The Pips, as I've taken to calling her, wore Sarah Burton for Alexander McQueen just like her sister, and it included much of the same button and lace detailing. The slim-fitting cowl neck dress in ivory satin-based crepe placed the showcase firmly on Pippa's wee figure, and revealed just a hint of the royal in-law cleavage.
All the better for accompanying the dashing Best Man, Prince Harry, I suppose. As expected, Harry wore his Army uniform. He is, of course, an active duty officer, recently promoted to Captain. (Specifically: it is a Blues and Royals officer’s uniform in Dismounted Review Order, with a Forage Cap.)
The uniform features aiguillettes (ornamental braided cords), a gold waist belt and a cross-belt. Like Prince William, he wore sword slings without a sword. He also sported Army Air Corps wings (since he's a helicopter pilot) and medals from the Golden Jubilee and from his time in Afghanistan.
And if he wasn't handsome enough with the uniform alone, they put him in the carriage with half of the wee members of the bridal party on the way home.
All together now: awwww.
The pageboys (Tom Pettifer, age 8, and Billy Lowther-Pinkerton, age 10) were dressed in the style of mini Foot Guards from the Regency period, featuring the insignia of the Irish Guards.
The bridesmaids (Lady Louise Mountbatten-Windsor, 7, the Hon. Margarita Armstrong-Jones, 8, Grace van Cutsem, 3, and Eliza Lopes, 3) came from Nikki Macfarlane, a childrenswear designer who hand-made the dresses in her home with her daughter, Charlotte. Using the same fabrics and details as the bride's gown, the ivory and white dresses with full ballerina skirts are finished with pale gold silk sashes tied in a bow at the back. Capes were included, just in case the weather required it.
The first thing I thought when I saw these dresses? Now, here's the Diana influence, right down to the yellow sash.
Actually, no. That's not the first thing I thought. The first thing was: SO CUTE.
Little Eliza Lopes, granddaughter of Camilla, probably won't remember this day, but I'm sure she had the time of her life.
Even a boost for a balcony view from Grandpa Charles!
What did you think of the bridal party? And was I the only one surprised we didn't see more of a Scottish theme? I was betting on kilts, heather colors of the highlands, or tartan somewhere in the mix.
