Prince Amedeo of Belgium, Archduke of Austria-Este married Elisabetta Maria Rosboch von Wolkenstein at Basilica Santa Maria in Trastevere today in Rome. Elisabetta looked luminously beautiful in a Valentino designed dress and matching veil. The dress featured a high illusion bodice and three quarter length sleeves made of ivory point d’esprit tulle trimmed with rebrodè lace, which continued over the bodice of the gown. This lace detail and point d’esprit tulle were repeated on the full skirt, which  flowed into a sweeping but light-as-air train.

Elisabetta anchored her five meter long point d’esprit tulle veil (trimmed with beautiful Chantilly lace) with a surprise- Queen Elisabeth’s Diamond Bandeau on loan from Prince Amedeo’s grandmother, Queen Paola. This is the same tiara Queen Mathilde borrowed for her wedding in 1999 and the small scale suited Elisabetta very well. I particularly liked the contrast of the graphic art deco lines of this tiara with the scalloped lace edging Elisabetta’s veil. Perhaps this tiara will be used for future Belgian royal brides, as well (I would love to see such a tradition continue).

The young couple emerged from the Basilica with a pair of the widest royal grins we have seen in a long while- such a heartwarming and delightful sight.

The young bridesmaids wore white dresses with dark teal pleated collars, sashes, and silk slippers. Their high contrast ensembles were topped with lovely green and white floral wreaths.

Prince Amedeo’s sister, Princess Laeticia (above, center) was joined by her cousins Princess Elisabeth (below, center) and Princess Louise (below, right).

You can see photos of hats worn by the Belgian Royal Family at this post and by other royal guests, at this post. There were some beautiful (and bizarre) pieces you won’t want to miss.

Photos from AFP and Belga via LaVenir; RTL; Elisabetta Villa/Stringer, Elisabetta Villa/Stringer, Elisabetta Villa/Stringer, and Elizabetta Villa/Stringer via Getty