WINDSOR – A new day dawned over sleepy Windsor, a little urban centre that woke up to another princely business (the second and last of the year) yesterday morning: the nuptials of HRH Princess Eugenie of York and her beloved Jack Brooksbank. The excitement of the people hastened to admire the pageantry of the procession was only comparable to the strong wind that beat on the quiet market town in the Berkshire, and the doomed fascinators worn by the gentle sex.
What did go well, what was unmissable, and what was conspicuously lamentable?
Please, read below.
HRH’s dress
All in all, Eugenie opted for a pretty traditional dress, with a V neckline, an interesting pattern for the fabric, everything designed by Peter Pilotto, based in East London. A grand long train completed the gown, but no veil for a real princess (by birth and blood) who wisely decided not to defy the Windsor winds, and to proudly show her scars. As one can read in a statement on the royal family’s website: “During several fittings, the dress was developed layer by layer, constructing it from the corset and the complex underskirt to the fitted bodice and full pleated skirt […] The dress features a neckline that folds around the shoulders to a low back that drapes into a flowing full length train. The low back feature on the dress was at the specific request of Princess Eugenie who had surgery aged 12 to correct scoliosis”.
HRH’s tiara
To adorn her royal head, Eugenie wore platinum, sparkling greens and diamonds, donning the beautiful Greville Emerald Kokoshnik Tiara, in the bandeau style, which exquisitely framed her face. A tasteful policy of no bracelets, necklaces or gaudy earrings enhanced her natural beauty.
The Brooksbank’s outfit
No military uniform for this British handsome chap. Jack decided to wear a traditional morning coat with matte lapels – a refined retro touch to the ensemble –, also sporting a royal blue waistcoat, a blue thistle and a notable family ring. Undeniably adorable it was to see him wear his spectacles to admire his future wife walking down the aisle, eventually handing them to his brother, the best man.
Flowers
One of the most elegant ingredients in this celebration were the flowers: a stylish, heart-warming visual hymn to this season. The floral arrangement was a magnificent display of Autumnal colours, brimming with roses, beautiful alkekengis (or Chinese lanterns), dahlias, hydrangeas and berries; a marvelous palette of dark greens, golden browns and baked yellows.
The best dressed
The guest list boasted more and less glamorous names. If, on the one hand, the gentlemen mainly opted for a morning coat, on the other, the ladies could showcase some more elaborated frocks and colours.
Without doubt, the best dressed were Princess Michael of Kent, Her Majesty the Queen, the Countess of Wessex, a trio of unnamed young guests, Crown Princess Marie Chantal of Greece and her daughter Olympia, Naomi Campbell, Pippa Middleton embracing her belly, and the bride’s mother, the Duchess of York, Sarah Ferguson. Both Pippa and Sarah wore green, the latter completing her outfit with a stylish hat and bow.
Princess Michael of Kent
Crown Princesses of Greece
Pippa Middleton
The Duchess of York
A Smiley Trio, the Merry Wives of Windsor
Flowing dresses for these unnamed guests
Les Merveilleuses
Brushing up the term coined for the post-French Revolution fashionable, exotic crowd, at every wedding there is someone who goes a little bit too far: too high, too low, too many accessories, too many sources of inspiration or historical references. This time, Cara Delevingne showed up in a frock that resembled that of a broncobuster, more of a Halloween costume than a wedding outfit. It would have been more interesting without that hideous top hat, and better off with an eclectic fascinator. Poppy Delevingne topped her multi-patterned mise with blue feathers on her hat: definitely too high, resembling the neck of a peacock, waving like palm trees in the wind. Finally, too many dots were literally spotted on Kate (Moss).
A big no for…
The Yellow Gloves 