When Kate Middleton stepped out of the Rolls-Royce at Westminster Abbey, everyone gasped at her Alexander McQueen gown. In fact, this dress became so famous that you can buy fakes to this day!
However, this isn’t the only royal dress that turned heads! Just about every royal wedding dress deserves its own spotlight. Today, we’re going to talk about all those little details you might not notice at first glance and the meaning behind them. There’s so much more than meets the eye!
Padded Hips
Padded Hips
Let’s start off with none other than the Duchess of Cambridge herself: Kate Middleton. Her wedding dress was absolutely iconic!
The designer added some extra padding around the hips, below the mid-section. This was done in order to accentuate the bodice’s tiny waist and give it a Victorian feel. In fact, this little detail has become Alexander McQueen’s signature with his designs back in the 1990s.
Detailed Underskirt
Detailed Underskirt
The dress’s skirt was specifically designed to look like an opening flower. Onlookers were able to get a glimpse of the layers of silk tulle when bridesmaid, Pippa Middleton lifted her sister’s train.
How incredible is that?
Something Borrowed
Something Borrowed
The Queen got the Cartier halo tiara on her 18th birthday in 1936. It includes almost 1,000 diamonds. This is the ultimate “something borrowed” if you ask us! This tiara is also known as the Cartier Scroll tiara.
Homage
Homage
Kate’s sleeves actually paid homage to other royals. Her dress was immediately compared to Grace Kelly’s dress thanks to the lace sleeves and collar. On top of that, the dress was compared to Queen Elizabeth’s own dress.
Kate wanted to “combine tradition and modernity with the artistic vision that characterizes Alexander McQueen’s work.”
White And Ivory
White And Ivory
Kate’s dress wasn’t just one color. While most brides stick to one or the other, Kate went with two colors: white and ivory. Her dress included satin gazar – which is a smooth but stiff fabric – in both shades.
To top it off, a blue ribbon was sewn into the inside of the dress for good luck! However, that’s not all.
Delicate Flowers
Delicate Flowers
The lace on Kate’s dress features lots of delicate hand-cut flowers. From shamrocks to roses, and thistles. This represented England, Scotland, and Ireland. Not only that, but the lace was all handmade by the Royal School of Needlework.
The dressmakers used the Carrickmacross lace-making technique that originated in Ireland in the 1820s.
The Earrings
The Earrings
The earrings Kate wore on her wedding day actually came from her parents. They gave them to her as a wedding gift. They even resemble the Middleton coat of arms! The Robinson Pelham earrings featured an acorn in the middle.
Custom Heels
Custom Heels
While we didn’t get to see much of them at the wedding, Kate’s heels were a gorgeous ivory satin with embroidered flowers. Alexander McQueen provided these stunning satin heels.
Of course, they were hand-embroidered by the Royal School of Needlework as well.
