Rhiannon Hendricks
Princess Kate's wedding dress, designed by Sarah Burton for Alexander McQueen, is one of the most memorable royal wedding looks of all time. The dress, which featured a Victorian lace-covered bodice, a plunging neckline, and long sleeves, is believed to have cost her parents, Carole and Michael Middleton, £250,000. The gown, which was on display at Buckingham Palace from July to October 2011, attracted record numbers of visitors, with over 600,000 people paying £17.50 each to catch a glimpse of the stunning dress.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Designer | Sarah Burton for Alexander McQueen |
| Cost | £250,000 |
| Paid by | Carole and Michael Middleton |
| Style | Victorian, lace-covered bodice, V-neck, long lace sleeves, signature padding on the hips, eight-foot train |
| Exhibition | Displayed at Buckingham Palace from July to October 2011 |
| Number of viewers | More than 600,000 |
| Ticket price | £17.50 |
| Second dress | A more comfortable dress for the reception |
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What You'll Learn
Kate Middleton's wedding dress designer
Kate Middleton's wedding dress was designed by Sarah Burton, the creative director of Alexander McQueen. Burton was named as the designer on the morning of the wedding, 29 April 2011.
The dress was made of ivory and white satin gazar, with a Victorian-style bodice, long lace sleeves, and a nearly 9-foot-long train. The lace designs included roses, thistles, daffodils, and shamrocks, representing the national flowers of England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland, respectively. The dress was widely anticipated and generated much comment in the media, with many noting the traditional style and expected influence on bridal gown trends.
The dress reportedly cost £250,000, with Kate's parents, Carole and Michael Middleton, footing the bill. It went on display at Buckingham Palace from July to October 2011, attracting over 600,000 visitors.
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The cost of other royal wedding dresses
Princess Kate's wedding dress, although impressive, was not the most expensive royal bridal gown in history. In fact, it was reportedly outdone by 18 times by Queen Letizia of Spain's wedding dress, which was worth £6 million. The dress featured a four-and-a-half-metre-long train, long sleeves, a high-standing collar, and embroidery woven into the silk using gold thread.
Princess Diana
Princess Diana's silk-and-taffeta dress, designed by David and Elizabeth Emanuel, cost $115,000 at the time of her wedding to Prince Charles in 1981. The dress included mother-of-pearl sequins, approximately 10,000 pearls, puff sleeves, a ruffled neckline, and a 25-foot train. When adjusted for inflation, the cost of the dress is estimated to be $413,000.
Queen Elizabeth
Queen Elizabeth's 1947 wedding gown, designed by Norman Hartnell, cost $42,000 at the time of her wedding to Prince Philip. When adjusted for inflation, the cost of the dress is estimated to be $1.6 million. The dress featured long sleeves, a statement-making Duchesse satin design, floral embroidery, and crystal and pearl appliqués.
Meghan Markle
Meghan Markle's wedding dress, designed by Clare Waight Keller for Givenchy, reportedly cost around $265,000.
Princess Eugenie
Princess Eugenie's custom wedding dress, designed by Peter Pilotto, cost around $260,000 for her wedding to Jack Brooksbank in 2018. The dress featured an off-the-shoulder neckline and a fabric jacquard weave with symbolic little symbols, including a thistle for Scotland and a shamrock for Ireland.
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The display of the dress at Buckingham Palace
Princess Kate's wedding dress, an Alexander McQueen gown, is one of the most iconic dresses in history. The dress was designed by Sarah Burton, the creative director of the luxury fashion house of Alexander McQueen. The dress featured a Victorian bodice, long lace sleeves, signature padding on the hips, and an eight-foot train.
The dress went on display at Buckingham Palace from July to October 2011, attracting a record-breaking number of visitors. Tickets cost £17.50 each, and over 600,000 people went to see the dress. The late Queen Elizabeth II viewed the dress at a private preview before it opened to the public, but she was reportedly not impressed, describing the display as "horrible" and "horrid". In contrast, Princess Kate was pleased with the 3D effect created by the 12 spotlights used to illuminate the dress.
The dress was a significant attraction at the Palace's annual summer exhibition in 2011. The display not only showcased the dress's aesthetic appeal but also highlighted the intricate details and symbolism incorporated into its design. The exhibition curators took great care to ensure the dress was presented in the best possible light, both literally and figuratively, to honour its role in a historic royal wedding and its place in fashion history.
Following the exhibition, the dress was placed into storage as part of the Royal Collection. The decision to store the dress was made to preserve its delicate fabric and ensure its longevity. The dress's display at Buckingham Palace provided a unique opportunity for the public to view this iconic garment up close, and it remains a memorable part of Princess Kate's wedding legacy.
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The cost of the earrings and tiara
Princess Kate's wedding earrings were the Robinson Pelham earrings, designed to resemble the Middleton family's coat of arms. They were a gift from her parents, Carole and Michael Middleton. Unfortunately, I could not find the cost of these earrings.
For her wedding, Princess Kate wore the Cartier Halo Tiara. It was originally a gift to Queen Elizabeth on her 18th birthday and was later passed down to Princess Kate. The tiara is valued at $135 million.
While it is not one of the most expensive wedding tiaras, it is still considered a "true royal treasure." The British wedding tiara collection is estimated to be worth around $31 million. Here is a list of some of the most expensive wedding tiaras in the British royal family:
- Greville Emerald Kokoshnik Tiara: Worn by Princess Eugenie, valued between $6.9 million and $13.8 million.
- Queen Mary Fringe Tiara: Worn by Princess Beatrice, valued at $9 million.
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The design and construction of the dress
The design of Princess Kate's wedding dress was a collaboration between the princess and Sarah Burton, the creative director of the luxury fashion house Alexander McQueen. The dress featured a V-neck, long lace sleeves, a fitted Victorian bodice, signature padding on the hips, and an eight-foot train. The lace-covered bodice had a plunging neckline and flowed into a full organza skirt and train. The dress also included hidden details requested by the Princess of Wales and special nods to the Middletons, her new husband, and her late grandmother-in-law, Queen Elizabeth II. The dress featured images of roses, thistles, daffodils, and shamrocks.
The construction of the dress was a secretive affair. Embroiders were not allowed to have cleaners in the room, and the door code was changed. The dress was made with 58 gazar and organza buttons. The shoes, also designed by Sarah Burton for McQueen, were made of ivory duchesse satin with lace hand-embroidered by the Royal School of Needlework.
The dress was reportedly purchased by Princess Kate's parents, Carole and Michael Middleton, for £250,000. It was on display at Buckingham Palace from July until October 2011, breaking attendance records with more than 600,000 visitors.
Princess Kate also wore a second, more comfortable wedding dress for the reception.
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Frequently asked questions
Princess Kate's wedding dress is believed to have cost her parents £250,000.
The dress was designed by Sarah Burton for Alexander McQueen.
The dress featured metres of lace, a Victorian bodice, a plunging neckline, and long sleeves, which flowed into a full organza skirt and train.
The dress was on display at Buckingham Palace from July to October 2011.
To hold the veil in place, Princess Kate wore a Cartier halo tiara borrowed from the late Queen Elizabeth.
