Junior Rasmussen
Kate Middleton's wedding dress is one of the most famous bridal gowns in history. Designed by Sarah Burton for Alexander McQueen, the dress was widely anticipated and sparked trends in bridal fashion. The dress featured a fitted white V-neck, long lace sleeves, and a nearly nine-foot train. The lace appliqué on the skirt and bodice was handmade by the Royal School of Needlework using the traditional Carrickmacross lace-making technique. The dress is estimated to have cost $434,000 and was rumoured to have a 'something blue' sewn inside.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Wedding dress designer | Sarah Burton for Alexander McQueen |
| Wedding dress style | Fitted white V-neck gown with a long-sleeved lace overlay |
| Wedding dress inspiration | The United Kingdom, through its lace embroidery |
| Wedding dress cost | $434,000 |
| Wedding date | April 29, 2011 |
| Wedding location | Westminster Abbey |
| Groom | Prince William |
| Second wedding dress designer | Sarah Burton for Alexander McQueen |
| Second wedding dress style | Strapless satin gown with a diamante belt and a white shrug |
| Something blue | Sewn into her wedding gown |
| Tiara | Cartier Halo tiara, also known as the Cartier Scroll tiara |
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What You'll Learn
Kate Middleton's wedding dress designer
The now Princess of Wales, Kate Middleton, wore an iconic wedding dress when she married Prince William at Westminster Abbey on 29 April 2011. The dress was designed by Sarah Burton for luxury fashion house Alexander McQueen.
Kate chose the British brand for its "beauty of its craftsmanship and its respect for traditional workmanship and the technical construction of clothing". The dress combined "tradition and modernity with the artistic vision that characterizes Alexander McQueen's work".
The gown featured a Victorian-style padded bodice, inspired by the tradition of corsetry, and long lace sleeves. The lace appliqué on the skirt and bodice was handmade by the Royal School of Needlework, based at Hampton Court Palace. The lace flowers, including roses, thistles, daffodils, and shamrocks, were individually hand-cut and added to an ivory silk tulle. The lace was created using the Carrickmacross lace-making technique, which originated in Ireland in the 1820s. The train, which stretched for nearly nine feet, was designed to echo an opening flower with white satin gazar arches and pleats.
Kate's second wedding dress for the evening reception was also designed by Sarah Burton at Alexander McQueen. It was a white strapless satin gown with detailing at the waist, paired with a white shrug.
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The dress's design and craftsmanship
The dress worn by Kate Middleton at her wedding to Prince William on 29 April 2011 was designed by Sarah Burton, the creative director of Alexander McQueen. The dress was noted for its design, symbolism, and expected influence on Western bridal gown trends. It was widely anticipated and generated much comment in the media. Replicas of the dress were produced and sold, and the original dress was displayed at Buckingham Palace from 23 July 2011 until 3 October 2011.
The gown featured a fitted white V-neck with a long-sleeved lace overlay. The bodice was inspired by the Victorian tradition of corsetry, narrowing at the waist and padded slightly at the hips. The lace appliqué on the skirt and bodice was handmade by the Royal School of Needlework, based at Hampton Court Palace. The dressmakers used the Carrickmacross lace-making technique, which originated in Ireland in the 1820s. Hand-cut lace flowers, including roses, thistles, daffodils, and shamrocks, were individually crafted and added to ivory silk tulle. The bodice, skirt, and underskirt trim were created from English and French Chantilly lace. The French Chantilly lace was the only fabric not sourced from a British company.
The team of seamstresses working on the gown washed their hands every 30 minutes to protect the pristine lace and threads. Needles were replaced every few hours to ensure they were sharp and clean. The skirt was designed to echo an opening flower, with white satin gazar arches and pleats that pooled into a train measuring 2.7 metres (almost 9 feet). The back of the gown featured gazar and organza-covered buttons, fastened by Rouleau loops.
Kate's second wedding dress, worn at the evening reception at Buckingham Palace, was also designed by Sarah Burton. It was a strapless satin gown with a sweetheart neckline, a diamante belt, and a white shrug.
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The dress's iconic status
The wedding dress worn by Catherine Middleton at her wedding to Prince William on April 29, 2011, has achieved iconic status. The dress was designed by Sarah Burton for Alexander McQueen, and the Duchess worked closely with Burton on the design. The gown was widely anticipated and generated much comment in the media, with bookmakers taking wagers on the designer in the lead-up to the wedding. The dress has since influenced bridal gown trends and inspired many celebrity copycats.
The dress was widely praised for its craftsmanship and respect for traditional workmanship. The lace appliqué on the skirt and bodice of the dress was handmade by the Royal School of Needlework, using the Carrickmacross lace-making technique, which originated in Ireland in the 1800s. The dress featured a floral motif commemorating Great Britain, with hand-cut lace flowers, including roses, thistles, daffodils, and shamrocks, individually added to ivory silk tulle. The bodice was inspired by the Victorian tradition of corsetry, narrowing at the waist and padded. The skirt was made of ivory and white satin gazar, designed to echo an opening flower, with arches and pleats that pooled into a nearly nine-foot-long train.
The choice of designer was considered unexpected, as McQueen had a reputation for controversy. However, Kate appreciated the brand's craftsmanship and tailoring and worked effectively with Burton to create a beautiful gown that combined tradition and modernity. The dress has been described as a clever mix of edgy fashion and tradition, with references to Grace Kelly, Queen Elizabeth, and Princess Margaret's dresses but in a simpler, more modern way.
The dress has sparked a trend for long sleeves and influenced wedding fashion in the years following the royal wedding. It has been named one of the most popular wedding dresses of the decade and continues to inspire replicas over a decade later. The original dress was displayed at Buckingham Palace, breaking royal records and further cementing its iconic status.
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The dress's influence on bridal trends
Kate Middleton's wedding dress, designed by Sarah Burton for Alexander McQueen, has had a lasting impact on bridal trends. The dress was a fitted white V-neck gown with a long-sleeved lace overlay and a nearly nine-foot-long train. The lace appliqué on the skirt and bodice was handmade by the Royal School of Needlework using the 19th-century Carrickmacross lace-making technique.
The choice of designer and the dress's combination of tradition and modernity reflected the monarchy's next era, with Kate and her now-husband Prince William representing a fresh start for the royal family. The dress's timeless design and elegance have made it a popular source of style inspiration for brides-to-be, even a decade after the wedding.
The bridal landscape still feels the ripple effect of Kate's wedding look, with many brides seeking to capture the "big wedding moment" that her dress represented. The dress's romantic and elegant style, with its long lace sleeves and A-line silhouette, has particularly left a long-lasting impression on brides.
Kate's choice to deliberately opt for a dress with a low back to show the scar from scoliosis surgery at the age of 12 was also a powerful moment that has influenced brides. Additionally, the dress's satin fabric and the bridesmaid dresses, notably Pippa Middleton's bespoke figure-flattering gown, have also had an impact on bridal trends.
The influence of Kate's wedding dress extends beyond the dress itself, as her second dress for the evening reception and her sister Pippa's bridesmaid dress, both designed by Sarah Burton, have also left an impression on bridal styles. The second dress, a white strapless satin gown with a sweetheart neckline, crystal-embellished belt, and a soft mohair shrug, showcases the versatility and timelessness of Kate's wedding fashion choices.
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The dress's cost
The cost of Kate Middleton's wedding dress is a matter of public interest, with many wanting to know the price tag of one of the most famous wedding dresses in history. The dress, designed by Sarah Burton for Alexander McQueen, was reportedly valued at $434,000 at the time of the royal wedding in 2011. When adjusted for inflation, the cost of the gown is equivalent to $617,000 today.
The intricate design and craftsmanship of the dress certainly justify its high price. The gown featured a full organza skirt, a long-sleeve lace bodice, and a plunging neckline, adorned with lace flowers, including roses, thistles, daffodils, and shamrocks, individually cut out and stitched onto ivory silk tulle. The lace appliqué on the skirt and bodice was handmade by the Royal School of Needlework, using the traditional Carrickmacross lace-making technique. The team of seamstresses working on the dress washed their hands every 30 minutes to protect the pristine lace and threads.
The choice of designer was kept under wraps until the morning of the wedding, with Burton's name officially revealed as the designer of the princess's wedding gown. Kate Middleton, now the Princess of Wales, chose the British fashion house for its craftsmanship, respect for traditional workmanship, and technical construction. The dress combined tradition and modernity, reflecting the artistic vision characteristic of Alexander McQueen.
The gown's timeless design and cultural impact further contribute to its value. The dress set global trends for brides-to-be, with women around the world copying Kate's bridal style. H&M even created an affordable version of the gown, making it accessible to a wider audience. The original dress was displayed at Buckingham Palace, attracting visitors eager to catch a glimpse of the iconic wedding dress.
While the cost of Kate Middleton's wedding dress is substantial, it is not the most expensive royal wedding gown in history. That title belongs to Queen Letizia of Spain, whose wedding dress cost a whopping $8 million, 18 times more than Kate's dress.
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Frequently asked questions
Kate Middleton's wedding dress was designed by Sarah Burton for Alexander McQueen.
The dress was an ivory and white satin gazar skirt made to resemble the opening of a flower, with a fitted white V-neck, long-sleeved lace overlay, and a nearly nine-foot-long train.
The dress was designed to combine tradition and modernity, with the artistic vision that characterises Alexander McQueen's work. The lace appliqué on the skirt and bodice of the dress was handmade by the Royal School of Needlework, using the Carrickmacross lace-making technique.
Kate Middleton wore the Cartier Halo tiara, also known as the Cartier Scroll tiara, which was purchased by King George VI for the Queen Mother in 1936. She also wore a veil, which was noted by Karl Lagerfeld as "very pretty".
Yes, Kate Middleton changed into a second dress for her wedding reception at Buckingham Palace. The second dress was a strapless satin gown with a diamante belt and a white shrug.
