Deborah Chan
Kate Middleton's wedding dress, designed by Sarah Burton for Alexander McQueen, was one of the most anticipated wedding dresses in history. The dress was a combination of tradition and modernity, with intricate details like a 9-foot long train, 58 gazar and organza-covered buttons, and a blue ribbon sewn inside. The dress was exhibited at Buckingham Palace from 23 July 2011 to 3 October 2011, alongside other items from the Royal Wedding. While the dress was well-received by the public and fashion experts, Queen Elizabeth II reportedly described the display as horrid and creepy during a private tour. However, it is unclear whether her comment specifically referred to the dress or the overall exhibition.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Wedding dress designer | Sarah Burton for Alexander McQueen |
| Wedding dress style | Long-sleeve V-neck gown |
| Wedding dress details | 58 gazar and organza-covered buttons, satin gazar, silk tulle, lace flowers, blue ribbon |
| Wedding dress cost | Estimated $434,000 |
| Tiara | Cartier Halo tiara, loaned by Queen Elizabeth |
| Tiara details | 739 brilliant-cut diamonds and 139 baguettes |
| Tiara cost | $1.6 million in 2025 |
| Bouquet | Lily-of-the-valley, sweet William, hyacinth, ivy, myrtle |
| Display at Buckingham Palace | July 23, 2011 - October 3, 2011 |
| Number of visitors to display | Record number of visitors |
| Money raised for charity | Around £10 million |
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What You'll Learn
The Queen's comments on the display of the dress
The Queen's comments on the display of Kate Middleton's wedding dress were not entirely positive. During a private tour of the exhibition at Buckingham Palace in July 2011, the Queen described the display as "horrid". The dress was displayed on a headless mannequin with white lighting, which the Queen found "very creepy". Catherine, the Duchess of Cambridge, who was accompanying the Queen on the tour, responded by saying that the display had a "3D effect".
The exhibition, which included the dress and other items from the Royal Wedding, was on display at Buckingham Palace from 23 July 2011 to 3 October 2011. The display of the dress helped attract a record number of visitors to the palace during the summer months of 2011 and raised around £10 million for Middleton's charity fund and the Royal Collection.
While the Queen's comments on the display of the dress may not have been favourable, she did play a significant role in the wedding by loaning Kate the Cartier Halo tiara. This tiara was a special piece as it was gifted to the Queen by her mother, the Queen Mother, on her 18th birthday. The tiara, which featured 739 brilliant-cut diamonds and 139 baguettes, was a symbol of Kate's acceptance and welcome into the Royal family.
Overall, the dress itself was well-received by the public and fashion experts, who praised the combination of tradition and modernity. The choice of the Alexander McQueen label and the style of the dress was seen as a clever mix of edgy fashion and tradition, with references to Grace Kelly and Queen Elizabeth's dresses, but in a simpler, more modern way. The lace bodice of the dress, in particular, echoed the one worn by Grace Kelly for her marriage in 1956.
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The Cartier Halo tiara loaned to Kate by the Queen
The Cartier Halo Tiara, loaned to Kate Middleton by the Queen, has a rich history. It was commissioned by King George VI in 1936 for his wife, the Queen Mother, and later passed on to his daughter, Queen Elizabeth II, on her 18th birthday in 1946. The tiara features 739 brilliant-cut diamonds and 149 baguettes. It was a perfect ""something borrowed"" for Kate's wedding to Prince William.
The tiara was first worn publicly by the Duchess of York (later known as the Queen Mother) at a charity ball in 1936, before it was purchased by the Duke of York. It was then passed down to Princess Elizabeth (later Queen Elizabeth II), who loaned it to her younger sister, Princess Margaret, who wore it on several occasions, including the inauguration of Queen Juliana of the Netherlands in 1948 and the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II in 1953.
Princess Elizabeth also loaned the tiara to her daughter, Princess Anne, who wore it to the State Opening of Parliament in 1967. It was Princess Anne's first tiara appearance at just 17 years old. The Cartier Halo Tiara was last seen before Kate's wedding in 1967, when Princess Anne wore it.
The tiara was a perfect choice for Kate's wedding day, as it matched the scroll motif of the Robinson Pelham earrings that her parents had commissioned for her. The earrings featured a diamond acorn from the Middleton family's coat of arms. The tiara's relatively small size also made it a fitting choice for a young princess or a commoner transitioning into royal life.
The Cartier Halo Tiara has been exhibited in recent years, including at the 2018 Cartier exhibition in Canberra, and it has been featured in books.
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Kate's choice of designer
Kate Middleton's wedding dress was designed by Sarah Burton for Alexander McQueen. The gown was made of ivory and white satin gazar, with a 9-foot-long train, 58 gazar and organza-covered buttons, and an underskirt of silk tulle. The dress was designed to resemble an opening flower, with satin gazar arches and intricate pleats.
Kate chose the British brand for its "beauty of its craftsmanship and its respect for traditional workmanship and the technical construction of clothing". She wanted a dress that combined ""tradition and modernity with the artistic vision that characterises Alexander McQueen's work". The choice of designer was kept a closely guarded secret, with the palace and design team going to extraordinary lengths to keep it under wraps.
The dress was well-received by the public and fashion experts, who noted its traditional style and references to Grace Kelly and Queen Elizabeth's dresses, but in a "simpler, more modern way". It is said to have influenced wedding fashion in the years following.
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The influence of Kate's dress on wedding fashion
Kate Middleton's wedding dress, designed by Sarah Burton for Alexander McQueen, has had a significant influence on wedding fashion. The dress was widely anticipated and generated much commentary from fashion experts, who praised its combination of tradition and modernity.
The choice of a British brand like Alexander McQueen, known for its craftsmanship and respect for traditional workmanship, set a trend for bridal styles that combined classicism with a modern twist. The long-sleeved design, inspired by the Victorian tradition of corsetry, was particularly notable, with many suggesting it signalled a move away from strapless wedding gowns. The use of lace, including the intricate Carrickmacross lace technique, and the inclusion of floral motifs, also became popular choices for brides seeking to emulate Kate's elegant and timeless look.
The dress's silhouette and construction were equally influential. The skirt, designed to echo an opening flower, featured white satin gazar arches and pleats that created a stunning train. This attention to detail and emphasis on craftsmanship inspired brides to seek out gowns that emphasised structure and technical construction. The dress's ability to stand the test of time was also a key influence, with many brides seeking out timeless designs that would remain stylish for years to come.
In addition to the dress itself, Kate's choice of accessories also impacted wedding trends. The Cartier Halo tiara, loaned to her by Queen Elizabeth, became known as "Kate's tiara" and inspired brides to incorporate borrowed or vintage pieces into their wedding ensembles. The Duchess of Cambridge's bouquet, which included sweet William and myrtle, also sparked a trend for brides to incorporate flowers with symbolic meanings into their bouquets.
Overall, Kate Middleton's wedding dress had a significant and lasting impact on wedding fashion. Its combination of tradition and modernity, attention to detail, and timeless elegance inspired brides worldwide to seek out gowns that reflected a similar blend of classicism and contemporary style. The dress's influence extended beyond the design itself, impacting the choice of accessories and even the way brides approached the overall aesthetic of their wedding day look.
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The craftsmanship and attention to detail
The dress itself was a long-sleeve V-neck gown made from a combination of white and ivory satin gazar, with intricate pleats and satin gazar arches that gave the skirt a blooming flower-like shape. The lace bodice echoed that of Grace Kelly's wedding dress, while the overall silhouette was similar to that of Queen Elizabeth II's 1947 wedding gown, purposefully chosen by Kate to signify her future role as Queen. The lace for the dress was produced by three companies: Sophie Hallette and Solstiss in France, and the Cluny Lace Company in the UK. The majority of the dress used Solstiss lace, specifically for the skirt and train.
The dressmakers working on the gown went to great lengths to ensure its pristine condition, washing their hands every 30 minutes and using new needles every three hours. The dress also featured 58 gazar and organza-covered buttons on the back, each fastened with rouleau loops, and a blue ribbon sewn inside as the "something blue." The train of the dress was nearly 9 feet long, and the bottom was designed to resemble an opening flower.
The attention to detail extended to Kate's accessories as well. She borrowed a Cartier Halo tiara from Queen Elizabeth, which featured 739 brilliant-cut diamonds and 139 baguettes. The tiara was created in 1936 and had been passed down through generations of royals, including the Queen Mother, Princess Margaret, and Princess Anne. Kate's veil was 16.5 feet long and made of silk tulle, held in place by the tiara. Her earrings, designed by Robinson Pelham, were her "something new," with an oak leaf design inspired by her family's coat of arms.
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Frequently asked questions
It is unclear whether the Queen liked Kate's wedding dress. However, it was reported that she described the display of the dress and tiara at Buckingham Palace as "horrid" and "very creepy".
Yes, the Queen loaned Kate the Cartier Halo tiara she received on her 18th birthday.
Sarah Burton designed Kate's wedding dress for Alexander McQueen.
Kate's dress was largely traditional and inspired by dresses from the 1950s. It also bore similarities to Grace Kelly's wedding dress and Queen Elizabeth's 1947 gown.
The lace was produced on large 19th-century machines and stitched to machine net. The technique used was influenced by traditional Carrickmacross lace.
