HOLLYWOOD—Wedding gowns of the rich and famous have always been objects of fascination. Star-watchers and regular citizens alike admire and critique the extravagant dresses, with their intricate detailing and fine materials. In recent years, as fashion designers have become celebrities in their own right, celebrity wedding gowns draw even more attention with designer names like Christian Dior, Vera Wang, Carolina Herrera, Valentino, Lawrence Steele and Oleg Cassini on the metaphorical tag.

Back in 2004, the journalist Letizia Ortiz married Felipe de Borbon (the heir to the Spanish throne) in an off-white Manuel Pertegaz gown with a silk veil and a 15-foot train. She donned the same diamond and platinum tiara that Queen Sofia wore at her wedding to King Juan Carlos.

In 2002, Argentinean banker Maxima Zorreguiet, the Netherlands’ future king, in a long-sleeve ivory silk Valentino gown with a 16.4-foot lace train. She also wore a diamond tiara and lace veil.

In 1993, after less than a year of courtship, the 22-year-old executive-in-training Queen Rania of Jordan married Jordan’s Prince Abdullah. She wore a gold-trimmed short-sleeve gown designed by Bruce Oldfield, who later revealed that her updo was so high that she had trouble getting into cars.

In 1986, Sarah Ferguson, the Duchess of York, wore a Lindka Cierach ivory duchess satin gown which featured a large beaded “A” for Andrew on the bottom of the 17-foot train.

One of the most famous wedding gowns in the world was worn by Princess Diana of Wales. David and Elizabeth Emanuel created the dress, which featured 275 yards of pearl-studded silk taffeta, tulle and netting. They designed the 25-foot train with the scale of St. Paul’s cathedral, the location of Diana and Charles’ 1983 royal nuptial.

In 1956, the Oscar-winning actress Grace Kelly married Prince Rainier of Monaco in a dress by MGM studio costume designer Helen Rose. It was created from 125-year-old Valenciennes rose-point lace, silk taffeta and 98 yards of tulle and took more than a dozen seamstresses six weeks to complete.

More recently, Katie Holmes also wore Valenciennes lace at her 2006 wedding to Tom Cruise. The off-shoulder dress was designed by Armani. Ivanka Trump’s Vera Wang wedding gown was also inspired by Grace Kelly’s magnificent wedding dress.

In 2011, Sarah Burton of Alexander McQueen had the distinction of designing Kate Middleton’s royal wedding gown. The Duchess of Cambridge and Burton worked closely together to design the dress, which reportedly cost £250,000.

Nicky Hilton's Celebrity Wedding Gown
Nicky Hilton’s Wedding Gown

On July 10, a different kind of royal wedding took place between Nicky Hilton, younger sister of Paris Hilton, and James Amschel Victor Rothschild, youngest child of famed British banker Amschel Mayor James Rothschild.

The bride, 31, is an author, actress and entrepreneur. She designs handbags, apparel and accessories. Her book, “365 Style,” was published last year. The couple met in 2011 at a wedding in Rome and began dating regularly after the event. In August 2014, Rothschild proposed during a vacation in Europe. According to published reports, the proposal took place during a romantic boat ride on Lake Como Italy. The bachelor got down on one knee and proposed with a large diamond ring.

Rose’s Scoop: Hard to believe that Linda Ronstadt turned 69 on July 15. Ronstadt earned 11 Grammy Awards, three American Music Awards, two Academy of Country Music Awards, an Emmy Award and numerous other awards. Her private life became public back in the 70s when she was an item with then- and current Governor of California Jerry Brown. Governor Brown is the longest serving governor in California history.