Kate Middleton’s wedding dress, the story of the world’s most coveted dress
On April 29, 2011, over two billion people eagerly awaited the arrival of Kate Middleton, wife of Prince William, second in line to the British throne and future king, on television. And here she appears in a beautiful 1978 Rolls-Royce Phantom VI, next to her father. He is radiant.
The car has transparent windows: The first long-awaited details of her wedding dress have been revealed. You can tell right away that the design is great. You can see the bustier and you can see the lace sleeves. The precious tiara glitters on her veiled head. Shortly after, it will become clear that this is a creation created by Sarah Burton, creative director of Alexander McQueen. But how was the world’s most coveted wedding dress born?
Kate Middleton’s wedding dress
The Duchess of Cambridge worked closely with the designer to create the wedding dress of her dreams. “Miss Middleton chose the British brand Alexander McQueen for the beauty of its craftsmanship and its respect for traditional craftsmanship and the technical construction of clothing,” the palace revealed in an official statement released on the day of William and Kate’s wedding. “She wanted her dress to combine tradition and modernity along with Alexander McQueen’s artistic vision.”
The corset is inspired by the Victorian tradition of corsets: very tight at the waist and lightly padded below the center, which is also a hallmark of Alexander McQueen’s style. However, the flower-inspired skirt is vast, like a real princess, and made up of several layers.
Kate Middleton’s train is 2 meters and 70 centimeters long, much shorter than Lady Diana’s, which is 7 meters long. There is a famous photo of Kate about to enter Westminster Abbey, followed by her sister Pippa holding her train. On the back, Kate’s dress is equipped with 58 buttons covered with gauze and organza.
The lace appliqué on the skirt and bodice of the dress was handmade by the Royal School of Needlework, which is based at Hampton Court Palace. Seamstresses use the Carrickmacross lace-making technique, which originated in Ireland in the early 19th century. Lace flowers are cut by hand—roses, thistles, daffodils, and shamrocks—and added to ivory silk tulle. The bodice, skirt, and hem of the petticoat are created with English and French Chantilly lace.
For the big day, Kate is wearing the Cartier Halo Tiara. The jewel was purchased by King George VI, Elizabeth’s father, for the Queen Mother in 1936… It was later given to Elizabeth by the Queen Mother on her eighteenth birthday. The tiara rests on a silk tulle veil with hand-embroidered flowers.
Sarah Burton’s team has thought of everything. According to tradition, “something blue” is missing, so she sews a blue ribbon inside the dress. Kate’s bouquet consists of myrtle, lily of the valley, hyacinth, and Diana barbatus. The sprig of myrtle comes from the same plant used in Queen Elizabeth’s wedding bouquet in 1947, the palace said.
Kate Middleton’s wedding dress has become a source of inspiration for many brides and is now on display at Buckingham Palace.
Kate wore a second wedding dress to the evening reception, also made by Sarah Burton for Alexander McQueen. The long dress, super minimalistic and elegant, features a small bustier and a wide skirt in noble satin finished with a crystal belt.
