Kate Middleton’s beautiful dress drew a huge amount of attention from royal fans, but many didn’t spot a secret hidden in the stunning garment
This weekend marks the 12th anniversary of the marriage of the Prince and Princess of Wales, who will be commemorating their ‘silk’ wedding anniversary. The world watched in awe as Prince William and Kate Middleton exchanged vows in a stunning ceremony held at Westminster Abbey on April 29, 2011.
While all eyes were on Kate’s breathtaking dress, many royal enthusiasts were unaware of the secret incorporated into the beautiful garment. Following the age-old bridal tradition of “something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue,” Kate ensured that her wedding dress embodied each element.
To represent the “something old” tradition, Kate’s wedding gown featured a delicate lace technique dating back to the 1800s.
The creation of Kate’s stunning wedding dress was a labor of love by designer Sarah Burton of Alexander McQueen. The gown was crafted using the traditional Carrickmacross craftsmanship, and the “something blue” tradition was incorporated into the design through a subtle blue ribbon.
Despite Kate’s attempts to keep the designer’s identity under wraps until the wedding day, the name of Sarah Burton was leaked prior to the ceremony. This caused much consternation, as the secrecy surrounding the designer had been a source of much speculation and anticipation among fans of the royal family.
Speaking on Channel 5 documentary Secrets of the Royal Dressmakers, royal expert Katie Nicholl discussed how much this upset the future Duchess of Cambridge.
She said: “Behind the scenes I think that caused tears at the Palace because Kate had done everything she could to keep the wedding dress a secret.”
Her something borrowed was a sparkling diamond tiara from Prince William’s grandmother the Queen, the 1936 Cartier “halo”. The Queen loaning the bride a tiara is a tradition of royal weddings