Royal expert tells of Kate’s ‘tears at the Palace’ after her wedding day secret was discovered – and then broadcast to the nation
- The anniversary of Kate and William’s wedding is on April 29
- She had wanted to keep some crucial details private until the big day
The world watched as the future Queen stepped out of a Rolls Royce on her wedding day to reveal a timeless ivory and satin Alexander McQueen gown.
All eyes were on the bride, as she made her way into Westminster Abbey to marry Prince William on April 29, 2011, and so became part of the fabric of our country.
These are emotional occasions, of course. And according to one royal expert there was an episode before the big day that she believes would have made Kate weep.
Like others before her, the Princess of Wales had wanted to keep her dress under wraps. But more than a month before the nuptials, the name of the designer was leaked.
More than a month before the nuptials, the designer for the special gown was leaked
The Princess of Wales, like many other brides, wanted to keep her dress reveal under wraps
Speaking to Channel 5 documentary Secrets of the Royal Dressmakers, royal commentator Katie Nicholl previously 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.’
The design itself was not disclosed, however, and the first sight of Kate’s Victorian-inspired wedding dress remained breathtaking.
The Palace said the Princess of Wales had chosen the brand for ‘the beauty of its craftsmanship and its respect for traditional workmanship and the technical construction of clothing.’
Kate wanted to have both elements of tradition and modernity in the frock and it has been said that she worked with the designer – Sarah Burton for Alexander McQueen – to bring about the result she wanted.
But at the time Ms Burton did not realise how high-profile the task was. She told The New York Times Style Magazine back in 2014: ‘I had no idea it would be as big as it was.
‘Only the night before, seeing all the photographers outside the abbey, did I think, ‘Oh, my God. This is massive.”
Many fashion designers commented on the stunning dress at the time. The late Chanel designer Karl Lagerfeld said:’ Alexander McQueen’s dresses are always very elegant.
‘It’s very pretty, and relatively classic, but that goes with the decor, with a little touch of the 1950s that recalls Marilyn Monroe or Queen Elizabeth’s dress.
‘The lace is pretty, especially the embroidered veil and the tiara not too high, without too heavy a bun. It’s ravishing and the length of the train is perfect.’
Royal commentator Katie Nicholl 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’
Kate stunned the world when she walked down the aisle in her timeless ivory and satin Alexander McQueen gown
‘It’s all elegant and chic — you don’t need to be born a royal princess to be like that.’
Christian Lacroix also commented on the frock and said: ‘I like the dress very much, simpler than expected: a combination just in between 1956 Grace Kelly and 1947 Queen Elizabeth dress.
‘I love the modest veil with the Queen Mother’s Thirties scroll tiara and balanced volume of the whole gown. She’s radiant; she never was so beautiful.’
The day was a success, with a whopping 162 million viewers worldwide tuning in to watch William and Kate exchange vows in their wholesome ceremony.
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