Bride’s outfits a ‘double triumph’

THE Duchess of Cornwall’s outfits for her wedding to the Prince of Wales were a “double triumph”, an expert said.

Camilla wore an oyster silk basket-weave coat and chiffon dress for the civil ceremony at Windsor Guildhall, then a porcelain blue silk dress for the blessing of her marriage at St George’s Chapel.

Sandra Boler, consultant editor and former editor of Brides magazine, said the first outfit was “stunning” while the second was “utterly beautiful.”

And of the second, she said: “The colour is not bright and garish. It is elegant, discreet and flattering.

Both outfits were designed by Robinson Valentine, a team established in 1986 by Antonia Robinson and Anna Valentine, who had met on a pattern-cutting course.

The outfit at the Guildhall was an oyster silk basket-weave coat with herringbone stitch embroidery and a chiffon dress with applique woven lacquered disc detail.

The duchess wore an elegant court shoe at the Guildhall in pale beige suede, with an almond toe and a 5cm heel, designed by Linda Bennett, founder of LK Bennett.

The duchess wore a natural straw hat for the first ceremony, overlaid with ivory French lace and trimmed with a “graphic fountain of feathers”, designed by Irishman Philip Treacy.

The Duchess’s handbag was an “East/West” clutch made from embossed calf leather, lined with suede and made with a half flap.

The bride’s hair was prepared by Hugh Green of Hugh and Stephen, based at Ebury Road, London. Make-up was by Julia B.

The duchess changed into a porcelain blue silk dress with hand painted ikat design, hand embroidered with gold thread work for the religious blessing.

The duchess later wore a court shoe with a soft point toe and a 5.5cm heel in pale grey shot silk.

She also wore a Swarovski-tipped gold leafed feather head-dress designed and made by Treacy.