Maria Doyle Kennedy portrays Catherine of Aragon in "the Tudors" wearing this gorgeous dark gown. Personally, I think this is the most beautiful dress worn by "Catherine" in the entire show. The main fabric of the gown is of a lush black velvet. The bodice and the petticoat are beautifully embroidered with a silver/grey thread adorned with bright pearls.
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| Close-up of the embroideries |
It is hard to see in most shots of the episode but the sleeves beneath the velvet is closely ruffled to the wrist.
The neckline has not been decorated with jewels or a different fabric but the magnificent jewels of gold, onyx and rubies makes up for that in every way.
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| Close-up of the ruffled wrist |
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In "Anne of the Thousand Days" this costume was worn by Irene Papas as Catherine of Aragon at her trial. As it is often the case with Catherine's gowns this one is very dark. The bodice is completely simple without any decoration whatsoever - only the shine of the fabric has effect. The neck and collar bone are both covered in black muslin or organza. At the very edge the white linen shirt peaks out and creates a ruffle. The only thing of colour in this set are the golden stripes on the sleeves. A long and sleeveless "jacket" is worn in the trial scene but that does not have any colour either. A very large cross with dark onyxes on a golden base with three pearls dangling from the pendant - the chain itself is also of gold.
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