How luxury shoemakers work with British royals: from Queen Elizabeth and Princess Diana’s love for Roger Vivier, to Lady Amelia and Eliza Spencer’s work with Sauvereign in Hong Kong – interviews

Jun 23 , 2023

Princess Diana wearing Rayne pumps, Lady Amelia and Eliza Spencer wearing Sauvereign, and Queen Elizabeth wearing Rayne shoes. Photos: Handout

British royals have worn some iconic shoes, from Kate Middleton and Meghan Markle’s love for Jimmy Choo to Princess Diana’s ‘Love’ pumps from Christian Louboutin

Rayne Shoes has a historic relationship working with Queen Mary, Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother, Princess Margaret, Princess Anne and Princess Diana, and holds a royal warrant

Queen Elizabeth’s majestic 13kg Norman Hartnell gown and her timeless jewels worn at the 1953 coronation left an indelible mark on the memories of British and global royalists. Yet hidden beneath that regal ensemble were a pair of comfortable and stylish shoes, custom-crafted by Roger Vivier.

Queen Elizabeth and the Duke of Edinburgh on the day of their coronation at Buckingham Palace, Britain, in 1953. Photo: Getty Images

Vivier’s gold pumps featured a jewel-encrusted heel and an elegant fleur-de-lis pattern on the upper, perfectly mirroring the motifs adorning both the St. Edward’s Crown and the Imperial State Crown. These bespoke shoes not only provided comfort to Queen Elizabeth during her historic coronation but also epitomised the harmonious fusion of luxury, style and regal symbolism.

Original pumps designed by Roger Vivier for Queen Elizabeth’s coronation in 1953. Photo: Roger Vivier

“The gold pumps – handcrafted, inlaid with rubies – symbolises the union between the queen and her subjects, on both the heel and upper decorative motif,” Roger Vivier’s creative director Gherardo Felloni tells Style.

Tradition reigns supreme within the British royal family, and this reverence extends to their fashion choices, including footwear. In 2020, the brand unveiled a modern rendition of the Vivier Queen Sandal, serving as a timeless tribute to the enduring heritage of its artistic vision. “The Vivier Queen Sandal is the epitome of elegant footwear,” says Felloni.

Catherine, then-Duchess of Cambridge, attends the EE British Academy Film Awards at Royal Albert Hall in February 2019, in London, England. Photo: WireImage

Over the years, members of the royal family have turned to their most trusted shoe designers, from Jimmy Choo, a popular brand among all the ladies from Meghan Markle to Kate Middleton, to Princess Diana’s “Love” pumps from Christian Louboutin and her wedding shoes from Clive Shilton, complete with over 150 pearls and 500 sequins.

Rayne Shoes’ Old Bond Street shop in 1958. Photo: Handout

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