At any wedding – royal or not – as well as what the bride is wearing, all eyes are on what the mother of the bride has chosen for her daughter’s special day.
Have they gone textbook mother of the bride in pale pink satin? Or perhaps they’ve opted for a more subtle-yet-stylish number? Maybe they’ve tried to upstage the bride in white? God forbid they clash with the mother of the groom – or (even worse) the bridesmaids.
Choosing a mother of the bride outfit is a minefield.
As the speculation mounts over what – and who – Meghan Markle has decided to wear for her wedding to Prince Harry in May, what outfit her mother Doria Ragland is going to be wearing is sure to be another of the key focuses of the day.
To offer some inspiration – and a hefty dose of nostalgia – here, we take a look back at what the royal mother of the brides have worn in history…
ZARA PHILLIPS’ WEDDING TO MIKE TINDALL
On 30 July 2011, Zara Phillips married Mike Tindall.
MOTHER OF THE BRIDE: Anne, Princess Royal
When daughter Zara Phillips married Mike Tindall, Anne, Princess Royal wore a pretty red pleated dress with a cream and red floral jacket. She finished her look with a head-piece, cream gloves and a cream bag.
What about the Queen?
The Queen looked absolutely stunning in a peach-coloured dress and jacket with a pretty matching hat.
What about Peter Phillips' wedding?
Princess Anne was mother of the groom on 17 May 2008 when her sonPeter Phillips married Canadian Autumn Kelly.
She wore a burgundy dress with a cream jacket for the occasion.
What about the Queen?
KATE MIDDLETON’S WEDDING TO PRINCE WILLIAM
On Friday 29 April, Kate Middleton – now the duch*ess Of Cambridge – married Prince William.
MOTHER OF THE BRIDE – Carol Middleton
Carol stunned in a powder blue dress and jacket ensemble, with a stylish matching hat. Her shoes and bag were blue/silver, providing a subtle contrast to her outfit.
What about the Queen?
The Queen opted for a spring-themed yellow outfit.
What about Pippa Middleton's big day?
As it was a ‘kind-of’ royal wedding, here’s what Carol wore to Pippa Middleton’s wedding on 20 May 2017.
LAURA PARKER BOWLES’ WEDDING TO HARRY LOPES
On 6 May 2006, Camilla’s daughter Laura Parker Bowles married Harry Lopes,
Harry used to be a Calvin Klein underwear model and now works as a chartered accountant.
MOTHER OF THE BRIDE – Camilla, duch*ess Of Cornwall
Camilla looked radiant in a pale green dress and jacket outfit with featured pleats.
What about Tom Parker Bowles' big day?
This next outfit isn’t strictly a mother of the bride outfit but it is what Camilla wore as mother of the groom when her son Tom Parker Bowles married Sara Buys in 2005.
Tom and Sara split in January 2018.
LADY SARAH ARMSTRONG-JONES’ WEDDING TO DANIEL CHATTO
On 14 July 1994, Lady Sarah Armstrong-Jones married Daniel Chatto.
MOTHER OF THE BRIDE – Princess Margaret
Princess Margaret chose a pale blue outfit for her daughter’s wedding – again showing the royals love to match their dresses to long jackets for weddings.
David Armstrong-Jones' wedding
Princess Margaret and Lord Snowdon’s son David Armstrong-Jones, 2nd Earl of Snowdon, married Serena, Vicountess Linley in 1993.
SARAH FERGUSON’S WEDDING TO PRINCE ANDREW
On Wednesday 23 July 1986, Sarah Ferguson married Prince Andrew. The pair divorced in 1996.
MOTHER OF THE BRIDE – Susan Barrantes
Susan Barrantes (1937-1998) wore yellow for her daughter, Sarah Ferguson’s, wedding to Prince Andrew. Another example of the jacket-and-dress combination.
What about the Queen?
As mother of the groom, the Queen wore a lilac number with a matching hat for her son’s wedding.
DIANA SPENCER’S WEDDING TO PRINCE CHARLES
On Wednesday 29 July 1981, Diana and Charles married.
MOTHER OF THE BRIDE –Frances Shand Kydd
Similar to the colour worn by the Queen five years later for Prince Andrew’s wedding, Frances Shand Kydd(1936-2004), opted for a lilac-hued mother of the bride outfit.
It complimented her blue sapphire engagement ring perfectly, which is reportedly why Diana chose to have a blue sapphire engagement ring, so she could match her mum.
What about the Queen?
The Queen stood out in a turquoise number.
PRINCESS ANNE’S WEDDING TO MARK PHILLIPS
On 14 November 1973, Princess Anne married Zara and Phillip Peter Phillips’ father Mark Phillips. They divorced in 1992.
MOTHER OF THE BRIDE: Queen Elizabeth II
The Queen wore a royal blue jacket dress for her only daughter’s wedding – and she couldn’t have looked happier as she stood next to her mother, Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon, on the balcony at Buckingham Palace.
What about her sons' marriages?
And Princess Anne’s second marriage…
On 12 December 1992 – the same year she divorce Mark Phillips – Princess Royal married Timothy Laurence.
PRINCESS MARGARET’S WEDDING TO ANTONY ARMSTRONG-JONES, 1st EARL OF SNOWDON
On 6 May 1960, Princess Margaret (1930-2002) married Antony Armstrong-Jones (1930-2017), 1st Earl Of Snowdon. They divorced in 1978, the same year he married Lucy Hogg. Princess Margaret never remarried.
MOTHER OF THE BRIDE:Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon
The Queen Mother (1900-2002), wore an off-white gown with a matching jacket and a peach-coloured hat.
ELIZABETH II’S WEDDING TO PHILIP MOUNTBATTEN
On 20 November 1947, Queen Elizabeth II married Prince Philip.
MOTHER OF THE BRIDE: Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon, the Queen Mother
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