When we think of royal weddings, very specific images come to mind. We think of Princess Diana’s extravagant gown with its never-ending train or Megan Markle’s classic bateau Givenchy dream. A dress less known but even more dramatic is that of Queen Letizia of Spain.
This royal, who was a successful news anchor before she became queen, has gone down in history for having the most expensive wedding dress in history. She walked down the aisle to marry then heir to the throne Prince Felipe on May 22, 2004, in a gown that cost an estimated $8 million (R135 881 600). The pair married in the Almudena Cathedral at the Royal Palace of Madrid, Spain, and became king and queen in 2014.
The off-white dress was designed by Royal couturier Manuel Pertegaz, and featured long sleeves, a unique structured open collar and a four and-a-half metre train. There were floral motifs embroidered onto the silk gown in silver and gold thread.
She adorned her tresses with a lace veil and the Prussian Tiara, which had also been worn by her mother-in-law, Queen Sofia, on her wedding day in 1962.
Feature images: Instagram / Queen Letizia
