Queen Elizabeth II, renowned for her unique fashion sense, is particularly admired for her coronation dress. Here, we explore three fascinating facts about this piece of clothing.
Learning about things we don’t usually know can be very intriguing, especially when it comes to public figures. We’re always eager to uncover their secrets and fascinating facts.
One such figure is the late Queen Elizabeth II, who was admired for her unique fashion sense, often making bold choices even as the reigning monarch.
Her coronation day dress in 1953 was a perfect example of this. As the crown was placed, the occasion was not only remembered for the coronation but also for Queen Elizabeth’s white gown.
The gown featured intricate embroidery and beadwork that sparkled both in person and on-screen, as the event was the first-ever televised coronation ceremony.
The sophisticated gown was truly unique, with its complex detailing, sweetheart neckline, and voluminous skirt. However, there was more to this dress than met the eye.
According to Page Six, previously unknown secrets about Queen Elizabeth’s coronation came to light last year. This is just in time for the anticipation of her son’s crowning.
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She Wore Her Coronation Dress Six Times
One surprising fact is that Queen Elizabeth II wore her coronation dress six more times. Traditionally, a gown for such a significant event would be worn only once, but Queen Elizabeth defied this expectation.
During her post-coronation royal tour, she brought the dress along as she traveled around the world. She wore it in places such as Australia, New Zealand, Sri Lanka (formerly Ceylon), and Canada.
This gown held a special place in the Queen’s heart, not just because it was her coronation dress, but also because it contained a hidden good luck charm.
A four-leaf clover, a symbol of good luck, was secretly sewn onto the skirt, positioned just where Elizabeth’s left hand would cover it, according to royal fashion expert Rosie Harte.
Harte added that this charm was designed “to bring the designer and the dress good fortune with the press.”
“To help guide the Queen through the very long and complicated ceremony,” she added.
The Gown Included Symbolic Embroidery
The hidden good luck charm wasn’t the only thoughtful detail in Queen Elizabeth’s coronation dress.
The gown also featured symbols representing both the UK and the Commonwealth. Initially, the dress was designed to showcase only UK emblems, but Queen Elizabeth requested modifications to include symbols from Commonwealth nations.
Among the added emblems were the Australian wattle, Canadian maple leaf, Indian lotus, and New Zealand fern.
“Queen Elizabeth asked the designer to replace the Welsh daffodil with a leek. It’s the official flower, and to include symbols from all Commonwealth nations in the embroidery,” explained Harte.
“This change highlights Elizabeth’s attentiveness and her commitment to her role as monarch and head of state.”
Designed by a Renowned Wedding Designer
Her coronation dress was designed by a wedding designer, Norman Hartnell, who became a favorite of Queen Elizabeth. This is for his ability to provide intricate details and make specific modifications.
Hartnell had previously designed her beautiful silk wedding dress, so it was no surprise that she chose him for her coronation attire.
Hartnell presented nine design ideas, from which the Queen selected the eighth, with some specific alterations.
According to the Royal Collection Trust, Hartnell incorporated the Queen’s suggestions into the final piece. Which was made of white silk adorned with “gold bugle beads, diamantés, and pearls.”
As Britain and the world anxiously await updates on King Charles’s cancer treatment, many naturally reflect on his mother’s reign with a mix of nostalgia and regret.
Queen Elizabeth II, whose reign is the longest in British history, has played a significant role in shaping the current situation of the royal family.
She has been the most popular British royal for years, a status that continues to hold true today.
Banner photo via Wikimedia Commons.
