Cursed accessory: why Jacqueline Kennedy’s daughter refused a family heirloom

Legion Media

This accessory has been passed down from woman to woman in the Jacqueline family since 1903, but Mrs. Kennedy’s marriage ended the half-century tradition.

John F. Kennedy and Jacqueline Bouvier met when the girl was already engaged to businessman John Hasted. Jackie’s best friend, Charlie Bartlett, does not support the businessman: it is he who decides to introduce the young Bouvier to the charismatic Kennedy, there is no doubt that an affair will immediately begin between the young people.

Charlie was not mistaken: John and Jacqueline fell in love, and the girl broke off the engagement. After a year of walking and talking together, Kennedy proposed and Jacqueline accepted. The wedding was scheduled for September 12, 1953.

Jacqueline’s mother, Janet, wanted to throw a modest party, but John’s father announced that he would not just marry his son, but introduce the whole country to the future first lady – he had no doubt that John would win the ‘election. So, instead of a small holiday, it was decided to hold a magnificent ceremony for a thousand guests.

Jacqueline’s wedding outfit and the bridesmaids’ dresses were sewn by Ann Lowe, a very popular fashion designer among the elite, and John F. Kennedy’s father closely followed every step of the creation of the image. It’s unclear if Jackie liked the outcome or just agreed with her stepfather. But the bride looked great – a real princess from a fairy tale.

Lowe’s wedding dress was ivory taffeta – it took 45 yards of fabric. A portrait neckline emphasized Jacqueline’s graceful neck, the bodice hugged her slender figure, the skirt was adorned with intertwining ribbons and tiny wax flowers. Few people knew that they sewed it in just five days, because shortly before the wedding pipes burst in Ann’s workshop and the first sample turned out to be damaged beyond repair.

The dress was complemented by an elegant accessory – a vintage airy veil, which was a family heirloom, passed down from generation to generation since 1903. First, her grandmother Jacqueline put it on for a wedding, then her daughters, then Jackie herself. The veil looked so impressive that security guards dubbed Ms. Kennedy with the code name “Lace”.

But Caroline – Jacqueline’s daughter – categorically refused to wear the veil at the time of her wedding. The girl did not explain anything, but there were rumors that she believed that after Kennedy’s assassination jewelry could only bring bad luck. Caroline may have been right: Leigh – Jacqueline’s sister, who decided to wear the veil – was married three times and divorced three times.