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Princess Kate's wedding dress, designed by Sarah Burton for Alexander McQueen, has become one of the most iconic gowns in history. The dress, which reportedly cost £250,000, featured a V-neck, long lace sleeves, a fitted Victorian bodice, signature padding on the hips, and an eight-foot train. The gown was on display at Buckingham Palace from July to October 2011, attracting over 600,000 visitors.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Designer | Sarah Burton |
| Fashion House | Alexander McQueen |
| Cost | £250,000 |
| Year | 2011 |
| Date | 29 April |
| Location | Westminster Abbey |
| Groom | Prince William |
| Bride | Kate Middleton |
| Parents of Bride | Carole and Michael Middleton |
| Parents' Wedding Gift | Robinson Pelham earrings |
| Tiara | Cartier halo tiara |
| Veil | Held in place by Cartier halo tiara |
| Bouquet | Designed by Shane Connolly |
| Displayed | Buckingham Palace |
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What You'll Learn
Kate Middleton's wedding dress cost
Princess Kate's wedding dress, designed by Sarah Burton for Alexander McQueen, is one of the most iconic gowns in history. The dress featured handmade lace, 58 gazar and organza buttons, and a nearly 9-foot train. It also included a V-neck, long lace sleeves, a fitted Victorian bodice, signature padding on the hips, and an eight-foot train. 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 a major financial investment for Kate's parents, Carole and Michael Middleton, who reportedly paid £250,000 for it. This amount is equivalent to approximately $332,000. The dress was later put on display at Buckingham Palace from July until October 2011, attracting a record number of visitors.
While Princess Kate's wedding dress was certainly expensive, it was not the most costly royal bridal gown. That distinction belongs to European royal Queen Letizia of Spain, whose wedding dress in 2004 was worth £6 million.
The pressure of choosing a wedding dress that would be scrutinized by the world was immense, but Princess Kate's choice of the Alexander McQueen gown designed by Sarah Burton has become a timeless and iconic symbol of her special day.
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Sarah Burton's design
Sarah Burton, the designer behind Princess Kate's wedding dress, is a British fashion designer and the former creative director of the luxury fashion house Alexander McQueen. Burton had led the fashion house since 2010 and previously worked with the brand's founder, Lee Alexander McQueen, for 14 years.
Burton's design for Princess Kate's wedding dress is often named as one of the most popular styles favoured by brides worldwide. The dress itself featured a V-neck, long lace sleeves, a fitted Victorian bodice, signature padding on the hips, and an eight-foot train. The gown's design drew on various historical references, including Victorian corsetry and the arts and crafts movement. Burton wanted to create something that was "incredibly beautiful" and that looked to both the past and the future.
The dress was kept under wraps before the wedding but was leaked ahead of the big day, causing Princess Kate to be left in tears. The dress was reportedly a major financial investment for Princess Kate's parents, Carole and Michael Middleton, who footed the bill. While the exact cost of the dress is not publicly known, it is estimated that the Middletons invested £250,000 in the elegant lace gown.
Following Princess Kate and Prince William's wedding in 2011, the dress went on display at Buckingham Palace from July until October of the same year. The display broke attendance records, with more than 600,000 people paying £17.50 each to see the gown. After the exhibition, it is believed that the dress was put into storage as part of the Royal Collection.
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Alexander McQueen gown
The Alexander McQueen wedding gown worn by Kate Middleton for her marriage to Prince William in 2011 was designed by Sarah Burton, the creative director for the luxury fashion house. The dress featured a V-neck, long lace sleeves, a fitted Victorian bodice, signature padding on the hips, and an eight-foot train. The design incorporated Victorian corsetry, with a tiny cinched-in waist and a padded hip, as well as intricate lacework on the bodice and train. The gown reportedly cost $434,000, or £250,000, and was considered a major financial investment for Kate's parents, who paid for the dress.
The dress was kept under wraps before the wedding but was leaked ahead of the big day, causing Kate to be upset. Despite this, the gown became one of the most iconic wedding dresses in history, with H&M even releasing an affordable version. The original dress went on display at Buckingham Palace from July to October 2011, attracting over 600,000 visitors and breaking attendance records.
The collaboration between Kate and Alexander McQueen continued beyond the wedding gown, with Kate frequently choosing the label for various occasions, including red carpet events, state visits, and royal engagements. The relationship has lasted over a decade, with Kate often wearing McQueen designs on memorable occasions, such as her first public engagement after chemotherapy.
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The dress on display
Princess Kate's wedding dress, designed by Sarah Burton of Alexander McQueen, was put on display at Buckingham Palace from 22 or 23 July to 3 October 2011 as part of the annual summer exhibition. The late Queen Elizabeth II viewed the dress at a sneak preview before it was opened to the public. The display broke attendance records, with over 600,000 people paying £17.50 each to see it.
The dress was reportedly purchased by Kate's parents, Carole and Michael Middleton, for £250,000. It was widely anticipated and generated much comment in the media from fashion experts, who noted that the design was largely traditional and inspired by dresses from the 1950s. The lace bodice of Middleton's dress, in particular, echoed that worn by Grace Kelly for her marriage to Rainier III, Prince of Monaco, in 1956.
The dress featured a V-neck, long lace sleeves, a fitted Victorian bodice, signature padding on the hips, and an eight-foot train. It was made using a modern take on the traditional Carrickmacross lace technique, with floral motifs cut out of lengths of lace produced on large 19th-century machines and stitched to machine net. The lace was chosen from stock patterns, with the majority of the dress made using Solstiss lace, specifically for the skirt and train.
The team of seamstresses working on the dress washed their hands every 30 minutes to protect the brilliance of the pristine lace and threads. They also sewed a blue ribbon into the interior of the dress to serve as Kate's "something blue" on her wedding day.
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The dress's iconic status
The wedding dress of Kate Middleton, now the Princess of Wales, has achieved iconic status in the world of fashion and royal weddings. The dress, designed by Sarah Burton at Alexander McQueen, was revealed to the public on April 29, 2011, when Kate married Prince William at Westminster Abbey. The dress is estimated to have cost around £250,000, although some reports suggest it could have been even higher. The dress's iconic status is undeniable and can be attributed to several factors.
The design of the dress was a key contributor to its iconic status. The ivory satin bodice featured a narrow waist, a high neckline, and an emphasis on delicate lace. The lace appliqué on the bodice and skirt was intricate and exquisite, featuring handmade lace from the Royal School of Needlework. The design paid homage to traditional Victorian tradition and the history of the royal family while remaining modern and elegant. The dress's silhouette was flattering and timeless, with a full skirt, long train, and delicate veil, creating a romantic and regal look.
The dress also became iconic due to the influence it had on bridal fashion and the wider fashion industry. The choice of designer, Alexander McQueen, was a significant departure from traditional royal wedding dress choices, which often favoured classic and established designers. Burton's design for Kate combined modernity and tradition, sparking a trend for more contemporary and unique wedding dress choices. The dress's intricate lace and ivory satin inspired a wave of similar designs, with many brides opting for a more intricate and detailed look for their wedding gowns.
Additionally, the royal wedding itself was a highly publicised and globally watched event, which contributed to the dress's iconic status. The wedding was a grand affair, with an estimated two billion people tuning in worldwide. The dress was revealed in all its glory as Kate stepped out of the car at Westminster Abbey, and the world was captivated by the stunning design. The media coverage and public interest in the wedding, and subsequently the dress, ensured its place in fashion history.
The dress has also become a symbol of Kate's personal style and elegance, and it has come to represent her public image. Known for her classic and sophisticated fashion sense, the wedding dress embodied these traits and showcased Kate's ability to balance tradition and modernity. The dress has become synonymous with her name, and it continues to be referenced and inspire new bridal trends, solidifying its iconic status.
Lastly, the dress holds a special place in the history of British royalty and culture. As a future queen consort, Kate's wedding dress will always be remembered and referenced alongside other iconic royal wedding dresses, such as that of Princess Diana. The dress represents a moment in time where fairytales and traditions collided, capturing the public's imagination and cementing its place as an iconic symbol of British royal heritage.
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Frequently asked questions
The dress cost an estimated £250,000.
Princess Kate's parents, Carole and Michael Middleton, paid for the dress.
The dress was designed by Sarah Burton for 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.
