Floral headpieces, Bruce Oldfield and Alexander McQueen take starring role in Coronation

By

Sandra Halliday

Published
May 7, 2023

As a ceremonial event, it was a once-in-a-lifetime thing and while it was one of many marketing moments, it was certainly one that stood out above the crowd. The Coronation of King Charles happened on Saturday and there was as much discussion of what the main players and guests were wearing as there was of what was happening and why.

Queen Camilla wore a favourite designer of hers, Bruce Oldfield, in a grander adaptation of her usual style. The dress was semi-fitted but not too tight, with an underskirt, short train and plenty of embroidery in silver and gold of daisy chains, forget-me-nots, celandine and scarlet pimpernel.

Royal fashion star the Princess of Wales, meanwhile, wore a favourite label of her own, Alexander McQueen. However, the gown was largely obscured by her ceremonial robes. Buckingham Palace said it was ivory silk crepe and its embroidery featured rose, thistle, daffodil and shamrock motifs for the four UK nations.

Her daughter Princess Charlotte made an impact too in a white dress and cape, also by McQueen.

Both mother and daughter replaced the usual tiara with floral headpieces by Jess Collett for Alexander McQueen with three-dimensional leaf embroidery.

Meanwhile the King’s sister Princess Anne had a ceremonial role that she said “solves my dress problem” and was dressed instead in a military uniform.

Also a major player in the ceremony was former Tory leadership hopeful Penny Mordaunt whose place on the big day was due to her being Lord President of the Privy Council and Leader of the House of Commons.

Wearing a teal custom Safiyaa dress and cape, she set Twitter alight by managing to hold the ceremonial sword rigidly upright with barely a twitch for around two hours.

As for other politicians and celebrities, Katy Perry looked strong in shell pink Vivienne Westwood alongside British Vogue Editor-in-Chief Edward Enninful in a bespoke Huntsman morning suit.

Queen Rania of Jordan made a strong impression in a custom Tamara Ralph fitted lemon-toned dress that came ahead of the launch of Ralph’s brand later this year. And Queen Letizia of Spain wore Carolina Herrera.

Pale tones were a favourite generally with Crown Princess Marie-Chantal of Greece wearing soft blue Mary Katrantzou. 

Samantha Cameron, the wife of former Prime Minister David Cameron, wore her own label, Cefinn, also with a hat by Jess Collett. And her successor as PM’s wife — Akshata Murthy who’s married to Rishi Sunak — wore pale blue Claire Mischevani. 

Finally, a big shout out also has to go to Seamus. The Irish Wolfhound, who’s the new mascot of the Irish Guards, won more than a few hearts as part of the procession back to Buckingham Palace from Westminster Abbey in his traditional red cape. He was eagerly awaited having also made an appearance in a BBC documentary a few days ago about the ceremonial uniforms being made for the Coronation.