Keystone/Getty; Historic Royal Palaces
Historic Royal Palaces has acquired one of the eight bridesmaids dresses worn atQueen Elizabeth’s wedding toPrince Philip77 years ago.
One of Queen Elizabeth’s bridesmaids dresses.Historic Royal Palaces
Historic Royal Palaces
Headpiece from one of Queen Elizabeth’s bridesmaids.Historic Royal Palaces
The bridesmaids dress was acquired at a Christie’s auction this past July and will become part of the Royal Ceremonial Dress Collection, a collection of British royal, ceremonial and court dress that is already comprised of over 10,000 items from the 16th century to the present day. The new bridesmaids dress will join other items linked to Elizabeth and Philip’s 1947 wedding, including Hartnell’s original sketches, “meaning the original design sketch of the bridesmaids dress will now be reunited with the exceptional finished garment for the first time since the wedding,” according to Historic Royal Palaces.
Detailing from one of Queen Elizabeth’s bridesmaids dresses.Historic Royal Palaces
Lady Elizabeth Longman, who the bridesmaids dress originally belonged to, died in 2016, and Queen Elizabeth sent a private note of condolence to her family at the time,PEOPLE previously reported.
Princess Elizabeth, Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh with King George VI and Queen Elizabeth (right) and members of the immediate and extended Royal Family at Buckingham Palace after their wedding on Nov. 20, 1947.Topical Press Agency/Getty
Topical Press Agency/Getty
In addition to Queen Elizabeth’s wedding dress, Hartnell also designed her coronation dress, worn in 1953 and made of duchesse satin richly embroidered in a lattice-work effect. It was further decorated with floral emblems signifying the nations of the U.K. and the Commonwealth created in gold and silver thread and pastel silks and encrusted with seed pearls, sequins and crystals.
Princess Elizabeth and Prince Philip make their way down the aisle of Westminster Abbey, London, on their wedding day.Bert Hardy/Picture Post/Getty
Bert Hardy/Picture Post/Getty
“Beatrice talks about her grandmother often, and it’s clear there’s a strong bond there — the dress and the tiara could not have been more perfect,” a friend told PEOPLE at the time.
Lady Elizabeth Longman’s bridesmaids dress from the wedding of Princess Elizabeth and Prince Philip.Wiktor Szymanowicz/Future Publishing via Getty
Wiktor Szymanowicz/Future Publishing via Getty
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“Tulle could easily be acquired, whereas duchesse satin was so difficult to get in those days,” she added. “The princess had that marvelous complexion — that skin was so wonderful. She really was radiant, with her diamond tiara on top. And she was very much in love.”
source: people.com
