Europe 1 with AFP / Photo credits: Kirsty Wigglesworth / POOL / AFP
Alongside the history-laden traditional uniforms and outfits ubiquitous at the coronation of Charles III, Queen Camilla and Princess Kate of Wales opted for British designers to create their coronation ceremonial dress on Saturday. The queen’s dress was made by Bruce Oldfield, a 72-year-old fashion designer who has already designed many dresses for Camilla.
Bruce Oldfield, made famous by Princess Diana
But the choice of Bruce Oldfield came as a surprise in the UK, as he was made famous by Princess Diana, Charles’ ex-wife. In the 80s, he designed dozens of evening dresses for her, including some of the most famous and glamorous for the princess, who died in 1997 in an accident in Paris. “I gave Diana her glamor and Camilla her confidence,” he said in 2014.
Camilla’s dress, ivory, combines silver and gold, in a sober cut. It is embroidered with British wildflowers, including daisies and forget-me-nots. The dress was cut from Peau de Soie, a silk fabric with a lustrous finish, and woven by Stephen Walters in Suffolk, England, Buckingham Palace said.
Kate Middleton’s dress created by Alexander McQueen
Kate appeared in a flamboyant outfit, in the colors of the British flag. Her ivory robe was covered with the mantle of the Royal Victorian Order. Her dress was created by Alexander McQueen, who had already made her wedding dress, in 2011. It is an ivory silk crepe dress with silver thread embroidery and patterns of roses, thistles, daffodils and clovers. Her headdress in silver, crystals and silver threads, embroidered with three-dimensional leaves, was signed Jess Collett x Alexander McQueen. Her earrings are made of pearls and diamonds that belonged to Diana. Kate and William’s daughter Charlotte also wore an Alexander McQueen dress and cape.
The coronation gave work to the oldest English workshops. Charles’ coronation tunic, for example, was made by Ede and Ravenscroft, known to be London’s oldest tailor, dating back over 330 years. This workshop has made clothes for all British coronations since that of King William and Queen Mary in 1689, according to Buckingham Palace.