The 10 Hidden Details in Kate Middleton's Wedding Dress You Totally Missed
The dressmakers followed really strict rules.
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Almost exactly eight years ago, Kate Middleton stepped out of the Rolls-Royce at Westminster Abbey, revealing her Alexander McQueen wedding dress for the first time. The much anticipated (and highly secretive) design made such an impression you can still buy copycat versions of the Duchess of Cambridge's bridal gown today.
A $500 knock-off doesn't hold a candle to the real thing, however. Designed by Sarah Burton, the bridal gown cost a rumored $434,000 to make. Where did that chunk of change all go? In honor of her and Prince William's wedding anniversary on April 29, take a look back at the Duchess's wedding look below:
The hips got subtle padding.
Victorian-inspired corsetry is an Alexander McQueen signature, and Kate Middleton's gown was no exception. To accent the bodice's narrow waist, Burton added a little extra oomph below the midsection.
The underskirt didn't skimp on detail.
Burton designed the bottom of the dress to resemble an opening flower. When bridesmaid Pippa Middleton lifted her sister's train, onlookers caught a glimpse of the lace-trimmed layers of silk tulle underneath that gave the gown its shape.
The lace featured symbolic flowers.
To create the elaborate applique on the bodice, the Royal School of Needlework cut out floral patterns from long lengths of lace and then stitched them onto silk tulle. The design incorporated roses, thistles, and shamrocks, which traditionally represent England, Scotland, and Ireland, respectively. To keep the lace and threads pristine, dressmakers washed their hands every thirty minutes and renewed their needles every three hours
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The sleeves paid homage to other royals.
With a similar lace collar and long sleeves, the Duchess's outfit drew instant comparisons to Grace Kelly's iconic wedding dress, as well as the Queen's own gown and '50s bridal style in general. An official statement confirmed that Kate wished to "combine tradition and modernity with the artistic vision that characterises Alexander McQueen's work." In fact, one of the lacemakers used for Kate's gown, Solstiss, also contributed trim to Grace Kelly's wedding dress decades earlier.
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It included both white and ivory fabric.
Most brides stick to one or the other, but the Duchess's dress featured satin gazar — a smooth but stiff fabric that holds its shape — in both shades. Burton also sewed a blue ribbon on the inside of the dress for good luck.
The train stretched 9 feet long.
When you're marrying in Westminster Abbey, the dress needs to hold its own. The Duchess's skirt didn't break any royal wedding records though. Meghan Markle's veil measured a full 16 feet long, but at a whopping 25 feet long, Princess Diana's gown takes the cake!
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The Queen provided the tiara.
A "something borrowed" doesn't get better than this. The reigning monarch received the Cartier halo tiara on her 18th birthday, but her father King George VI initially purchased the piece for his wife. The delicate sparkler includes nearly 1,000 diamonds with one large, central gemstone. To keep the tiara securely fastened, hairdresser Richard Ward backcombed the top to create a foundation for the tiara to sit around, then did a tiny braid in the middle and literally sewed it on, the Telegraph reports.
And the earrings came from her parents.
The Robinson Pelham danglers took inspiration from the Middleton family crest, echoing the acorn and oak leaf motifs. Mom Carole and dad Michael gave the diamond set to their daughter as a wedding present.
RELATED: How Meghan Markle's Coat of Arms Compares to the Middletons'
The look included custom heels.
The floor-length hem didn't reveal her shoes often, but Kate Middleton didn't slip on her favorite wedges for the formal occasion. Alexander McQueen provided ivory satin heels, hand-embroidered with additional lace by the Royal School of Needlework.
Another dress debuted at the reception.
As gorgeous as her cathedral-length gown was, the newlywed didn't stay in it for long. She swapped the heavy train for another McQueen creation at the reception. The second outfit included a circle skirt with diamante detailing at the waist, topped with a shrug.
WATCH: Kate Middleton's Best Looks of All Time
Caroline is a writer and editor with almost a decade of experience. From 2015 to 2019, she held various editorial positions at Good Housekeeping, including as health editor, covering nutrition, fitness, wellness, and other lifestyle news. She's a graduate of the Medill School of Journalism and dreams of the day Northwestern will go back to the Rose Bowl.
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