A look at Catherine Middleton’s wedding dress designed by Sarah Burton, creative director of Alexander McQueen. The ivory and white silk gazar wedding dress with V-neck lace bodice is a delightful combination of traditional and modern elements. Above, official portrait of Prince William and Ms Middleton, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, taken at Buckingham Palace by Hugo Burnand.
The structured bodice of the wedding gown is modern with a nod to Alexander McQueen’s construction while the general style is modest, with long sleeves, reminiscent of Grace Kelly’s dress.
(You may have read in previous post how Wedding Inspirasi’s Nina had imagined Catherine Middleton walking the aisle in a Grace Kelly inspired wedding dress but while both dresses came with long sleeve lace bodices, the similarity ends there. In particular, Grace Kelly’s dress designed by MGM’s wardrobe designer Helen Rose, featured a high neck with a row two dozen tiny lace-covered buttons in front and pleated silk faille cumberband.)
Catherine Middleton’s wedding dress was made with individual flowers hand-cut from lace and hand-appliqued onto ivory silk tulle, with a row of button detailing on each of the lace sleeves.
The train of the dress is about 9 feet or 2 metres 70 cm in length. The late Princess Diana’s wedding gown train length in comparison was 25 feet or about 7.6 metres long.
Catherine’s sister and maid of honor Pippa Middleton, also dressed in a white Alexander McQueen gown, helped with the train as Kate is led by her father Michael Middleton into Westminster Abbey.
The veil was made of layers of soft, ivory silk tulle with a trim of hand-embroidered flowers, which was embroidered by the Royal School of Needlework.
Catherine wore her hair loose with a semi updo or a demi chignon style. She wore a diamond Cartier 'halo' tiara, lent to her by the Queen.
Catherine Middleton's earrings, commissioned by her parents Michael and Carole, were made by Robinson Pelham Jewellers. The earrings feature diamond set stylised oak leaves with pear shaped diamond set drop and a pave set diamond acorn suspended in the centre, inspired by the family’s new coat of arms
Ms Catherine Middleton's wedding look is classic, elegant, natural, regal and timeless.
Entirely fitting for a princess and future queen.
The Royal Wedding at Buckingham Palace on 29th April 2011: The Bride and Groom, TRH The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge in the Throne Room. Photograph by Hugo Burnand
Kate Middleton's Second Wedding Dress by Sarah Burton
That evening, Kate changed into her second wedding dress also by Sarah Burton. The Duchess of Cambridge changed into her “disco dress” for the evening soiree, a strapless white satin gazar evening dress with sweetheart neckline and diamante embroidered waist detail which she paired with a 3/4 sleeves cropped cardigan
The Duchess of Cambridge and the Duchess of Cornwall leave Clarence House for the evening wedding reception given by The Prince of Wales at Buckingham Palace, 29 April 2011.
