Once upon a time, Sarah Burton creative director of Alexander McQueen surely knew what she was doing when she designed Kate Middleton’s wedding dress.
The whole world watched Kate elegantly walk down the red carpet into the church wearing the unique wedding dress and accessories as if she were on a catwalk. When Prince William saw his bride he said ‘you look beautiful’, and beautiful was the perfect word to describe Kate, now Catherine Duchess of Cambridge. Of course, in order to make such an incredible art piece, details play an incredibly important role.
Rose, thistle, daffodil and shamrock
Representing England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales, the Royal School of Needlework hand made the main parts of the wedding dress by sewing lace shapes of the four nations’ emblems – rose, thistle, daffodil and shamrock onto ivory tulle creating the particular bodice.
Opening flower
Resembling an ‘opening flower’ the skirt was made by using white satin gazar arches and pleats, with a train attached measuring almost 9-ft long.
Something borrowed
To hold the veil made of layers of soft, ivory silk tulle and a trim of embroidered flowers into place, The Queen borrowed Kate a Cartier ‘halo’ tiara that was made in 1936. The tiara was given to The Queen as an 18th birthday gift from her mother who had received it as a gift from her husband the Duke of York (later King George VI).
Sweet William
The wired bouquet contained myrtle, lily of the valley, hyacinth and sweet William (as a gesture to her husband to be) and was formed into the shape of a shield.
Acorns and oak leaves
Another very important feature in which aided the beauty of Kate’s appearance was a pair of diamond drop earrings given to her by her parents for the wedding. The design was inspired by the Middleton family’s new coat of arms, which consists of acorns and oak leaves.
So, at Westminster Abbey in London, on April 29th 2011, Kate married her prince charming totally looking the part as a princess and they lived happily ever after.
What’s your dresses story?
I love that she used the same floral symbols that Queen Elizabeth II used. And all the other symbols are fantastic!