing a brain scan.
Lady Amelia and her male companion apparently sped off but police traced the car and arrested her for assault.
The pretty heiress was dressed in black leggings, a black top and a grey cardigan to the hearing, which had been adjourned following a court date last month.

Princess Diana's Niece Lady Amelia Appears in Court

Princess Diana's Niece Lady Amelia Appears in Court

At the last hearing, Lady Amelia’s lawyer, William Booth, told magistrate Mary-Anne Attridge that Mr Cinti had not suffered any injuries in the alleged assault.
He said that as a result he is applying to South Africa’s director of public prosecutions for the case to be thrown out of court.
Outside court, Mr Booth said Lady Amelia barely knows the companion accused of helping her in the assault. He was a ‘friend of a friend’ known only as John.
‘There may have been some rowdy behaviour on the part of a number of people,’ he admitted.
‘It seems the main proponent was this other guy referred to only as John. He had got a lift in the car my client was travelling in but my client certainly does not know him well.’
Police spokesman November Filander said: ‘The detectives didn’t get hold of the guy. They only know his name, not his address. They are busy looking for him. There were four people in the car: Amelia, one of her sisters and two men.’
Earl Spencer, 46, is believed to have stayed in Britain as his daughter appeared in court last month. He has claimed she was merely acting in self-defence after being bruised in the melee.
Lady Amelia, who will one day share in his £100million fortune, was brought up in the exclusive Constantia area of Cape Town by her mother, a former model, after an acrimonious split from Earl Spencer.
The case continues.
Read More: Dailymail

More about → Princess Diana's Niece Lady Amelia Appears in Court

Princess Diana's Niece Lady Amelia Appears in Court

Princess Diana's Niece Lady Amelia Appears in Court

Princess Diana's Niece Lady Amelia Appears in Court

Princess Diana's niece Lady Amelia appears in court accused of 'kicking and hitting man on crutches in McDonald's queue'
* Alleged assault victim says he was knocked unconscious and needed brain scan
* Lady Amelia allegedly flicked cigarette butt into car in a rage
* Heiress was accompanied by one of her sisters during incident
Princess Diana's 18-year-old niece arrived at Cape Town Magistrates' Court today accused of flicking a cigarette at a man on crutches before kicking and hitting him.
Lady Amelia, who is the daughter of Diana’s brother Earl Spencer, arrived at the court with her mother Victoria Spencer to answer a charge of common assault following the December 2010 incident.
Lady Amelia allegedly carried out the attack with a male companion as they waited to buy burgers at a branch of McDonald’s in South Africa.

Princess Diana's Niece Lady Amelia Appears in Court

Official documents revealed that the young aristocrat has been formally accused of ‘flicking a cigarette butt' into a taxi, then ‘swearing, smacking and kicking’ the car’s passenger, Ricci Cinti.
It had previously been alleged that she launched into a foul-mouthed tirade and struck the vehicle during a fracas at 2.30am on December 29.
She was accompanied by one of her sisters – either her twin Lady Eliza or former Tatler cover girl Lady Kitty Spencer, 20 – and two men.

Princess Diana's Niece Lady Amelia Appears in Court

The heiress may have been celebrating her elder sister’s birthday. Lady Kitty Spencer turned 20 on December 28.
According to reports, the teenager flew into a rage when Mr Cinti’s taxi cut in front of a Mini Cooper at a drive-through branch of the burger chain in Cape Town.
Mr Cinti, 27, who was on crutches following a football injury, claims Lady Amelia swore at him and smacked his taxi. He alleges that he was pulled out of the car and knocked to the ground.

Princess Diana's Niece Lady Amelia Appears in Court

The self-employed machinist, who lives in Cape Town, said he was knocked out and suffered a swollen jaw in the assault, which led to him undergoing a brain scan.
Lady Amelia and her male companion apparently sped off but police traced the car and arrested her for assault.
The pretty heiress was dressed in black leggings, a black top and a grey cardigan to the hearing, which had been adjourned following a court date last month.

Princess Diana's Niece Lady Amelia Appears in Court

Princess Diana's Niece Lady Amelia Appears in Court

At the last hearing, Lady Amelia’s lawyer, William Booth, told magistrate Mary-Anne Attridge that Mr Cinti had not suffered any injuries in the alleged assault.
He said that as a result he is applying to South Africa’s director of public prosecutions for the case to be thrown out of court.
Outside court, Mr Booth said Lady Amelia barely knows the companion accused of helping her in the assault. He was a ‘friend of a friend’ known only as John.
‘There may have been some rowdy behaviour on the part of a number of people,’ he admitted.
‘It seems the main proponent was this other guy referred to only as John. He had got a lift in the car my client was travelling in but my client certainly does not know him well.’
Police spokesman November Filander said: ‘The detectives didn’t get hold of the guy. They only know his name, not his address. They are busy looking for him. There were four people in the car: Amelia, one of her sisters and two men.’
Earl Spencer, 46, is believed to have stayed in Britain as his daughter appeared in court last month. He has claimed she was merely acting in self-defence after being bruised in the melee.
Lady Amelia, who will one day share in his £100million fortune, was brought up in the exclusive Constantia area of Cape Town by her mother, a former model, after an acrimonious split from Earl Spencer.
The case continues.
Read More: Dailymail

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Celeb Wedding Anniversaries

Celeb Wedding Anniversaries

Celeb wedding anniversaries

Celeb Wedding Anniversaries
February of course is a month known for love. Find out which celebrities marked their nuptials in this month and see if they are still together or if cupid’s arrow misfired after the lavish weddings.

Jennifer Lopez & Ojani Noa

Jennifer Lopez & Ojani Noa
Married Feb. 22, 1997
The marriage: Singer, actress and "American Idol" judge Jennifer Lopez and Ojani Noa married in a bilingual, Catholic ceremony.
The divorce: They divorced shortly after.
She is now married to singer Marc Anthony, and the two are parents to twins Max and Emme.

Nicolas Sarkozy & Carla Bruni

Nicolas Sarkozy & Carla Bruni
Married Feb. 7, 2008
French president Nicolas Sarkozy and former model Carla Bruni. The ceremony was performed by the mayor.

Katharine McPhee & Nick Cokas

Katharine McPhee & Nick Cokas
Married Feb. 2, 2008
Singer and former "American Idol" contestant Katharine McPhee and producer Nick Cokas married just over two years ago. McPhee walked down the aisle to bagpipe music and serenaded Cokas during the reception to "She's Got a Way" by Billy Joel.

Salma Hayek & Francois-Henri Pinault

Salma Hayek & Francois-Henri Pinault
Married Feb. 14, 2009
Actress and producer Salma Hayek and billionaire Francois-Henri Pinault. The couple had a small private wedding and are parents of daughter Valentina.
Pinault is the CEO of this luxury-brand company, which owns fashion houses Gucci, Bottega Veneta and Yves Saint Laurent, among others.

Diana Ross & Arne Naess

Diana Ross & Arne Naess
Married Feb. 1, 1986
The marriage: Iconic singer and actress Diana Ross and Norwegian billionaire shipping magnate Arne Naess had a fairy-tale wedding after a civil ceremony in October in New York City.
The divorce: They lasted many years.
His death: He died in a tragic accident.

Shannen Doherty & Richard Solomon

Shannen Doherty & Richard Solomon
Married Feb. 3, 2002
The marriage: Actress Shannen Doherty (best known for her roles in "Beverly Hills 90210" and "Charmed") and Richard Solomon – best known for a sex tape with Paris Hilton – were briefly married.

Elizabeth Taylor & Michael Todd

Elizabeth Taylor & Michael Todd
Married Feb. 15, 1957
The marriage: When iconic actress Elizabeth Taylor ("A Place in the Sun") wed Michael Todd, he was 24 years older than Liz, and she had been divorced from her previous husband – who was he? – for only three days. They had a daughter later that year. Less than a year into the marriage, Todd died in a tragic accident. Find out what happened.

Frank Sinatra & Nancy Barbato

Frank Sinatra & Nancy Barbato
Married Feb. 4, 1939
The marriage: The legendary Frank Sinatra married his first wife, Nancy Barbato, when he was 19. They had Sinatra's first child in June of that year.
The divorce: After three children and Sinatra's extramarital affairs, the couple divorced. When? He went on to marry iconic actress Ava Gardner, with whom he'd had an affair during his marriage to Barbato.

Judi Dench & Michael Williams

Judi Dench & Michael Williams
Married Feb. 17, 1971
Actress Judi Dench and actor Michael Williams married in Hampstead, England. They met while working at the Royal Shakespeare Company. Their wedding reception was held at a zoo. The couple were married until his death in 2001.

Sarah McLachlan & Ashwin Sood

Sarah McLachlan & Ashwin Sood
Married Feb. 7, 1997
The marriage: Singer Sarah McLachlan and Ashwin Sood. They exchanged their vows in a gazebo overlooking the ocean and now have two children.
The separation: They were married for an eternity by celebrity standards. In what year did the couple announced their separation?

Bob and Rita Marley

Bob and Rita Marley
Married Feb. 20, 1966
Iconic reggae singer Bob Marley wed and Rita Marley while she was pregnant with the couple's first of three children. Bob adopted two children Rita had prior to their marriage. The two remained married until the singer's death, despite constant infidelity on Bob's part that resulted in seven other children.

Cary Grant & Virginia Cherrill

Cary Grant & Virginia Cherrill
Married Feb. 21, 1934
The marriage: Legendary actor Cary Grant and actress Virginia Cherrill met at the premiere of "Blonde Venus."
The divorce: The marriage – Cherrill's second and Grant's first of five – lasted only a short time. She divorced him – following charges that Grant had hit her.

Queen Victoria of England & Prince Albert

Queen Victoria of England & Prince Albert
Married Feb. 10, 1840
The wedding of Queen Victoria of England and Prince Albert began with a procession and 21-gun salute. The royal couple were married until Albert's death from this illness in December 1861.

Ringo Starr & Maureen Cox

Ringo Starr & Maureen Cox
Married Feb. 11, 1965
The marriage: Beatle Ringo Starr and Maureen Cox married when Cox was 18. They had three children.
The divorce: They lasted quite a while, despite extramarital affairs by both husband and wife.

William Shatner & Elizabeth Anderson Martin

William Shatner & Elizabeth Anderson Martin
Married Feb. 13, 2001
Actor William Shatner and Elizabeth Anderson Martin have been married for a decade. Martin is Shatner's fourth wife.
Read More: MSN

More about → Celeb Wedding Anniversaries

Celeb Wedding Anniversaries

Celeb Wedding Anniversaries

Celeb wedding anniversaries

Celeb Wedding Anniversaries
February of course is a month known for love. Find out which celebrities marked their nuptials in this month and see if they are still together or if cupid’s arrow misfired after the lavish weddings.

Jennifer Lopez & Ojani Noa

Jennifer Lopez & Ojani Noa
Married Feb. 22, 1997
The marriage: Singer, actress and "American Idol" judge Jennifer Lopez and Ojani Noa married in a bilingual, Catholic ceremony.
The divorce: They divorced shortly after.
She is now married to singer Marc Anthony, and the two are parents to twins Max and Emme.

Nicolas Sarkozy & Carla Bruni

Nicolas Sarkozy & Carla Bruni
Married Feb. 7, 2008
French president Nicolas Sarkozy and former model Carla Bruni. The ceremony was performed by the mayor.

Katharine McPhee & Nick Cokas

Katharine McPhee & Nick Cokas
Married Feb. 2, 2008
Singer and former "American Idol" contestant Katharine McPhee and producer Nick Cokas married just over two years ago. McPhee walked down the aisle to bagpipe music and serenaded Cokas during the reception to "She's Got a Way" by Billy Joel.

Salma Hayek & Francois-Henri Pinault

Salma Hayek & Francois-Henri Pinault
Married Feb. 14, 2009
Actress and producer Salma Hayek and billionaire Francois-Henri Pinault. The couple had a small private wedding and are parents of daughter Valentina.
Pinault is the CEO of this luxury-brand company, which owns fashion houses Gucci, Bottega Veneta and Yves Saint Laurent, among others.

Diana Ross & Arne Naess

Diana Ross & Arne Naess
Married Feb. 1, 1986
The marriage: Iconic singer and actress Diana Ross and Norwegian billionaire shipping magnate Arne Naess had a fairy-tale wedding after a civil ceremony in October in New York City.
The divorce: They lasted many years.
His death: He died in a tragic accident.

Shannen Doherty & Richard Solomon

Shannen Doherty & Richard Solomon
Married Feb. 3, 2002
The marriage: Actress Shannen Doherty (best known for her roles in "Beverly Hills 90210" and "Charmed") and Richard Solomon – best known for a sex tape with Paris Hilton – were briefly married.

Elizabeth Taylor & Michael Todd

Elizabeth Taylor & Michael Todd
Married Feb. 15, 1957
The marriage: When iconic actress Elizabeth Taylor ("A Place in the Sun") wed Michael Todd, he was 24 years older than Liz, and she had been divorced from her previous husband – who was he? – for only three days. They had a daughter later that year. Less than a year into the marriage, Todd died in a tragic accident. Find out what happened.

Frank Sinatra & Nancy Barbato

Frank Sinatra & Nancy Barbato
Married Feb. 4, 1939
The marriage: The legendary Frank Sinatra married his first wife, Nancy Barbato, when he was 19. They had Sinatra's first child in June of that year.
The divorce: After three children and Sinatra's extramarital affairs, the couple divorced. When? He went on to marry iconic actress Ava Gardner, with whom he'd had an affair during his marriage to Barbato.

Judi Dench & Michael Williams

Judi Dench & Michael Williams
Married Feb. 17, 1971
Actress Judi Dench and actor Michael Williams married in Hampstead, England. They met while working at the Royal Shakespeare Company. Their wedding reception was held at a zoo. The couple were married until his death in 2001.

Sarah McLachlan & Ashwin Sood

Sarah McLachlan & Ashwin Sood
Married Feb. 7, 1997
The marriage: Singer Sarah McLachlan and Ashwin Sood. They exchanged their vows in a gazebo overlooking the ocean and now have two children.
The separation: They were married for an eternity by celebrity standards. In what year did the couple announced their separation?

Bob and Rita Marley

Bob and Rita Marley
Married Feb. 20, 1966
Iconic reggae singer Bob Marley wed and Rita Marley while she was pregnant with the couple's first of three children. Bob adopted two children Rita had prior to their marriage. The two remained married until the singer's death, despite constant infidelity on Bob's part that resulted in seven other children.

Cary Grant & Virginia Cherrill

Cary Grant & Virginia Cherrill
Married Feb. 21, 1934
The marriage: Legendary actor Cary Grant and actress Virginia Cherrill met at the premiere of "Blonde Venus."
The divorce: The marriage – Cherrill's second and Grant's first of five – lasted only a short time. She divorced him – following charges that Grant had hit her.

Queen Victoria of England & Prince Albert

Queen Victoria of England & Prince Albert
Married Feb. 10, 1840
The wedding of Queen Victoria of England and Prince Albert began with a procession and 21-gun salute. The royal couple were married until Albert's death from this illness in December 1861.

Ringo Starr & Maureen Cox

Ringo Starr & Maureen Cox
Married Feb. 11, 1965
The marriage: Beatle Ringo Starr and Maureen Cox married when Cox was 18. They had three children.
The divorce: They lasted quite a while, despite extramarital affairs by both husband and wife.

William Shatner & Elizabeth Anderson Martin

William Shatner & Elizabeth Anderson Martin
Married Feb. 13, 2001
Actor William Shatner and Elizabeth Anderson Martin have been married for a decade. Martin is Shatner's fourth wife.
Read More: MSN

More about → Celeb Wedding Anniversaries