30 Royal Outfits You Didn’t Know Had Hidden Meanings

When Elizabeth married in 1947, her wedding dress was designed to be a symbol of the nation, royal wedding gown curator Joanna Marschner told National Geographic. With everything still rationed in post-WWII Britain, the idea was to send a message of national renewal and hope for the future.

The dress was embroidered with garlands of spring flowers, inspired by the Botticelli painting “Allegory of Spring”. Interestingly, this piece of art from circa 1482 likely was painted for a wedding, too, and now hangs in the Uffizi Gallery in Florence.

If you've seen The Crown, you'll know twice-divorced Wallis did marry a royal. Or at least a former royal, then-King Edward. In fact, his love for her caused the King to abdicate from the throne to marry her in 1937. When they wed, she wore a striking blue gown in pale blue silk. The colour was coined “Wallis Blue" as the fabric was dyed to match her eyes.

When Fergie walked down the aisle, her gown held a great deal of significance, according to the Los Angeles Times. The gown itself was beaded with bees and thistles, representing the bride’s coat of arms. Anchors and waves were embroidered on her veil to signify husband Andrew’s position as an officer in the Royal Navy, along with his monogram. Finally, the letter "S" - for Sarah - was beaded several times across the bodice.

When Sarah Ferguson walked down the aisle on the arm of her father in 1986, she wore a flower headdress. After she signed her marriage certificate, she removed it and revealed the stunning York tiara, specially commissioned for the wedding and gifted by the Queen. The ceremonial removal of the flowers symbolised Fergie’s official entrance into the royal family.

The Spencer family had some impressive jewels of its own, as evidenced by the fact that Diana wore her own family’s iconic headpiece on her wedding day in 1981.

The tiara was originally given to her grandmother in 1919, with additional pieces added in the 1930s, according to People. Both of Diana’s sisters (and her sister-in-law) wore the tiara at their own weddings, making it a tradition to wear this family heirloom on one’s wedding day.

On the day that Charles admitted his infidelity in a televised interview, Diana wore this fabulous black dress by Christina Stambolian. It was so famous that it became known as "the revenge dress".

Diana was known for her royal rebellion, shown here as she wore an emerald and diamond choker that was loaned from the Queen as a headband. Perhaps not what the Queen had in mind, but it worked — and showed Diana’s individual sense of style.

The Queen’s gloves have two hidden purposes. Genevieve James, creative director of Cornelia James, told Good Housekeeping that the company has supplied the Queen’s pairs for more than 70 years.

First, white gloves have simply always been a part of the Queen’s signature style. Reason number two is simple: protecting her hands, as she has to shake a lot of hands.

As one of the most photographed women in the world, Diana learned how to shield herself from manipulative press photos.

Every time she exited a vehicle in a dress that could possibly reveal too much, she strategically placed her clutch over her chest.

Kate’s blue polka-dot dress, worn when introducing baby George to the world, paid sweet homage to her late mother-in-law, Diana.

As Town & Country points out, the billowy dress was very similar to the one Diana wore when leaving the hospital with Prince William 30 years earlier.

It’s not unusual for the royals to pay tribute to a host country when on tour by wearing something adorned with a national bird, flower or colour. Here, the royal family’s ensembles portrayed the colours of the country's flag - red and white for Poland.

Marie Claire UK says the same goes for the striking eagles in flight dress that Kate wore in 2017 in Germany, where eagles are the national bird. The dress was also created by a German designer.

Kate chose a green tea-length Prada dress with poppy print for a visit to Diana’s memorial garden on the 20th anniversary of her death in 2017. It’s a subtle tribute to Diana, as poppies signify remembrance. The dress also featured a bow neckline, a style Diana often wore herself.

Kate’s cheerful red dress with white details was reminiscent of the dress Diana wore when introducing baby Prince Harry. Time said Twitter users also commented that the colours may be in honour of England’s patron saint, St. George, whose holiday happens to fall on the same day as the prince’s birth.

The Queen never shies from bright colours, lime and purple ensemble was no different. But it may also have been a message for the happy couple: purple may be a nod to the Queen’s approval of the marriage, while green is a colour of growth, rebirth, respect and intention for the future, according to colour consultant June McLeod for Good Housekeeping.