Exclusive: How Lady Gabriella Windsor Designed Her Wedding Dress
This morning, the world is waking up to yet another royal wedding (the third in a year) with the union of Lady Gabriella Windsor (daughter of Prince and Princess Michael of Kent and the Queen's first cousin once removed) and financier Thomas Kingston (a former flame of Pippa Middleton's) at St. George's Chapel.
Unlike the royal marriages that came before them-Prince Harry and Meghan Markle last May and Princess Eugenie and Jack Brooksbank last fall-this one was a private affair, meaning no carriage processions or invites for the public onto the grounds of Windsor Castle. We do, however, have all the details on the 38-year-old bride's custom wedding gown, designed by the Italian designer Luisa Beccaria. Here, Beccaria spoke to T&C exclusively about designing the dress.
Tell us about working with Lady Gabriella Windsor and how she reached out to you about designing her wedding dress.
I met Ella some years ago at her father Prince Michael of Kent's birthday party, where she told me she was a fan of our dreamy dresses. She came to see our collection and soon started wearing our pieces for different occasions. She also visited us in Sicily one summer and became a friend to my daughter Lucilla. When she got engaged, Ella flew to Milan to try some dresses on and came back to us a few weeks later with all her decisions made: the type of lace, the shape, the embroidery, and color! She did this process all by herself, with just the help of Lucilla and myself.
What were some inspirations you and Lady Gabriella drew from while designing?
We did take a look at the wedding dress of her grandmother, Princess Marina of Greece, who married Prince George, Duke of Kent. Ella is wearing her tiara! The dress is completely different but we kept in mind the idea of a long train.
Tell us more about the design elements of the dress.
The wedding dress is in lace that is then embroidered with flowers and embellishments. The front of the dress is quite pure and fluid, while the back of the dress is more dramatic-the skirt fans out into a long train. There is a light tulle corset that holds the dress's strapless part. The sleeves are transparent lace doubled with pink tulle. The color of the dress, which is a shade of blush, is obtained from different layers of tulle and organza that make the body of the gown.
Were there any particular royal protocols you had to keep in mind while designing the dress?
Initially, the lace was embroidered in blush instead of off-white. Ella thought the result was a bit too pink. So we re-embroidered the lace again, and kept the blush color for the inside layers. Ella wanted something pure and fresh, but also regal. She also wanted long sleeves but I'm not sure if that was a matter of royal protocol.
What else did you design for this wedding?
Her evening dress is also our creation! It's tulle embroidered in mother of pearl thread and it's quite open-it has long, wide ribbons on both sides.
What was your favorite part about working with Lady Windsor?
Ella is an incredible example of a woman who is both elegant and ethereal, but also possesses a strong character and personality. Like I said, Lucilla and I were the only ones involved in her choices. She's a real contemporary princess.
Describe the quintessential Luisa Beccaria bride.
Dreamy, fresh, a radiant beauty.
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