RECENT ROYAL BRIDES
There can be no doubt that the world
loves a royal wedding.
Royal nuptials are a fascinating mix of ancient
tradition and modern-day opulence resulting in a heady concoction
of romance, ritual, and old-fashioned fairy tale magic. If
televised, they are watched by millions (sometimes billons); if
photos are published, magazines sell out in a flash. There is just
something about a royal wedding, with the dashing prince, blushing
bride, and all that pomp and pageantry, that melts even the most
cynical of hearts.
A bevy of beautiful young brides, including
Catherine Middleton, Charlene Wittstock, Princess Victoria of
Sweden, Tatiana Blatnik, Autumn Kelly, and Sophie Winkleman, have
recently joined the royal fray and we are still clamoring for every
detail of their storybook celebrations.
One only needs to look to Princess Grace and
Princess Diana to see how royal brides can influence global fashion
to an overwhelming extent. But these days, it’s not only about what
newly wedded royal women are wearing—it’s more about what they are
doing. Which charities are they supporting? Which causes are
they championing? In the coming years, it will be interesting to
see how these ladies use their new titles and royal connections to
have a positive impact.
As the future Queen of Sweden, Princess Victoria’s
career is already laid out for her. But will Kate Middleton be able
to fill the void that Princess Diana left behind? Will the new
Princess Charlene be able to replace Grace Kelly as Monaco’s female
figurehead? Will Lady Frederick Windsor forge ahead with her acting
career? Will Autumn return to her Asian studies once she bears the
queen’s first greatgrandchild ? Only time will tell. Although
joining a royal house often means devoting all of your time to duty
and tradition, these talented ladies are sure to shine in their own
unique ways.
HRH CATHERINE, DUCHESS OF CAMBRIDGE
THE GROOM: Second in line to the British
throne, Prince William’s parents are HRH Prince Charles and the
late Diana, Princess of Wales. His fairy tale lineage and swoonful
good looks once made William the most sought after bachelor in the
world.
THE BRIDE: Born January 9, 1982, Kate
Middleton attended Marlborough College before earning a degree in
art history from St. Andrews University, where she met and began
secretly dating Prince William. Known for her glossy chestnut hair,
demure smile, levelheadedness, and perfectly polished fashion
sense, Kate is extremely photogenic and entirely scandal-free,
which made her ideal HRH material. Always immaculately turned out,
Kate looks like she was born to be a Windsor. Her staples include
tailored suits, jeans with boots and tweed jackets, wrap dresses,
and Philip Treacy hats. (She is also leading the way when it comes
to teaching England the value of a good, Americanstyle
blow-dry!)
Among Kate’s many hobbies are photography, field
hockey, tennis, and country pursuits like polo and horse racing.
Before starting her official royal duties, Kate helped her parents
with their highly successful business, Party Pieces, and once
worked as an accessories buyer for UK fashion chain Jigsaw.
At first, Kate and William were just friends, and
then housemates, but in 2003, their romance officially blossomed.
The world was overjoyed when Kate’s engagement to Prince William
was announced in November 2010, making her the first non-blueblood
since the 1600s to marry a future British monarch. We love Kate
because she is poised, confident, and extremely family-oriented.
Not only will she become the first Queen of England with a
university degree, but she has shown the world that if you conduct
yourself with the grace and dignity of a princess, your background
is irrelevant.
KATE’S CHARITIES:
◆ The Starlight Children’s Foundation
Helps brighten the lives of seriously and terminally ill children
by granting their wishes and providing hospital entertainment. A
favorite cause of the Middleton family, Kate and William co-hosted
a table at a recent black-tie benefit. http://www.starlight.org.uk/
◆ Oxford’s Children’s Hospital Kate
recently attended an eightiesthemed rollerskating disco in aid of
the charity, which was set up in memory of her school friend Thomas
Waley-Cohen, who tragically died of bone cancer at age twenty.
http://www.oxfordradcliffe.nhs.uk/forpatients/departments/children/home.aspx
◆ Place2be Kate helped focus the limelight
on this school-based counseling service dedicated to the emotional
well-being of children, their families, and the whole school
community. http://www.theplace2be.org.uk/
◆ Babes in Arms Kate trained for a rowing
challenge across the English Channel in aid of this charity that
sponsors research into cot death and other abnormalities that
affect newborn babies. http://www.babes-in-arms.org/
◆ CHASE Hospice for Children Kate supports
this charity in memory of England and Surrey cricketer Ben
Hollioake, who was killed in a tragic car crash at age twenty-four.
http://www.chasecare.org.uk/page.asp?section=61§ionTitle=CHASE+Ben+Hollioake+Fund
◆ Raleigh International A UK-based
educational development charity that aims to help people of all
backgrounds and nationalities to discover their full potential.
Both Kate and Prince William are Raleigh alumni—Prince William went
to Chile with Raleigh International in 2000, and Kate attended only
a few months later in 2001. http://www.raleighinternational.org/
THE ROYAL WEDDING : The marriage of HRH
Prince William of Wales to Miss Catherine Middleton took place at
Westminster Abbey on Friday April 29, 2011, with an estimated
television audience of two billion viewers—nearly a third of the
planet!
After much speculation, Kate wore an ivory satin
gown with full-length sleeves and intricate lace appliqué, heavily
inspired by Princess Grace of Monaco, designed by Alexander
McQueen, and customized by Sarah Burton. Her something borrowed was
the Cartier Halo tiara, on loan from the queen. The aisle of the
abbey was lined with real trees, and the pews were filled with
nineteen hundred eminent guests from all over the world. After the
ceremony, Kate and William (the new Duke and Duchess of Cambridge)
stood upon the iconic balcony of Buckingham Palace and kissed in
front of London’s cheering crowds, before jumping into a vintage
Aston Martin to wave to their wellwishers. Later that evening,
Prince Charles hosted a black-tie wedding reception for three
hundred of their closest friends and family, where the happy couple
danced to “Your Song” by Elton John.
The newlyweds have requested that anyone wishing to
send them a wedding gift consider donating to their charitable
fund, which aids causes reflecting their personal passions and
values. http://www.royalweddingcharityfund.org/
HSH CHARLENE, PRINCESS OF MONACO
THE GROOM: Albert II, Sovereign Prince of
Monaco, was born March 14, 1958. He is the head of the House of
Grimaldi and the current ruler of the Principality of Monaco. He is
the son of Rainier III, Prince of Monaco, and the American actress
Grace Kelly.
Until recently, Albert had quite a playboy
reputation. (His previous girlfriends included Claudia Schiffer,
Naomi Campbell, and Brooke Shields.) The prince’s fiftieth birthday
came and went and he had yet to announce an engagement. Still,
Monaco’s royal succession did not depend on Albert choosing a
princess. In fact, the constitution was changed to ensure that the
Grimaldi throne would pass to Princess Caroline’s children (Andrea,
Charlotte, and Pierre) in the event that Albert remained a
bachelor. Many even thought that young Andrea would beat his uncle
Albert to the altar!
But royal watchers across the world rejoiced when
Albert’s betrothal to Charlene was finally announced in June 2010,
bringing some much-needed stability to Monaco’s royal family. The
couple married in July 2011, bringing us a shiny new Princess of
Monaco.
THE BRIDE: Charlene Wittstock was born
January 25, 1978, in Rhodesia. This South African swimming champion
and former model was first spotted with Prince Albert II of Monaco
(twenty years her senior) at the opening ceremony of the 2006 Turin
Winter Olympics. Charlene declares that the moment she met him she
felt a profound sense of destiny.
Like Albert, Charlene is a serious sports
aficionado—she loves to surf and hike, but most of all, she loves
to swim. The statuesque blonde holds several national swimming
awards in South Africa and swam in the Olympic relay team at the
2000 Sydney Games. Meanwhile, Prince Albert was part of Monaco’s
Olympic bobsled team for five consecutive years.
Prince Albert once declared, “The woman of my life
will have to resemble my mother.” When one’s mother happens to be
Hollywood goddess Grace Kelly, this is a formidable requirement!
But tall, willowy Charlene (who wears her icy blond hair in the
same chignon made famous by Princess Grace) certainly holds more
than a passing resemblance. In glamorous evening dresses that show
off her swimmer’s physique, Charlene looks every inch a royal
consort. It’s no wonder Giorgio Armani chose her to be one of his
style ambassadors.
THE ROYAL WEDDING: The last time Monaco
celebrated the wedding of its ruling prince was in 1956, when
Prince Albert’s father married Grace Kelly—quite an act to follow!
But Monaco, with its usual splendor, did not let us down. On the
eve of the wedding, a celebratory concert by the Eagles was offered
to all Monegasque citizens. On July 1, 2011, the couple’s civil
ceremony was held in the opulent Throne Room of the Grimaldi
Palace. Their religious ceremony was held the following day in the
palace’s main courtyard. Charlene looked radiant in a white Armani
dress and a diamond hair ornament on loan from Princess Caroline.
Afterward, in line with an ancient tradition, Charlene lay down her
bridal bouquet in the Church of St. Dévote to honor the patron
saint of Monaco. The official dinner was prepared by threestar
French chef Alain Ducasse and followed by a magnificent fireworks
display for the whole country to enjoy.
QUOTE: “I’m in a unique position where I
can make a big difference. My hope is to harness the tremendous
resources Monaco possesses to address a multitude of global
problems.”11
CHARLENE’S CHARITIES:
◆ Nelson Mandela Day Close to the man
himself, Charlene was deeply involved in the annual event dedicated
to Mandela’s life’s work and charitable organizations. http://en.mandeladay.com/Home.aspx
◆ The World Wildlife Fund Strives to
protect endangered wildlife, tackle climate change, and promote
sustainable use of resources. Charlene once wore a fabulous evening
gown with a large WWF panda logo emblazoned on its skirts. http://www.wwf.org/
◆ The Princess Grace Foundation Created by
Prince Albert’s mother, this charity supports pediatric medicine
and humanitarian aid for handicapped children. Charlene also
champions the Special Olympics of Monaco. http://www.fondation-psse-grace.mc/frameseteng.html/
◆ The Monaco Red Cross Aims to protect the
lives and dignity of victims of war and internal violence and to
provide them with assistance. Prince Albert is president. http://www.icrc.org/
◆ The Born Free Foundation An
international wildlife charity working to prevent cruelty and
alleviate suffering. http://www.bornfree.org.uk/
◆ The Prince Albert II of Monaco
Foundation Created by Albert in 2006, the foundation seeks to
protect the environment and encourage sustainable development.
http://www.fpa2.mc/default.asp?lang=en
◆ Fight Aids Monaco Founded by Albert’s
sister, HSH Princess Stephanie, this charity promotes awareness of
the danger still posed by HIV/AIDS. http://www.fightaidsmonaco.com/accueil-eng.html/
CROWN PRINCESS VICTORIA OF SWEDEN
THE BRIDE: Born July 14, 1977, Victoria is
the eldest of King Carl XVI Gustaf and Queen Silvia’s three
children. Because Sweden is the first monarchy to allow the eldest
child to inherit the throne regardless of gender, Victoria is
destined to become Sweden’s future queen. As things stand, she is
the only female heir-apparent in the world. Victoria speaks four
languages and is known for her fervent interest in diplomacy and
international relations.
THE GROOM: Daniel Westling (now known as
Prince Daniel, Duke of Västergötland) was born in Sweden on
September 15, 1973. Before his marriage to Princess Victoria,
Daniel worked as her personal trainer. Daniel’s working
relationship with the sweet-natured princess quickly blossomed into
an eight-year romance. Daniel eventually opened a fitness company
called Balance Training, with three gyms in central Stockholm. But
upon receiving the title of prince, he stepped down as CEO of the
company.
THE ROYAL WEDDING : Their wedding was held
at Stockholm Cathedral on June 19, 2010—the thirty-fourth wedding
anniversary of the King and Queen of Sweden. Victoria wore an
ivory-colored gown of duchess satin, with a five-meter train,
designed by Swedish dressmaker Par Engshed. Her antique lace veil
was held in place by the same cameo tiara that was worn by
Victoria’s mother, Queen Silvia, at her marriage in 1975. The
wedding was attended by twelve hundred guests from around the
world, including six kings and nine queens. After the ceremony, the
happy couple boarded the royal barge to the reception at
Drottningholm Palace. Following a wedding feast of lobster, caviar,
and champagne, Princess Victoria and her new prince took to the
dance floor, where they executed a perfect waltz. So
romantic!
PRINCESS TATIANA OF GREECE AND DENMARK
THE GROOM: Prince Nikolaos of Greece and
Denmark (born October 1,1969) is the second son of King Constantine
of Greece and the elder brother of the aforementioned eligible
royals Prince Philippos and Princess Theodora. The nephew of two
Queens—Queen Margrethe II of Denmark is his mother’s sister; Queen
Sofia of Spain is his father’s sister—Nikolaos has dozens of royal
cousins throughout Europe. Prince Nikolaos graduated from Brown
University with an BA in International Relations and works for his
father’s London office.
THE BRIDE: Venezuelan born Tatiana Blatnik
is the granddaughter of Countess Ellinka von Ensiedel of Dresden.
The Grace Kelly look-alike attended school in Switzerland and later
studied Sociology at Georgetown University in the U.S. before
working as a PR and events manager for fashion designer Diane von
Furstenberg. She had been quietly dating Prince Nikolaos for six
years before their engagement was officially announced.
THE ROYAL WEDDING: On August 25, 2010,
Tatiana and Nikolaos wed in a lavish sunset wedding on the
beautiful Greek island of Spetses. Throngs of royals from across
Europe gathered for the ceremony at the Church of Saint Nicholas.
As a ravishing blonde with regal heritage, Tatiana looked every bit
like a fairy tale princess on her wedding day. She arrived in a
traditional horse-drawn carriage wearing a full-length strapless
ivory gown with lace overlay by Venezuelan designer Angel Sanchez.
It was worn with a full-length veil, matching lace bolero jacket,
and a dazzling diamond tiara borrowed from her new mother-in-law,
Queen Anne Marie. (The tiara was also worn at the wedding of
Tatiana’s sister-in-law, Princess Marie-Chantal.) Tatiana is now
known as HRH Princess Nikolaos of Greece and Denmark. The newlyweds
reside in London.
FAVORITE CHARITY:
◆ The Anna-Maria Foundation Provides aid
to people who have suffered due to natural disasters. Nikolaos is a
board member. http://www.greekroyalfamily.gr/index.cfm?get=foundation
LADY FREDERICK WINDSOR
THE GROOM: Born April 6, 1979, Lord
Frederick Windsor is the son of Prince and Princess Michael of Kent
and is thirty-seventh in line to the British throne. His father is
a first cousin of HM Queen Elizabeth II; his sister is the
aforementioned Lady Gabriella Windsor. Educated at Eton College,
“Freddie” later graduated from Oxford University with a degree in
Classics. He now works for investment bank J.P. Morgan and recently
transferred to their California offices so he could be with his
wife as she pursues her acting career. The romantic aristocrat
proposed to his bride-to-be on Valentine’s Day.
THE BRIDE: Sophie Lara Winkleman was born
in London on August 5, 1980. Her father is a prominent publisher
and her mother is a copywriter and author. Her half sister is TV
anchor Claudia Winkleman. Sophie studied English Literature at
Cambridge University, where she joined the famed dramatic society
Cambridge Footlights, which launched her successful acting
career. After several roles for UK television, Sophie filmed
an American comedy series entitled 100 Questions for Charlotte
Payne and is now working on a new historical series about the
Titanic where she will play the American silent-movie star
Dorothy Gibson.
THE ROYAL WEDDING: Sophie and Freddie
married on September 12, 2009, in a society wedding at Hampton
Court Palace, which was attended by several young royals, including
Princess Eugenie of York. The beautiful bride arrived in a silver
Rolls-Royce, wearing a white silk beaded gown, with a three-meter
train, designed by Anna Bystrova from Roza Couture. The service was
held in the sumptuous Chapel Royal and was followed by a reception
of champagne, canapés, and cake in the magnificent Great Hall.
Celebrations continued with a dinner and dance at the London home
of the groom’s godmother, Lady Annabel Goldsmith. The newlyweds
currently reside in Los Angeles, California.
AUTUMN PHILLIPS
THE GROOM: Born November 15, 1977, Peter
Phillips is the son of the Princess Royal and Captain Mark Phillips
and the oldest grandchild of HM Queen Elizabeth II. His godfather
is the Prince of Wales and his younger sister is the aforementioned
Zara Phillips. Peter is eleventh in line to succeed to the British
throne. He graduated from the University of Exeter with a degree in
sports science.
THE BRIDE: Autumn Patricia Kelly was born
May 3, 1978, in Quebec. The pretty Canadian graduated from McGill
University with a degree in East Asian studies. She met her
handsome husband-to-be during the 2003 Montreal Grand Prix, where
she was working in the BMW hospitality tent. Their engagement was
announced in July 2007.
THE ROYAL WEDDING: The marriage took place
in Windsor Castle’s St. George’s Chapel on May 17, 2008. The entire
wedding was covered extensively in a special edition of
Hello! magazine. Autumn wore an ivory duchess satin wedding
gown by Sassi Holford with a cathedral train, a lace bolero, and a
diamond tiara on loan from her mother-in-law, Princess Anne.
Attended by most senior members of the British royal family, the
lavish reception was held at Frogmore House. The couple resides in
Hong Kong, and on December 29, 2010, Autumn gave birth to the
queen’s first great-grandchild—a baby girl named Savannah.
