As speculation rages about Meghan Markle's wedding dress, we take a look back at those worn by the Queen, Princess Anne and the Duchess of Cambridge

But royal wedding style has changed through the ages. And on every occasion, the choices – seen on a world stage – have been emulated by brides and grooms wanting a dash of royalty on their big day.

Let's start with Queen Victoria, who, historians say, did not want a big wedding. But she was convinced by Prime Minister Lord Melbourne to scale up the celebration.

At the time, wedding dresses were not necessarily white. But Victoria chose white because she wanted to show off the lace. Queen Victoria is also credited for making wearing white to someone else's wedding a social no-no after declaring that no one else should wear white on her big day (except for her bridesmaids). Victoria wore Turkish diamond earrings, a sapphire brooch from Albert, and white satin shoes. She also wore kid gloves, and a wreath of myrtle and orange blossoms.

The Queen Mother married King George VI in 1923 in a simple wedding dress much in keeping with the style of the time made famous by Coco Chanel.

Sir Norman Hartnell designed the dress for the wedding of the Queen to Prince Philip in 1947. It featured duchesse silk satin, white seed pearls, silver thread, sparkling crystal and transparent appliqué tulle embroidery, with a silk tulle veil.

Hartnell submitted his designs just three months before the wedding. It had a magnificent 15-foot silk tulle full court train, which was attached at the shoulders, is embroidered in pearl, crystal and appliqué duchesse satin.

Diana Princess of Wales made the Emanuels (David now of Say Yes to the Dress fame) a household name when she walked up the aisle in a huge dress with a 25ft-long train.

A quarter of a century later, Prince Charles' second wife Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, chose an elegant two-piece designed by Antonia Robinson and Anne Valentine, with statement headwear created by Philip Treacy.

The wedding of Prince Edward and Sophie Helen Rhys-Jones is regarded by many commentators as a 'low-key' royal wedding. But many stylists believe the Duchess of Wessex's dress stood the test of time better than most. The gown was designed by Samantha Shaw and was made of silk crepe and silk organza. It had a deep V neck and a coat dress effect. It was scattered with 325,000 crystal beads and pearls which caught the light in Windsor Chapel.

The Duchess of Cambridge, Kate Middleton chose Sarah Burton for Alexander McQueen for her regal walk up the aisle.

But what most people don't realise is that Kate had a SECOND dress on her big day. She ditched the bigger number for the evening reception and opted for a satin gown, also designed by Sarah Burton for Alexander McQueen.

Although she isn't a royal, Pippa Middleton has become something of a style icon and her dress was widely emulated by designers after she wed James Matthews last year (also in Berkshire). The lace gown was designed by Giles Deacon, costing in the region of £40,000.