Princess of Wales Kate Middleton and Prince William officially wed on April 29, 2011. All eyes were on Princess Kate Middleton’s wedding gown, a Sarah Burton original for Alexander McQueen.
The royal wedding dress made its first global appearance that day and captivated the world. Now in an exclusive spotlight feature, we take a closer look at the dress and the lovely royal story behind it.
A Timeless Classic Royal Wedding Dress
Alexander McQueen fashion house designer Sarah Burton already had a royal reputation before designing Catherine, Princess of Wales’ wedding gown.
In 2005, the future Ducchess of Cambridge attended the wedding of fashion journo Sara Buys to Tom Parker Bowles, the son of future Queen Camilla. The bride was wearing her Sarah Burton-designed dress, a mermaid-silhouette satin wedding gown that impressed the Princess. It also had a tulle underskirt paired with a floor-length embroidered lace veil.
Known for collaborating directly with designers, the Princess soon had her eye on Burton’s craftsmanship and expertise in luxury wedding gowns. Although there were other top designers considered for the job, the designer’s previous work were more impressive, ultimately making her the only option considered.
When planning her wedding gown in 2011, Kate collaborated with the top gown designer of England for a simple but unforgettable wedding dress. It featured traditional gown designs with added modern features.
The wedding gown featured a V-neck ivory satin bodice and illusion lace long sleeves. The lace patterns were named after Kate, nicknamed “Kate’s Lace”, and custom designed just for the Princess.
The dress had paddings installed at the hips, which were narrow on the waist and had a ball gown skirt shape, well-known Victorian dress stylings. Beautiful lace appliques layer over the tulle skirt and its Chapel train.
By 2022, the Princess again commissioned Burton to create three beautiful custom gowns for her 40th birthday. One was a Grace Kelly-inspired dress, featuring a balloon sleeve. There was also a gold James Bond-inspired cocktail dress and a white, cloud-like ruffled tulle dress.
What Much does the Royal Wedding Dress Cost?
In 2011, Duchess of Cambridge’s wedding dress cost an estimated $330,000 to $350,000. However, this was just the base value, the initial pricing of an otherwise historical dress that is equivalent to a museum piece. It’s now considered a priceless dress and a culturally important item.
Much of the wedding dress featured intricate, expert handiwork that increased its value. The ball gown and V-neck bodice comes adorned with the special custom Kate Lace, creating an illusion top and lace collar with lace sleeves.
The Princess’ accessories were a royal match to the lovely wedding gown. The first was the equally historical 12-carat blue sapphire engagement ring, which was first given by then Prince Charles to Lady Diana. Then there’s the iconic 18-karat white gold Cartier tiara they borrowed from her mother-in-law, Queen Elizabeth.
The dress incorporated royal designs that represented the four regions of the United Kingdom. Sarah Burton had these symbols woven into the tulle layer. The four symbols were the rose, thistle, daffodil, and shamrock.
The veil was also a lovely partner and attachment to ther heirloom Cartier tiara, which has 888 square and round cut diamonds. The Royal School of Needlework took care of the construction of these delicate designs, including the lace adornments on her white satin pumps.
Princess Kate and Prince William’s Decades-Long Love Story
Kate and William first met as students in the University of St. Andrews in 2001. The couple soon bonded over common interests they had, such as sports, photography, the arts, and the outdoor life.
In 2002, the couple moved in with two of their campus friends in a 4-bedroom apartment. The couple became closer, while keeping their relationship discreet.
However, paparazzi and members of the press followed them closely. Soon, photos of them together such as a skiing vacation in Switzerland confirmed their budding romance. They announced their relationship on April 1, 2004.
The royal couple have had their share of relationship ups and downs. A well-publicized split in 2007 happened, which led to them working out their personal issues. Queen Elizabeth adviced her son to have faith in their relationship and encourage them to talk things out.
Kate and William fixed their issues over time, appearing together in public over a year later at the tribute concert for Princess Diana at Wembley Stadium. She was also there to celebrate with him at the private royal reception for Prince William’s graduation day from the Royal Air Force.
On October 10, 2010, William proposed to Kate in Kenya, while on vacation. It was one of their favorite places. He presented her with the heirloom sapphire and diamond ring that once belonged to Princess Diana, and Kate accepted the proposal right away.
Buy Similar Wedding Dresses
The timeless and iconic quality of Princess Kate Middleton’s wedding gown is well known worldwide. You can achieve the same look and design however, without needing to spend the same expensive price tag.
Here are The Wedding Scoop’s top dress recommendations.
This lace and chiffon wedding dress by Find Love Wedding possesses a similar look as the original, and looks just as lovely. The dipped V-neckline with silk bodice and illusion lace long sleeves recreate the classic Royal wedding look. It also has a sexy backless design with a corset top, plus its layered tulle skirt and Chapel train.
Next on our recommended list is this adorable wedding dress by Youjiayi. While available in different colors, the white and ivory versions are the closest to looking like Catherine, The Princess of Wales on her wedding day.
This dress features a sweetheart neckline and illusion lace long sleeves and a low backline. The grand and pleated skirt commands elegance, with its wide Cathedral train.
This other variation of the royal wedding dress by Miao Duo retains the dipped V-neckline and low back with a more slightly closed top shoulders with the illusion 3/4ths lace sleeves. The lace branches out all over the bodice and on top of the waistline, gradually dispersing at the A-Line skirt and sweep train.
JJ’s House presents a simple princess-style ball gown variation dress, with more slightly covered shoulder tops, 3/4ths lace sleeves, and an illusion backline. A simple, accented silver beltline accentuates the A-Line skirt and sweep train. The beautiful lace appliques scatter all over the skirt in a dazling array.
Our last entry from Celebrity Dresses is a stunning luxury royal wedding gown that has more closed-in shoulder tops with the illusion lace sleeves and low backline, paired with a sweetheart neckline and close-cropped V-neckline. This variation however, boasts of a Royal train that dominates the surrounding space and creates a huge commanding, yet5 lovely royal presence. It’s an astounding piece of work.
Reach Out to Us!
Are you inspired by the Princess’s lovely royal wedding gown? Are you looking for a similar dress that has the same royal features and designs?
Ther Wedding Scoop can help you pick familiar wedding dress designs that capture its look, feel, and vibe. Get in touch with us today for more details.
