Princess Eugenie stunned royal fans today as she arrived at St George's Chapel in Windsor Castle, the same venue where her cousin Prince Harry wed five months ago, in a stunning low-backed bespoke gown by Peter Pilotto and Christopher De Vos.
The Queen's 28-year-old grandaughter was marrying her boyfriend of eight years Jack Brooksbank, 32, who popped the question against the dramatic backdrop of a sunset volcano in Nicaragua back in January.
Eugenie, who works as an associate director at a London art gallery, wore her childhood surgery scars with pride, in a gown which exposed signs of a spinal op she had at the age of 12.
The princess had major surgery to correct a curvature of her spine, known as scoliosis, and had steel rods inserted into her back.
Eugenie's dramatic gown was developed layer by layer, constructed from a corset, complex underskirt, fitted bodice and full pleated skirt – with flowing full length train.
The fabric for the gown was designed by Pilotto and De Vos, who met Eugenie when she was co-hosting an event for female artists, at their East London studio – and includes a number of motifs personal to the princess.
These include a Thistle for Scotland, showing the couple's fondness for Balmoral, a Shamrock for Ireland, where Eugenie's mother Sarah Ferguson's family are from, and the York Rose, because of her father's title.
The artwork was weaved in the Como region of Italy.
Her something borrowed was the Greville Emerald Kokoshnik Tiara, which was lent from the Queen's personal collection.
While Eugenie's bridal shoes were satin peep-toe heels by Charlotte Olympia.
Hinting that she would show off her scars before the big day, Eugenie told Eammon Holmes and Ruth Langsford: “I think you can change the way beauty is, and you can show people your scars and I think it’s really special to stand up for that.
“The Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital, the RNOH, is a huge charity — I’m patron of their appeal and I had an operation when I was 12 on my back, and you’ll see.
“But it’s a lovely way to honour the people who looked after me, and a way of standing up for young people who also go through this.”
She is now a patron of the Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital – with her surgeon Jan Lehovsky and other RNOH staff among the 800 guests at her wedding today.
Eugenie, who's ninth in line to the throne, was tight-lipped about her wedding dress details right up to her dramatic entrance today.
However, appearing on the cover of British Vogue's September issue with sister Beatrice, 30, she revealed she would follow in the footsteps of Kate Middleton and Meghan by choosing a British designer.
She said: “It is a British based designer. As soon as we announced the wedding, I knew the designer, and the look, straight away.”
The princess arrived in a 1977 Rolls Royce Phanton VI, accompanied by her father the Duke of York – who confessed even he had been kept in the dark about the dress.
Andrew told Eamonn and Ruth he knew no details – apart from to prepare for his daughter's "wide train".
The Rolls Royce was given to the Queen in 1978, by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders, for her Silver Jubilee.
The Royal Wedding timetable
Groom Jack previously worked as a manager at the celebrity hotspot Mahiki and is now European brand manager for Casamigos Tequila, which was co-founded by George Clooney and Cindy Crawford's husband Rande Gerber.
Ahead of the big day, Eugenie said: “I’m not stressed at all. It’s nerve-racking because you want it to be perfect, but then you realise that you’re going to be with the person you love forever and nothing else really matters.”
Speaking to Eamonn and Ruth yesterday, she added that it was "love at first sight" when she first met Jack while skiing in Verbier, Switzerland.
This may be the second royal wedding of the year, but Eugenie was determined to put her own spin on it.
The springtime floral display which surrounded St George's Chapel at Meghan and Harry's nuptials was replaced by a gorgeous autumnal selection – which was perfect for an October wedding.
The flowering branches were sourced locally from Windsor Great Park, which is the site of the York family home, and were chosen to reflect the “rich and vibrant tones of autumn”, Buckingham Palace explained.
Liquid amber trees – which turn a vibrant yellow, orange and then red before shedding their leaves – were also included.
Floral designer Rob Van Helden was the man chosen to decorate the historic venue, describing it as "the greatest privilege and honour".
We're sure Eugenie felt a bit of pressure when it came to choosing her wedding dress – after her cousins-in-law both wowed on their big days.
Kate Middleton wore a stunning Alexander McQueen gown, designed by Brit Sarah Burton, when she married Prince William in April 2011.
It's estimated to have cost £250,000 – making it one of the most expensive wedding dresses ever made. The dramatic gown had an ivory satin bodies with lace applique, long sleeves, and a bridal train measuring 8ft 8ins.
While Meghan Markle stunned in a silk Givenchy gown, with staggering 15ft embroidered veil, created by British designer Clare Waight Keller.
With an open bateau neckline, her hair in a slick bun and a Queen Mary tiara on loan from the Queen, Meghan seamlessly blended her signature style with royal tradition.
You can read the latest on the biggest wedding of the autumn here, while this is the one thing Eugenie can't do on her wedding day.
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