Silver had designed the dress for Princess May's intended wedding to George's older brother, Prince Albert Victor, Duke of Clarence and Avondale, in 1892.

This 'Lily of the Valley' creation had been made public just days before the Duke of Clarence's untimely death in January 1892 but had to be completely abandoned.

[5] The design chosen for the York-Teck wedding was 'The May Silks'; the dress would feature embroidery of the emblems of a rose, shamrock and thistle, and be trimmed with the traditional orange blossom and true lovers knots.

[4] In March 1893, the Duchess and Princess visited the Warner & Sons' factory at Hollybush Gardens in Spitalfields,[6] London and commissioned them to make the finest white silk with silver thread by Albert Parchment in time for the July wedding.

[9] The train was long and plain (although The Times reported there was none[11]) and the veil of her mother's which she wore was also made of Honiton lace, fastened by diamond pins given as a gift from Queen Victoria.