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Kate Middleton, the Duchess of Cambridge, caused a stir on social media when she wore a white dress to Meghan Markle and Prince Harry's wedding. This was not the first time Kate had worn the Alexander McQueen coat dress, and some people interpreted this as a slight against the bride and groom. However, others saw it as an act of deference, suggesting that Kate chose a dress that had been widely photographed before to avoid stealing the spotlight. Etiquette experts also weighed in, noting that wearing white with the bride's approval is becoming more common, and that the royal family is unlikely to have made a mistake when it comes to decorum.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name of the person who wore a white dress | Kate Middleton, Duchess of Cambridge |
| Occasion | Wedding of Meghan Markle and Prince Harry |
| Color of the dress | White, off-white, cream, or primrose yellow |
| Designer of the dress | Alexander McQueen |
| Etiquette of wearing white to a wedding | Generally considered a faux pas, but acceptable with the bride's approval |
| Reason for wearing a white dress | To keep things simple and the attention on the happy couple |
| Previous occasions where the dress was worn | Charlotte's christening and the Queen's birthday |
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What You'll Learn
Kate's dress was off-white, not bridal white
Kate Middleton, the Duchess of Cambridge, wore an off-white dress to Meghan Markle and Prince Harry's wedding. It was an Alexander McQueen coat dress that she had worn twice before. The official description from the palace was "primrose yellow", but on television and in photographs, her dress appeared more cream or off-white. It was definitely not a bright, bridal white.
Wearing white to weddings is generally considered a major no-no, but there are some nuances to this. Peggy Post, granddaughter-in-law of famed etiquette expert Emily Post, wrote in the New York Times that "today, wedding guests can wear cream—or white for that matter—as long as the outfit doesn’t say ‘bride.’” It is also becoming more commonplace to have your bridal party wear white, and this is seen more often in the UK.
In the case of Kate Middleton, it is highly unlikely that her outfit choice was not approved by both the Queen and Meghan Markle. Every detail of the royal wedding was scripted, and it is rumoured that Kate avoids other weddings to avoid causing a stir. Her choice to re-wear a dress that had been widely photographed on two other important occasions was likely a deliberate choice to keep the attention off herself and on the happy couple.
In addition, the rest of Kate's look was toned down. Instead of borrowing jewellery from the Queen's collection, she wore a ring she had been spotted wearing since 2008, three years before she married William. Overall, her outfit choice was likely an act of deference to the bride and an effort to avoid stealing the spotlight.
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It's acceptable for guests to wear white with the bride's approval
It is generally frowned upon for guests to wear white to a wedding, as it is often considered the bride's colour for the day. However, some people believe that it is acceptable for guests to wear white with the bride's approval.
Peggy Post, granddaughter-in-law of the famed etiquette expert Emily Post and author of several books on etiquette, agrees that "wedding guests can wear cream—or white for that matter—as long as the outfit doesn’t say 'bride'". Wedding planner and event designer Jung Lee also agrees that "guests can wear white if the couple has stated so on the invitation, wedding website, or through direct communication".
Some brides are choosing to flip tradition on its head and request that their guests wear white. This can be a fun idea and can make for striking photos, especially for destination weddings with a beach setting. In these cases, wearing white is acceptable as long as the couple has specifically requested it.
It is important to note that even if the bride has approved guests wearing white, it is still essential to ensure that the outfit does not resemble a wedding gown. Guests should opt for breezy, casual silhouettes rather than anything overly formal or bridal-inspired. Knee-length gowns that include white elements as part of a larger pattern are usually acceptable, as are colourful cocktail dresses with a white lace overlay or a white shrug.
In the case of Kate Middleton, who wore a white dress to Meghan Markle and Prince Harry's wedding, it is believed that her outfit choice was approved by the Queen and Meghan. The dress was described by the palace as "primrose yellow", although it appeared more cream or off-white in photographs. Regardless of the exact shade, Kate's dress was not a bright, bridal white, and it is unlikely that she intended to upstage the bride.
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Kate's dress was an Alexander McQueen coat dress
Kate Middleton's dress at Meghan Markle and Prince Harry's wedding was an Alexander McQueen coat dress. This was not the first time that Kate had worn the dress, as she was wearing it for the fourth time, having previously worn it to Trooping the Colour in June and the Gentleman's Singles Championship Match during Wimbledon in July.
The Alexander McQueen label is a favourite of Kate's, as she has been seen wearing or carrying an item by the brand at almost every public engagement. The brand is also significant to Kate as her wedding dress was designed by Sarah Burton of Alexander McQueen.
Kate's decision to wear a recycled outfit to the wedding may have been a way to avoid stealing the spotlight from the bride and groom. It has been noted that Kate is aware of her spotlight-stealing nature, which is why she was not the matron of honour at her sister Pippa's wedding.
The colour of Kate's dress was described as "primrose yellow" by the palace, although some have argued that it appeared more cream or off-white in photographs and on television. Regardless of the exact shade, it is becoming more commonplace for bridal parties and guests to wear white to weddings, especially in the UK.
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Kate recycled the dress for the third or fourth time
Kate Middleton recycled her Alexander McQueen coat dress to attend Meghan Markle and Prince Harry's wedding. This was the third or fourth time she had worn the dress. She first wore it to her daughter Charlotte's christening and then to the Queen's birthday. The dress was described as "primrose yellow" by the palace, although it appeared cream or off-white in photographs and on television.
Some people on social media criticised Kate for wearing the dress for the fourth time, suggesting that it was a slight against the bride and groom. However, others interpreted it as an act of deference, ensuring that the focus remained on the happy couple. One person on Twitter commented, "Truly the nicest gesture she could show her now sister-in-law. Absolutely nothing to see here! Focus on the bride!"
It is worth noting that Kate is known for her impeccable royal style, and her choice of outfit was likely approved by both the Queen and Meghan ahead of time. Additionally, having bridal party members wear white is becoming more commonplace, and it is acceptable for wedding guests to wear cream or white as long as the outfit does not resemble a wedding gown.
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The dress was previously worn to Charlotte's christening and the Queen's birthday
The Duchess of Cambridge, Kate Middleton, wore an off-white dress to Meghan Markle and Prince Harry's wedding. This was not the first time the Duchess was seen in the dress. In fact, she had previously worn the Alexander McQueen coat dress to Princess Charlotte's christening and the Queen's birthday.
The Duchess of Cambridge is known for her impeccable royal style. However, her choice of an off-white dress for the royal wedding sparked some controversy. While some considered it a major wedding guest fashion faux pas, others defended her choice, noting that the dress was not bright bridal white, but rather a primrose yellow or cream colour.
Etiquette experts also weighed in on the discussion, explaining that wearing white to a wedding is generally acceptable as long as the outfit does not resemble a bridal gown. Additionally, it is believed that the Duchess's outfit choice would have been approved by both the Queen and Meghan Markle, as every detail of the royal wedding was carefully scripted.
By choosing to wear a dress she had previously worn to significant events, the Duchess of Cambridge may have been aiming to keep the focus on the happy couple and avoid stealing the spotlight. This interpretation is supported by the fact that the Duchess recycled the Alexander McQueen dress for the third time, toning down her look with jewellery she had worn prior to her marriage to Prince William.
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Frequently asked questions
Kate wore an off-white dress to Meghan Markle and Prince Harry's wedding, which was not a bridal white. It was a deliberate choice to keep the attention off herself and on the happy couple.
The official description from the palace was "primrose yellow", but on television and in photographs, her dress appeared more cream or off-white.
Wedding guests can wear cream or white as long as the outfit does not resemble a bridal gown. It is also acceptable for bridal parties to wear white, as long as the bride has approved.
No, but her sister, Pippa Middleton, did.
