The wedding dress of Princess Helena of Waldeck and Pyrmont refers to the wedding gown of Princess Helena of Waldeck and Pyrmont, Duchess of Albany.
Princess Helena married Prince Leopold, Duke of Albany on 27 April 1882 in St. George's Chapel, Windsor Castle. Prince Leopold was the youngest son of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert. Princess Helena was the daughter of George Victor, Prince of Waldeck and Pyrmont and his wife Princess Helena of Nassau.[1]
The dress was made in Paris[2] and was presented by her sister, Queen consort Emma of the Netherlands. The gown was made of white satin, decorated with traditional orange blossom and myrtle and trimmed with fleur-de-lis, with the edge again topped with point d'Alençon and white satin. The long tulle veil was made of the same fabric with a diamond head dress and a wreath of orange flowers and myrtle holding it in place.[1] The shoulders were bare and the short drop sleeves adorned with the Royal Family Order of the Royal Order of Victoria and Albert and the Companion of the Order of the Crown of India pinned to the left. The bosom was swathed in tulle and ruched laces with a small bouquet of flowers. The bodice ended in a sharply V–shape which accentuated her tall and slender figure. According to period photographs, on their wedding day many brides sought to achieve a similar effect.[3]
Helena received large diamond sprays from the King and Queen of the Netherlands, her sister. She wore it as tiara and brooch on her wedding day. She also received a diamond necklace and sun rays which she wore as brooches from her parents.[4]
Prince Leopold, her fiancé, gave Helena a necklace of diamonds, a large diamond star, a ruby bracelet, a ruby and diamond bracelet, sapphire and diamond earrings, Spanish lace, and a fan; of which can also be seen in her wedding photos.[4]
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