Monday, 1 August 2011

Nude Heels at Zara Phillips's Wedding

Zara Phillips was looking utterly resplendent as she walked down the aisle to Mike Tindall wearing a classic gown designed by the Queen's own couturier, Stewart Parvin. The full-skirted beauty was adorned with a row of covered buttons and topped off with a cathedral-length (ie: to the floor) veil, plus her mother's Greek key tiara.


The wedding was attended by countless royals, athletes and famed Brits; but notably,Duchess Kate, Princess Beatrice, Princess Eugenie, Princess Anne, Duchess Camilla and Sophie, Countess of Wessex all donned very similar, simple beige pumps! 

But it wasn’t just the bride’s frock in fact, there was more coiffed hair under fancy hats than a day at the races and given the choice of footwear, we’re assuming a strict ‘Nude Heels Only’ memo. 


The Duchess of Cambridge, Kate Middleton chose a brocade coat by Jane Troughtonin an understated, Mother-Middy-would-approve creamy tone to avoid upstaging the bride. The hat is sitting at a precariously jaunty angle, makes a more adventurous statement than we’re used to.


As for the maven of bonkers wedding wear, Angela kelly Beatrice princess Zara continued her sartorial epiphany with a fabulous fitted jacket with flared peplum detail by Angela Kelly over a matching dress covered in corsages and Swarorski crystals. And proving just how far she’s come post hat-gate, Bea wisely opted for a subtle satellite dish-inspired hat.

Bea’s sister Eugenie also fared better than she did on 29th April. Her very safe chocolate-brown dress with an oyster-coloured fitted jacket guarantees she won't fall into Ugly Sisters territory again.

Camilla’s hat is so lovable. Granted, it is a tad sprouty and pot-plant-esque, but the delicate feather-like detailing makes it an original and youthful creation. As for the tailored silk jacket, no prizes for guessing this one’s by Anna Valentine, the same designer who made the Duchess of Cornwall’s elegant outfit for Wills and Kate’s Big Day, as well as her own.


A refreshingly summery sight came courtesy of Coronation Street actress Katherine Kelly who swooshed into Canongate Kirk sporting cascading ruffles on a flowing neutral gown, polished off with a bold colour-popping, wide-brimmed hat and matching orange clutch.


What on EARTH was Una Healy thinking? This saucy minx went a skin-flashing step further with a skimpy strapless frock covered in vibrant florals and black lace. 



Last but never least, we give you the Queen. Just as she did for April's Royal Wedding, for which she wore colour-blocking yellow by Stewart Parvin, HRH sported a summery head-to-toe hue from the designer, this time in a delightful shade of apricot. Meanwhile, the complementary hat with feather detailing is by Rachel Trevor-Morgan.


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Second Royal Wedding in a year: Zara Phillips and Mike Tindall


For the second time in a year the royal family dusted off their gladrags to watch one of their own marry a commoner, albeit this time of sporting heroic stock. But all eyes were on the Queen's granddaughter Zara Phillips when she arrived at Canongate Kirk on Edinburgh's Royal Mile for her marriage to the England rugby player Mike Tindall.                                 
Thousands lined the narrow city street hoping to catch a glimpse of Phillips, once considered a royal rebel due to her low-cut tops, daring miniskirts and tongue piercing. But as she stepped from the car outside the church she revealed an ivory silk faille and silk duchess satin gown by British and Edinburgh-trained designer Stewart Parvin.
As the moment of the wedding drew near, royals began arriving from the nearby Palace of Holyroodhouse. As they stepped from their chauffeur-driven limousines they were welcomed by the Queen's pipe major, Derek Potter, who played a simple tune on the bagpipes.
Among the first to arrive were Prince Edward and Sophie, Countess of Wessex, followed by Prince Andrew and his daughters, Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie.
They were all cheered by the waiting crowds as they emerged from their cars, but the loudest roar was reserved for Prince William and Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, as well as Prince Harry. As William and the former Kate Middleton walked into the church they acknowledged the crowd with a brief wave.
The last of the senior royals to arrive were Prince Charles and Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, who again were cheered loudly by the thousands camped behind crash barriers.
The couple were soon followed by the Queen and Prince Philip, who received an enormous roar from the well-wishers, which was acknowledged by both of them with a short wave before they were greeted, like all members of the royal family attending the service, by the Rev Neil Gardner, presiding over the service.
The mother of the bride, Princess Anne, and her husband Vice Admiral Sir Timothy Laurence arrived just before this group to take their places in the church. All the royal men were dressed in morning suits, while the women wore stylish gowns.
Some of the most famous names from English rugby were also in attendance, reflecting Mike Tindall's standing in the game as a former captain. Current national coach Martin Johnson stepped off one of the many buses taking guests to the ceremony. Johnson strolled into the grounds of the church, pausing to shake the hands of friends and colleagues he spotted just outside the building's entrance.


Phillips and Tindall hosted a glitzy cocktail party late on Friday for relatives and guests aboard the former royal yacht Britannia, which they had hired for the occasion. But the party was a rare moment of public glamor for the usually down to earth Phillips, who will celebrate with a private wedding reception at the Palace of Holyroodhouse, the queen's official home in Scotland.



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