ROYAL BRIDES

We're definitely ready for another Royal Wedding as April 29, Prince Willlam and Kate Middleton's date nears.  Did you also know the 52 year-old Prince Albert of Monaco is at last engaged to to marry Charlene Wittstock, a former Olympic swimmer for South Africa?  Add Queen Elizabeth's grand daughter, Zara Phillips to the list and 2011 is the year for some royal bride watching.

Past royal brides the world over have been known for their one-off designer creations, exquisite tiaras, jewelry and heirloom laces brought out for the wedding celebration.  Here are a few of my all time favs.

 From Hollywood to Princess in real time, Grace Kelly had to be the most magic royal of all time (at least in my book). Thus her gown designed by Helen Rose, from a technical and 'materials used' standpoint was one of the finest the world has ever seen.

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This is Mary of Denmark  in her wedding gown designed  by Danish designer Uffe Frank  The Australian-born beauty met Crown Prince Frederik of Denmark during the 2000 Summer Olympics in Sydney.  The gown is a princess style (no pun intended folks) with long panels and antique lace sewn in. The silk satin tones of the gown fabric blend beautifully with the vintage lace. This incredible lace also used in the veiling comes from Ireland.

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Here is Letizia, Princess of Asturias.  She wore a gown by Spanish designer, Manuel Pertegaz. Letizia's  gown was silk white with a silk veil.  She wore the same diamond and platinum tiara Queen Sofia wore at her wedding to King Juan Carlos back in 1962.

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Style setting Princess Mabel of Orange-Nassau aka Maxima wore this  unusual silk strewn with tiny bows designed by Addy van den Krommenacker. Check out the shorter veil--a definite first.  Royal brides usually don sweeps of tulle the length of a Southern Pacific

This has to be one of the most simplistically beautiful gowns designed.  Mette-Marit of Norway's gown was created by Norwegian Ove Harder Finseth.  Traditional and state of the art all at once, this masterpiece is made up of hand-dyed heavy silk crêpe and silk tulle; it has a flared skirt and  long train edged in tulle emulating waves in the sand.

In a word . . .  gorgeous.