Her headpiece by the leading British milliner Philip Treacy, with its combination of graceful loops and imposing spikes, resembled a catwalk version of the headgear favoured by the Queen herself - except that Victoria, a keen follower of fashion, styled hers in this season's black satin.
If the Queen was concerned that Beckham, known for his avant-garde dress sense, might turn up in a sarong, she needn't have worried. A couple who sat on giant purple thrones for their wedding reception, and whose Hertfordshire home is dubbed Beckingham Palace, were never going to pass up the opportunity to dress up for the real thing.
In stark contrast to Jamie Oliver, who last month wore a lounge suit, unbuttoned shirt and silver necklace to collect his MBE, David Beckham was immaculately turned out in a morning suit, albeit one custom-made by Dolce & Gabbana, Milan's most flamboyant designers, and accessorised with earrings and a ponytail.
The key sartorial message projected by this media-savvy couple was one of togetherness. Every aspect of their look, from the mirror-image black outfits to the coordinated Philip Treacy hats and matching diamond jewellery, seemed designed to underscore their vehement denial of rumours that their marriage is in trouble.
Victoria's hat and heels even served to place them at almost exactly equal height. Meanwhile, Beckham's choice of a highly traditional, British formal style proclaimed a proud patriotism befitting an England captain, while the choice of an Italian designer label nodded to their status as international celebrities.
Beckham's famous feminine side was there too, in a pair of diamond earrings which rivalled his wife's.
It was Victoria Beckham who approached Dolce & Gabbana to request clothes for the occasion. The designers said yesterday: "Victoria wanted something very classic, very Audrey Hepburn. David felt that for him, only morning dress was appropriate."
David Beckham wore charcoal pinstripe trousers with a black jacket, waistcoat and shoes, white shirt and silver tie. His wife wore a chic, Jackie O-inspired dress and coat in black lace, a Dolce & Gabbana signature fabric. The coat featured sleeves cropped above the wrist - a fittingly regal detail, since cropped sleeves are known as princess length.
Did somebody say Jonny Wilkinson? Sweetie, he's so last weekend.
