One of the most stylish royal couples, Viscount and Viscountess Linley, celebrate their 20th wedding anniversary today! When David Armstrong-Jones married the Hon. Serena Stanhope on October 8, 1993, Serena surprised everyone by paying homage to her mother-in-law’s style; she based her wedding dress on the famous wedding dress worn by Princess Margaret in May 1960.
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Today, this Bruce Robbins designed dress might seem a dated explosion of tulle and an awfully formal and stiff dress for a 23 year old bride. In 1993 however, I remember thinking it was amazing- simultaneously classic and modern (especially the folded bow at the back), and incredibly striking
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Serena topped the tulle and satin dress with the Papyrus Motive Tiara borrowed from Princess Margaret (a full history on this tiara can be read here). The delicate shape of this tiara was perfect for the delicately featured Serena and I still adore it on her (although the hair piece is a little much!)
As was popular at the time, the couple changed before departing the wedding reception, the bride donning an oversize silver straw stovepipe hat with double peaked crown and gently sidesweeping brim by Philip Treacy. It’s a hat very much of the time that aged considerably less well than Serena’s bridal gown.
Coverage of the hats that were worn by guests to this wedding can be seen in this post.
Royal Hats 
I hated the dress back in the day, but now I love it
Back then I was in love this dress but I thought there was too much volume around her waist. I also never liked her hair piled up and shaped like a pineapple but love, love, love the tiara! The perfect wedding tiara. This is the first time I’ve ever seen the back of her dress.
The bride’s dress reminds me of another Princess! (Cinderella)
I can’t believe it’s been 20 years already. Royal weddings seem to be much less formal now adays. I love the old tradition of the bride having a going away suit and hat. I haven’t seen one of those in years.
Princess Margret’s dress was my favourite royal wedding dress of all time. I like the idea of this one but it’s a little too much. I really like how it all pleats in together at the waist. That is very elegant.
Well that I just how a royale bride should look. She looks like a princess and so regal! It is also so nice to see a young girl pay respects to her elders by designing a dress like what they wore instead of the fashion of the day. Princess Margret must have been so happy to be getting such a daughter in law. The only part I don’t like is the back of the dress. Those swags to the back make her look real hippy and I know she isn’t.
I love this dress unreservedly. It’s so dramatic and original – even though it is a tribute to another famous dress. Is it too much? Possibly – but I think Serena pulled it off, and it’s timeless for me. It’s a proper Royal wedding dress – you certainly wouldn’t find it anywhere else!
I agree! I was 16 at the time of this wedding and thought it was the most beautiful and dramatic dress I had ever seen. I had no idea it was a tribute to Margaret’s dress. It really stands on its own and is still one of my favourites of all time.