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This blue silk chiffon Catherine Walker ballgown was the epitome of elegance. It so resembled a film costume worn by Grace Kelly, it was given that nickname. The style is a Grecian gathered column that falls strapless to the floor, cross cinched with fabric wrapped around the waist from the back to the front then back again around the hips to blend into a layer of the skirt. Its main accessory is a long and dramatic self-fabric stole draped around the neck and trailing the back to a knot where it blends with the folds of its skirt. It sold as Lot 6 in the Christie’s auction for $74,000.00.
Another outfit rarely copied by non-doll manufacturers, this lovely, floaty elegant and flattering gown was worn on multiple occasions, most famously the Cannes Film Festival, on which the Franklin Mint based the porcelain “Princess of Elegance” doll left). This featured aquamarine drop earrings, (painted) silver pumps, a diamond/sapphire tennis bracelet and a silver envelope evening clutch.
If you choose to rob an FM porcelain for her gown, you will miss the joy of acquiring a vinyl doll with the stiff, almost helmet-headed wig, the double strand pearl bracelet and yet another pair of pearl drop earrings. The blue clutch from the vinyl dressed doll is nicer than the porcelain’s though. More information on the FMvinyl outfit.
By adding a Spencer tiara, a yellow ribbon with a tiny locket for the Queen's Family Order (or robbing a Danbury Mint Royal Wardrobe gown ensemble for this), you can do the Royal Banquet version
Much later, Franklin Mint copied its own product in a limited edition issue of 1,000 vinyl wardrobe dolls rather unimaginatively called the “Princess of Elegance,” however it was accessorized as worn to “Miss Saigon” (left).
I’m aware that one replica maker produced this gown, but I never saw the finished product, only scans of a prototype.
As an outfit for the FM vinyl doll, I was happy to see it include:
1. Gown/stole
2. Blue strappy shoes (should have been silver!)
3. Matching blue evening clutch
4. Pearl drop earrings (should have been aquamarine!)
5. Pearl bracelet
Once I found the Royal Banquet video (see image still above) I became desperately sorry that this event wasn't chosen instead, as it's incredibly elegant and would have been the sole FM doll wearing the Queen's Family Order, a coveted personal honour conferred by the Queen herself on female family members which is discreetly and proudly worn on very formal state events.
According to Wikipedia, it is a personal memento rather than a state Honour (like a knighthood or dameship) and there are currently 7 living holders of it (8 deceased, including Diana.) It is likely that Meghan, Duchess of Sussex would have become the 8th living recipient once she had done the requisite amount of charity work and appearances on behalf of the Queen if the Sussexes hadn't bailed on being part of the cast of the Royalty show in 2020.
I'm sure when this is realised, it will be added to their list of grievances against the Royal Family (that Kate has one and Meghan doesn't. Sorry if this offends you, but the open sibling rivalry and complaints of inequitable treatment from someone raised in a tradition of protocol on both sides of his family being clueless of defined rules of rank and precedence still astonishes me. If the Sussexes had any sense, they would have asked a courtier/"grey man" [or googled] whether their children would be titled "prince" or "princess". Considering they were well-aware that Edward's and Anne's children were without titles, there must have been some inkling. End of editorial comment on something that is actually none of my business other than personal interest as a citizen of the United Kingdom and a reader of royalty news.)
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