Royal wedding gown: Kate stirs with flying colors

Modern traditional

I’m excited to share you very intricate details that came out as soon as the former Catherine ‘Kate’ Middleton stepped out of her vintage Rolls Royce Phantom bridal car: the story of her wedding dress. Yes, I know you saw it already. But let me divulge you more facts that made THE dress extra special.

Kate Middleton in an Alexander McQueen wedding gown designed by Sarah Burton--photo courtesy of telegraph.co.uk

I’m sure you all know by now that that much-anticipated wedding gown is by Sarah Burton. The gown is strictly made ‘Best of British’ following the precedence of Queen Victoria’s wish way back in 1840. Meaning, from materials to craftsmanship was all the best of tradition, heritage and resources of Britain.

So let me elaborate.

The strapless Victorian-style gown was exquisitely hand-embroidered. Its main body was made with ivory and white satin gazar, with individually hand-cut and embroidered flower lace appliqué representing the rose, thistle, daffodil and shamrock. Its high-neck low décolletage, long-sleeved, sculpted bodice was made of English Cluny and French Chantilly laces. The lace was also used to trim the skirt, as well as the veil, which was made in layers of ivory silk tulle, and the ivory duchesse satin shoes. By the way, the English Cluny lace used for this gown was hand-worked in the Carrickmacross way –a tradition which originated in Ireland in the 1820′s.

Kate Middleton stepping out of her vintage Rolls Royce Phantom bridal car. --telegraph.co.uk photo

The intricate bodice goes with a long, full skirt with soft pleats unfolding to the floor, forming a Victorian-style semi-bustle at the back, and finishing in a short train of just under three meters.

Kate Middleton's tiara lent to her by the Queen Mother Elizabeth II--Getty Image photo

Kate’s veil was held in place by a Cartier ‘halo’ tiara which was loaned to her by Queen Mother, Elizabeth II. The bride’s earrings of diamond-set oak leaves with a pavé diamond acorn in the centre, were inspired by the Middleton family’s new coat of arms, and made by Robinson Pelham, to go with the tiara.

Kate Middleton’s diamond earrings by Robinson Pelham Jewellers--photo courtesy of Robinson Pelham

The creator: Sarah Burton is a resident designer of Britain’s most famous fashion house established by the late Lee Alexander McQueen circa 1969. Sarah specially sourced these UK materials herself; and was hands-on up to the last minute. “It has been the experience of a lifetime to work with Catherine Middleton, to create her wedding dress, and I have enjoyed every minute of it,” telegraph.co.uk quoted Sarah Burton as saying.

And still according to telegraph.co.uk, the Royal School of Needlework worked closely with the Alexander McQueen atelier team, wherein the hand-stitchers washed their hands every thirty minutes to keep the lace and threads pristine, and changing the needles every three hours. Now that’s what I call meticulous.

File photo of Sarah Burton of Alexander McQueen fashion house, Kate Middleton's wedding gown designer--telegraph.co.uk photo

Now Catherine the Duchess of Cambridge, she carried this small bouquet of flowers which bore a secret love message to her future husband. And whether the missive will be revealed to us sooner or later, let me just give you the message of the flowers of her bouquet. Designed by Shane Connolly, it featured blooms of significance to both families: Lily-of-the-valley, meaning the return of happiness; Sweet William – for gallantry; hyacinth – for faithfulness and or loyalty of love; ivy which signifies fidelity, marriage, wedded love, friendship and affection; and myrtle – the emblem of marriage and love.

The myrtle stems reminisce royal wedding history, and came from the evergreen shrub planted at Osborne House, Isle of Wight, by Queen Victoria in 1845, while another sprig was from a plant grown from the myrtle used in the Queen’s wedding bouquet of 1947.