Mother Of The Bride Outfit Inspirations From Royal Weddings Over The Years
From spring pastels to occasion suits
By Harper’s Bazaar Singapore Team - published
As the only member of Meghan Markle’s family at her wedding to Prince Harry, Doria Ragland shared the stage with her daughter as they arrived together at Windsor Castle. The mother of the bride looked elegant and poised in her mint-green Oscar de la Renta ensemble.
Her overcoat featured a pretty white floral print and was worn over a matching shift dress. Doria paired the chic design with a wool hat by Stephen Jones, subtle drop pearl earrings and a contrasting box clutch.
The royal bride looked stunning in a dress by Clare Waight Keller, the artistic director at Givenchy.
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Carole opted for a classic look in a pale pink coat dress by Catherine Walker when her daughter Pippa married James Matthews in May 2017. She chose a neutral-coloured bag and shoes, with her hair left loose under a striking headpiece.
Kate's sister Pippa wore a dress designed by Giles Deacon for her big day.
The Queen’s daughter is known as one of the thriftiest members of the royal family, thanks to her regular recycling of outfits. She often favours classic styles, like the spring-inspired look she chose for her daughter Zara Phillips’ nuptials in 2011.
When Zara tied-the-knot to Mike Tindall, Princess Anne looked radiant in a coral-coloured dress paired with a cropped floral-print jacket, pearl necklace and beige gloves. She added a floral fascinator instead of a full hat.
The Queen's eldest granddaughter wore a full-skirted dress by Stewart Parvin for her Edinburgh wedding.
As Carole Middleton has shown at both of her daughters' nuptials, you can’t go wrong with pastels when it comes to MoB style. At Kate and William’s wedding in April 2011, Carole chose an ice-blue coat and dress by Catherine Walker, paired with beige heels and a matching suede clutch. She kept the look fuss-free with subtle accessories and a saucer-shaped hat.
Kate tied-the-knot with Prince William wearing an Alexander McQueen gown.
Mothers of the bride or groom who would prefer not to wear a hat, take note. Princess Anne avoided a headpiece entirely at her son Peter’s Windsor wedding ceremony.
Autumn Kelly married the Queen's eldest grandchild in a gown by Sassi Holford.
Camilla looked elegant in a pleated mint-green coat at her daughter Laura's 2006 wedding. The duchess, who is known for her stylish headwear, paired the simple design with a statement-making headpiece. Her spring wedding outfit was completed with a floral-print clutch bag and a pair of grey heels.
Laura wore a dress by Robinson Valentine when she married her her longterm partner Harry, a chartered accountant, in 2006.
Although technically not mother of the bride, the Queen was still firmly in the spotlight on her sons’ wedding days. When Prince Charles re-marred in 2005, the then 79-year-old monarch dressed for the cooler April weather in a very pale yellow tweed coat. Black might often be avoided at weddings, but the monarch showed her to add a touch of the colour with her shoes, gloves and Launer handbag.
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Camilla wore a coat and matching dress by Robinson Valentine for her marriage blessing in Windsor.
Perhaps her most glamorous wedding outfit to date, the Queen chose a floor-length lavender gown with lace detailing for Prince Edward's Windsor wedding. She paired the sparkling design with with a matching shawl, shoes and handbag. Her look was complete with an ostrich-feather headpiece, pearl jewellery and a touch of fuchsia pink lipstick.
The bride wore a v-neck gown by Samantha Shaw with a long, flowing train.
The Queen’s late sister was undoubtedly a fashion icon in her day and when her daughter, Lady Sarah, married in 1994, Margaret got her summer wedding style spot on.
She was dressed in top-to-toe ice blue teamed with a matching hat, pearl necklace and white accessories. She chose a flattering midi-length coat to wear over her dress and kept her look a little less formal with a pair of sandals.
The Queen's niece married actor Daniel Chatto at St Stephen Walbrook church in the City of London.
Sarah Ferguson's mother made a statement in head-to-toe yellow on the royal wedding day in 1986. She sat with Prince Philip in the open-top carriage ride to Buckingham Palace.
Blue was the Queen’s colour of choice at Prince Andrew’s 1986 wedding. She chose a softer, periwinkle shade for her knee-length coat, worn over a pleated skirt. She made a statement in a striking disc-shaped hat – and matched her sister, Princess Margaret, who also chose a bright blue outfit for the celebration.
The bride's ivory satin gown was designed by London-based couturier Lindka Cierach.
When Prince Charles married Lady Diana Spencer in 1981, the world was watching. The mother of the bride looked elegant in violet as she soaked up the atmosphere alongside Prince Philip. She paired her ruffled silk top with a matching hat and a pearl necklace.
The mother of the groom shone brightly in a turquoise coat and hat paired with the Queen’s staple accessory – a pair of white gloves. A pearl necklace and a diamond brooch added a touch of sparkle to her summer wedding outfit.
Diana wore an ivory silk taffeta gown by David and Elizabeth Emanuel.
The Queen continued her tradition of wearing a block bright colour when her daughter, Princess Anne, married Mark Phillips in 1973. The monarch could be spotted on the balcony of Buckingham Palace in her royal blue coat and matching hat, designed by Sir Norman Hartnell for the occasion.
Anne chose a Tudor-style design by Maureen Baker.
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This article originally appeared on Harper's BAZAAR UK