Why Princess Diana had a horseshoe sewn into her wedding gown
Diana had sown into the back of her gown, an 18-carat Welsh gold horseshoe brooch
Forty-four years ago, Lady Diana Spencer made history, by marrying Prince Charles in a lavish ceremony at St. Paul’s Cathedral.
But beneath the yards of ivory silk taffeta, adorned with lace, sequins, and that unforgettable 25-foot train, Diana had sown into the back of her gown, an 18-carat Welsh gold horseshoe brooch, tucked discreetly into the fabric by her designers, Elizabeth and David Emanuel.
The charm was a personal request from Diana, as in British folklore, the horseshoe has been seen as a talisman of good luck since at least the 10th century.
"She actually had a little 18-carat gold horseshoe brooch sewn into the back of her wedding gown for an extra helping of prosperity on her big day," said Sarah McCann, trends expert at Diamonds Factory.
“The horseshoe has been a common good luck charm in the UK since 969AD.”
Yet, as many now know, the charm wasn’t enough to steer the marriage away from trouble.
The day itself was peppered with small mishaps: Diana’s dress arrived slightly creased, she spilled perfume on the gown, and during the vows, famously stumbled over Charles’ name, calling him “Philip Charles Arthur George” instead of the correct order, “Charles Philip Arthur George.”
Years later, Diana would call her wedding day “the worst day of my life.”
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