Royal bride: British retrospective

Kate Middleton has a vast archive of bridal elegance to consider when choosing a look for her own special day. Here are some of her inspiration sources.

Queen Elizabeth married Prince Phillip of Greece and Denmark on November 20, 1947 in a gown was made using rationing coupons to pay for the material since the country had not yet rebounded from WWII.

British designer Maureen Baker made the white silk princess-style gown with a dramatic high collar, pearl-edged Elizabethan trumpet sleeves and simple, pin-tucked bodice worn by Princess Anne. The gown was adorned with flowers outlined with pearls and silver thread, and was finished off with a long, pure-silk train.

Princess Diana wore a David and Elizabeth Emanuel dress when she married Prince Charles in July 1981. The twenty-five foot long train is the longest one in royal wedding history.

Camilla wore an oyster-coloured gown with a full length embroidered jacket by Robinson Valentine and completed the look with a stunning Philip Treacy headpiece.