THE VOW FACTOR
Princess Eugenie stuns in bespoke Peter Pilotto and Christopher De Vos wedding dress that shows childhood surgery scars and the Queen’s tiara
IT'S been the most anticipated wedding dress unveiling since Meghan Markle walked down the aisle back in May.
Princess Eugenie stunned royal fans today as she arrived at St George's Chapel in Windsor Castle, the same venue where her cousin Prince Harry wed five months ago, in a stunning low-backed bespoke gown by Peter Pilotto and Christopher De Vos.
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The Queen's 28-year-old grandaughter was marrying her boyfriend of eight years Jack Brooksbank, 32, who popped the question against the dramatic backdrop of a sunset volcano in Nicaragua back in January.
Eugenie, who works as an associate director at a London art gallery, wore her childhood surgery scars with pride, in a gown which exposed signs of a spinal op she had at the age of 12.
The princess had major surgery to correct a curvature of her spine, known as scoliosis, and had steel rods inserted into her back.
Eugenie's dramatic gown was developed layer by layer, constructed from a corset, complex underskirt, fitted bodice and full pleated skirt - with flowing full length train.
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Princess Eugenie and Jack Brooksbank exchange vows at their wedding in St George's Chapel
The fabric for the gown was designed by Pilotto and De Vos, who met Eugenie when she was co-hosting an event for female artists, at their East London studio - and includes a number of motifs personal to the princess.
These include a Thistle for Scotland, showing the couple's fondness for Balmoral, a Shamrock for Ireland, where Eugenie's mother Sarah Ferguson's family are from, and the York Rose, because of her father's title.
The artwork was weaved in the Como region of Italy.
David Emanuel - who famously designed Princess Diana's dress - said the elegant embroidery stuck to the Royal tradition of each bride telling their own story.
"Meghan had the veil with all the Commonwealth flowers and Eugenie's mum Sarah had 'S&A' embroidered into her gown for 'Sarah and Andrew', just like them the detail on this dress tells Eugenie and Jack's story.
"The silhouette, boned corset and luxurious fabric of the Pilotto gown was just breathtaking. Simple, elegant but effortlessly classy - just like the Princess," he exclusively told Fabulous.
"What was interesting is Eugenie chose not to have a veil, which is very modern. But that said, she still stuck to the royal traditions followed by Fergie, Princess Diana, Kate and Meghan all to have a large train."
Why did Princess Eugenie not wear a veil?
Brides historically have worn veils as a symbolic reference to their virginity and modesty, although these days lots of brides wear them just for tradition.
But Eugenie may have shunned the tradition for a different reason.
The Princess, 28, had a surgery for her scoliosis when she was a child and it's left a scar on her back.
Ahead of the wedding, she revealed in an interview with ITV's This Morning that it was really important to her not to hide her scoliosis surgery scars.
She told host Eamonn Holmes: "I had an operation when I was 12 on my back, and you'll see on Friday, but it's a lovely way to honour the people who looked after me and a way of standing up for young people who also go through this.
"I think you can change the way beauty is, and you can show people your scars and I think it's really special to stand up for that."
She also would have wanted to show off the stunning Greville Emerald Kokoshnik Tiara, lent to her by Her Majesty The Queen and the diamond and emerald drop earrings which were given to her by Jack.
Eugenie's hair was styled by Sonny-Jo MacFarlane, of Hari's, with make-up by Hannah Martin, of Bobbi Brown, the same artist who did Kate Middleton's wedding beauty back in 2011.
Her something borrowed was the Greville Emerald Kokoshnik Tiara, which was lent from the Queen's personal collection.
It is made of brilliant and rose cut diamonds pavé set in platinum, with six emeralds on either side - and was given to Her Majesty by Mrs Greville in 1942.
While Eugenie's bridal shoes were satin peep-toe heels by Charlotte Olympia.
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Princess Eugenie and Jack Brooksbank kiss on the steps of St George's Chapel after Royal Wedding
Hinting that she would show off her scars before the big day, Eugenie told Eammon Holmes and Ruth Langsford: “I think you can change the way beauty is, and you can show people your scars and I think it’s really special to stand up for that.
“The Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital, the RNOH, is a huge charity — I’m patron of their appeal and I had an operation when I was 12 on my back, and you’ll see.
“But it’s a lovely way to honour the people who looked after me, and a way of standing up for young people who also go through this.”
She is now a patron of the Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital - with her surgeon Jan Lehovsky and other RNOH staff among the 800 guests at her wedding today.
The Sun's fashion editor's verdict on Eugenie's dress
It was a wedding dress fit for a Princess, as Eugenie stunned on her big day.
The 28-year-old chose a gown designed by Peter Pilotto and Christopher De Vos, for the Peter Pilotto label.
The big day itself was bound to draw comparisons to Meghan's - being at the same venue and all.
And Eugenie's gown wasn't worlds apart - both had traditional, full skirts, long sleeves and long trains.
Eugenie had a portrait neckline, and a low back that didn't try to hide the scars she received from surgery to correct her scoliosis aged 12 - in fact, she wanted to highlight this part of her body - and more power to her.
The silk design also had jacquard motifs that had personal meanings for the Princess - a Scottish thistle to symbolise her love for Balmoral, an Irish Shamrock as a nod to the Ferguson family, and a York rose to reflect her royal title.
However that was the only part of the dress that put me off - it aged the design, and reminded me a bit of wallpaper.
The Greville Emerald Kokoshnik tiara, made in 1919, was lent to her by the Queen - and I love the vintage design, its emeralds suited Eugenie's hair beautifully.
As the dress was voluminous - a veil would have been overkill.
And if Peter Pilotto wasn't quite a household name before, he certainly will be now.
by Gabriele Dirvanauskas
Eugenie, who's ninth in line to the throne, was tight-lipped about her wedding dress details right up to her dramatic entrance today.
However, appearing on the cover of British Vogue's September issue with sister Beatrice, 30, she revealed she would follow in the footsteps of Kate and Meghan by choosing a British designer.
She said: “It is a British based designer. As soon as we announced the wedding, I knew the designer, and the look, straight away.”
The princess arrived in a 1977 Rolls Royce Phanton VI, accompanied by her father the Duke of York - who confessed even he had been kept in the dark about the dress.
Andrew told Eamonn and Ruth he knew no details - apart from to prepare for his daughter's "wide train".
The Rolls Royce was given to the Queen in 1978, by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders, for her Silver Jubilee.
The Royal Wedding timetable
8.30am – Doors open to wedding guests, who arrive through the Middle Ward. Organ music plays in St George’s Chapel.
10.15am – The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra plays.
10.25am - Royal family members arrive at the Galilee Porch and are greeted by the Dean of Windsor.
10.30am – Sarah Ferguson and Princess Beatrice arrive by car at the West Door.
10.35am – Jack Brooksbank and best man Thomas Brooksbank arrive at the West Door.
10.50am – Prince Charles arrives at the Galilee Porch and is greeted by the Dean of Windsor. All stand in the Quire as he is escorted to his seat.
10.52am – The Queen arrives and is greeted by the Dean of Windsor. All stand in the Quire as she is escorted to her seat. Fanfare sounds.
10.57am – Bride Princess Eugenie and her dad Prince Andrew arrive at the West Steps of St George’s Chapel.
11am – The wedding ceremony begins.
12pm – The wedding service ends and the couple, bridal party and parents of the couple process out the West Door. Princess Eugenie and Jack Brooksbank leave from the West Steps by carriage.
12.15pm approx – The bride and groom arrive back at Windsor Castle for their afternoon champagne reception, hosted by The Queen.
Groom Jack previously worked as a manager at the celebrity hotspot Mahiki and is now European brand manager for Casamigos Tequila, which was co-founded by George Clooney and Cindy Crawford's husband Rande Gerber.
Ahead of the big day, Eugenie said: “I’m not stressed at all. It’s nerve-racking because you want it to be perfect, but then you realise that you’re going to be with the person you love forever and nothing else really matters.”
Speaking to Eamonn and Ruth yesterday, she added that it was "love at first sight" when she first met Jack while skiing in Verbier, Switzerland.
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This may be the second royal wedding of the year, but Eugenie was determined to put her own spin on it.
The springtime floral display which surrounded St George's Chapel at Meghan and Harry's nuptials was replaced by a gorgeous autumnal selection - which was perfect for an October wedding.
The flowering branches were sourced locally from Windsor Great Park, which is the site of the York family home, and were chosen to reflect the “rich and vibrant tones of autumn”, Buckingham Palace explained.
Liquid amber trees - which turn a vibrant yellow, orange and then red before shedding their leaves - were also included.
Floral designer Rob Van Helden was the man chosen to decorate the historic venue, describing it as "the greatest privilege and honour".
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We're sure Eugenie felt a bit of pressure when it came to choosing her wedding dress - after her cousins-in-law both wowed on their big days.
Kate Middleton wore a stunning Alexander McQueen gown, designed by Brit Sarah Burton, when she married Prince William in April 2011.
It's estimated to have cost £250,000 - making it one of the most expensive wedding dresses ever made. The dramatic gown had an ivory satin bodies with lace applique, long sleeves, and a bridal train measuring 8ft 8ins.
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MOST READ IN FABULOUS
While Meghan Markle stunned in a silk Givenchy gown, with staggering 15ft embroidered veil, created by British designer Clare Waight Keller.
With an open bateau neckline, her hair in a slick bun and a Queen Mary tiara on loan from the Queen, Meghan seamlessly blended her signature style with royal tradition.
You can read the latest on the biggest wedding of the autumn here, while this is the one thing Eugenie can't do on her wedding day.
Princess Eugenie reveals ‘it was love at first sight’ as she prepares to marry husband-to-be Jack Brooksbank
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