It is obvious why Valentino is often chosen to design the dresses worn by high-profile brides on their big day. And for Maxima Zorreguieta, her wedding to Crown Prince Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands, was surely the most important day of her life, meriting a creation fit for a future queen from the Italian couturier.
Maxima and her mother-in-law, Queen Beatrix, travelled to the designer’s studio in Rome to discuss their requirements for a gown that would take people’s breath away the world over. And Valentino lived up to his reputation, creating an long-sleeved cowl necked confection, made of ivory Mikado silk, which flared out slightly from the waist, emphasising the princess’s neat figure.
The five metre train, made from the same fabric, was inset with panels of embroidered lace, echoing the silk tulle veil featuring hand-embroidered flower and tendril motifs. A exquisitely pretty diamond tiara, a worthy crown for Maxima’s beauty.br>
She was carrying a bouquet of white roses, gardenias, lily of the valley and two kinds of foliage, created by Jane Nienhuys and Elisabeth Thierry de Bye-Dolleman, florists to Soestdijk Palace.
Willem-Alexander had donned the full dress uniform of a captain in the Royal Netherlands Navy. It was decorated with the ribbon and star of a Knight Grand Cross of the Order of the Lion of the Netherlands, the star of a Knight of the House Order of the Golden Lion of Nassau, the Officer’s Cross and the 1980 Accession Medal.
The handmade, half-round platinum wedding bands, 2.5mm thick, were made by an Argentine jeweller, who charged the couple the symbolic amount of just one peso. Maxima will be wearing hers with pride alongside the impressive platinum-set engagement ring designed by her then fiancé. The centre stone of an oval orange diamond is flanked by two emerald-cut diamonds set in bands encrusted with brilliant-cut diamonds.
Maxima and Willem-Alexander were accompanied by four bridesmaids and six tiny attendants wearing deep red velvet outfits. The bridesmaids, who included Maxima’s younger sister Ines, carried garlands of dark red flowers as they followed the royal bride up the long aisle of the Nieuwe Kirk.
Photo: © Alphapress.com
Photo: © Alphapress.com
Photo: © Alphapress.com
