The Gown

The topic of royalty comes up frequently in The Gown, a novel about the making of Queen Elizabeth’s wedding gown. There are two opinions on royalty in the novel. There are the royalists, like Ann, who adore the royal family and think they do important things for the country. Ann defends royalty from the beginning against the insinuations of Milly, saying, “They work [...] They do. Just think what it’ll be like for them on that tour. Day after day of the same boring conversations with strangers. Being stared at wherever they go. People being struck dumb at the sign of them” (8). While Ann argues that the royals work, her opposition, people like Miriam and Milly, think that the royals are spoiled and removed from trouble while the rest of the country works. In response to Ann’s starry-eyed view of royalty, Milly says, “Just look at how they live. All those clothes and jewels, and never having to lift a finger to do anything. I should be so lucky” (8). Milly sees the extravagance of royalty and doesn’t understand why they are worshipped while she lives paycheck to paycheck. In the end, the novel sides with Ann’s rose-colored glasses version of royalty because Ann convinces Miriam of its importance.

When Ann and Miriam are commissioned to make the samples for the wedding gown, Miriam reveals her unfavorable opinion of royalty: “These people who live in their palaces and eat off gold plates while the rest of you queue up for your rations?” (151). Miriam is accusing the royal family of being removed from society and their hardships. Ann is shocked by the accusations and says the royalty has ration books they use like the rest of the commoners, even for clothing; she says that Princess Elizabeth will have to come up with enough ration coupons for her gown. Miriam is skeptical and thinks a special arrangement will be made for the princess. Ann defends the crown saying that the royal family is kind, giving the example of the queen thanking the women at Hartnell and giving them gifts like the heather from Balmoral. Their argument revolves around whether royalty cares about the economic hardships after the war. Miriam concedes in the end, agreeing to be fond of them if Ann is. People like Ann welcome the royal wedding as a distraction from hardships, while others think that it takes attention away from real issues like the economy. In the end, Princess Elizabeth’s wedding is celebrated and does take attention away from the hardships people face. Ironically, Miriam in later life is awarded a damehood by Queen Elizabeth.