With Kate and William’s anniversary upon us I thought it would be nice to take a look back to 2011 and Kate’s wedding gowns. Five years ago tonight many of us were setting alarms for an early start the next morning, while Kate and the rest of the Middletons were at London’s Goring Hotel.
We first saw Kate in the Queen’s Bentley, on her way to Westminster Abbey with her father, Michael Middleton.
In this photo it almost looked like Kate was having a few ‘cleansing breaths,’ although she actually appeared very calm and composed the entire day.
The train on Kate’s gown was just under nine feet. That expanse of fabric was well handled by Maid of Honour Pippa Middleton.
A wave and a smile.
Final adjustments.
A better look at precisely what Sarah Burton is arranging.
Michael Middleton’s face spoke volumes.
This offers a nice look at the Cartier ‘Halo’ tiara. Kate’s silk tulle veil was embroidered by the craftspeople at the Royal School of Needlework, based at Hampton Court Palace. (The majority of the lace was made in France at the historic Sophie Hallette factory, then affixed to the dress by Royal School personnel.)
The expression on William’s face is dear. 
A shared smile before heading up the aisle.
There must have been some relief at this point for the newlyweds, knowing the first of the day’s big events was behind them.
Kate was radiant.
The younger members of the wedding party arriving at Buckingham Palace.
Another look at the train.
The receiving line.
The long-awaited appearance on the Palace’s iconic balcony.
Most enjoyed the military flypast.
But little Grace van Cutsem was underwhelmed.
A breeze lifted Kate’s veil as she returned inside, it looked very pretty in the video clips.
Later that afternoon it was time for a royal version of the “Just Married” drive.
©Kelvin Bruce / Nunn Syndication / Polaris
That evening there was a private reception for families and friends.
The Duchess was in a second gown by Sarah Burton.
This is a photo I hadn’t previously seen, it seems to do a good job summing up the day.
This BBC clip runs about 3:40.
And this 8-minute video was tweeted by Kensington Palace this morning.
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge make their vows in front of 1,900 wedding guests @wabbeyhttps://t.co/YK7ScGLiqU
— Kensington Palace (@KensingtonRoyal) April 29, 2016
We will see you with another tour post this weekend.
LINKAGE:
- The full program and Order of Service can be seen here
- The Telegraph has a nifty piece about Sophie Hallette, the French lacemakers who created Kate’s lace; Vogue has a shorter piece about the lace here
- The Telegraph has a photo gallery looking back at the last five years; The Western Daily Press looks at The Duke & Duchess of Cambridge’s 10 Best Moments in 5-Year Marriage
- The Telegraph’s ‘Kate’s Wedding Dress in Pictures’ feature is here
- The Daily Mail has a good feature on royal wedding gowns
I loved seeing Harry lean over and whisper “Wait until you see her.” Such an awesome moment between brothers! I hadn’t planned on getting up that early but my husband left his work keys home and needed me to drive them to him so I ended up being awake anyway! Beautiful ceremony and she just looked so utterly flawless, a perfect fairy tale.
I’ve always wondered just what Harry was saying! Hey – did anyone see the moment Kate’s veil was lifted behind her head?
I was just looking at photos of Michael Middleton lifting Kate’s veil. I used Google and searched for “Michael Middleton lifts Kate’s veil photo” and several pictures popped up. Hope this helps.
This photo of Kate and Pippa arriving at the Goring Hotel the day before her wedding is most odd,I remember the original photo with her mother present,It appears Carol’s body has been edited out of this photo but her feet remain!
Thank you for mentioning that, I may just delete it because it it so bizarre. The problem is purchasing another, but I’d rather not have one at all I think. 🙂
Does anyone know how the train “hooked up” for the first reception, or did it just unhook under the sort of bustle-thing in the back? She doesn’t seem to have the train in the receiving line and it seems like it would be too big and heavy to fold over and attach to her …
I’ll never forget watching Kate make her way up the aisle. While her face looked strained I was struck by her steady steps, making it clear that there was no way she wouldn’t make it to the altar. And in the middle of it all she still managed to turn and smile at the congregation on her way there.
This remains my favourite wedding dress of all time and I appreciate taking another look at it. I love seeing the work at the back, the McQueen style flounces, how the train flares out, the fabulous embellishment on the fabric.
I was always struck at how daring the under-bodice was, a subtle sexy edge to a formal gown. Even given the modest covering of lace, the neckline was low, both front and back. The veil was superb, the way it hung was poetry in motion.
And the look on Mike Middleton’s face says it all. I always felt that even if Kate had stopped half-way up the aisle and told her father she’d just changed her mind, that her family would support her all the way, no question. A world away from Diana’s predicament.
Perfectly phrased!
Kate is the cover girl for British Vogue’s Centenary issue.
http://www.vogue.co.uk/news/2016/04/30/duchess-of-cambridge-vogue-cover-catherine-centenary-issue
Could this woman be any more perfect? I loved the wedding dress and the reception dress … I loved the contrast between the dress and the shrug texture. When showing a photo of the reception dress, CNN or some news outlet had the headline, “Fluffy, sparkly, time to take a whirl!” And that’s exactly what it was — a perfect mix of those two with an extremely elegant line.
I woke up early, turned on the TV at the EXACT moment Kate was getting in to the car at the hotel. It was perfect — I watched every moment of her excited ride, and that amazing moment when she stepped out and her train fanned out and she looked back and laughed with Pippa. The archbishop later spoke of the moment he first saw her approach the church and he was stunned by how beautiful she looked. It was very moving for him because I think he could really feel the true love between William and Kate.
only five years?? it seemed longer.
i watchedmthe live telecast in an irish pub in jakarta. our table was next to a big group of english ladies fully dressed with hats. good times!
the whole thing was flawless. I wish she would wear her wedding earrings again.
Loved the wedding dress,jewelry,everything. However, I didn’t particularly like the reception dress. It looked funny to me with the shrug. I happen to.like shrugs quite a bit and wear them myself. Maybe if it had been in the same fabric as the dress. I have never been able to figure it out. But I skipped work to in.order to watch it.
I wasn’t a fan of the evening look. The texture of the shrug seemed to jar against the satin smooth dress fabric. And that in itself looked more like something that would work as an undergarment rather than the main event. It seemed like a direct copy of the wedding dress without the lace and all.
A year or so after the wedding, I took a crewel embroidery class here in California, but taught by a certified teacher from the Royal School of Needlework (she’s English, but based in San Francisco). As you might know, all the news reports said that the lace was made BY the RSN. She said that, no, she was visiting the RSN while the gown was being worked on, and the lace for the gown was made in Italy, but of course no one wanted that to get out because the story should ideally be that the entire gown was domestically made, down to the last stitch. The report on this website says that the lace was made in France. Is there any way to know, at this point?
Of course Kate’s gown was elegant and beautiful. And I suppose I’m in the minority now, but I loved Diana’s gown and I still do. Yes, it was huge, and frilly, and an early sign of 1980s excess. So what? It was very much of its time. I don’t agree that all bridal gowns should be “timeless.” Seeing them decades later, when they very much indicate when they were worn, is incredibly charming and romantic.
As an art historian, and despite my personal taste for sleek, minimalist design, I’ll agree that it’s not necessary for wedding gowns to be “timeless” — that when they are clearly of their era, they are more interesting to observe, from a historical point of view. I don’t necessarily agree that they are charming and romantic merely for possessing a look that identifies them as being of a specific vintage. Some wedding gowns are simply not attractive, no matter when they were made, though they may still be worth study.
In fact, Diana’s dress wasn’t typical of dresses in 1981. That 80’s excess was really a later development, with Diana’s enormous and frilly dress having an (unsurprisingly) outsized influence on other women’s gowns. The UK (and the US) was in the middle of difficult economic times in the very early 80’s, and I think there was a sense that the royal wedding could help combat the general weariness brought on by recession and austerity. Hence its somewhat over-the-top character as partly represented by the Emanuels’ meringue-like confection of a wedding dress. It was really a product of their particular design sensibilities and Diana’s appreciation of them rather than of any wider taste for that style of dress in 1981.
This was the period when many of my own contemporaries were starting to get married, so I was attending more weddings than I previously had. The later 80s meringue as influenced by Diana’s dress hadn’t yet become popular. As I recall, there was still something of a 70s bohemian flavor to a lot of wedding dress designs. Otherwise, lace was abundantly evident, but the very big skirt and big puffy sleeves had not yet emerged as common design features.
They certainly did later, much to my distress, and hung on for a while. I seem to recall jokes being made about that sort of dress in the film “Four Weddings and a Funeral,” which was made around 1994!
“I don’t agree that all bridal gowns should be “timeless.” Seeing them decades later, when they very much indicate when they were worn, is incredibly charming and romantic.”
I agree with you on this. It’s less fun to make every wedding gown predictably timeless. Current fashions always influence bridal trends, and this is so important. This is how we get to see something new.
As I recall, Diana herself later expressed regret over her dress and said that she wished she’d chosen something else. Her tastes matured, so by her 30’s she seemed to find the dress a little embarrassing.
That’s not uncommon. I’ve seen a lot of brides look at her wedding albums and cringe. My own dress (worn in 1986) was pretty simple, but I wouldn’t wear it today.
How fun! Thanks for posting these memories. Our crabapple tree was in full bloom the day they were married, and every year since then when it blooms it takes me back to that beautiful day.
a set of stamps showing the DoC and family
http://www.jerseystamps.com/en/Shop/Detail?c=1606&r=%2F
Thank goodness for the DVR. I chose a couple of channels to tape for the wedding and woke up naturally. Then, I started watching from the beginning. Weather in London can be so unpredictable, but thank goodness it was a beautiful day for them. I think her dress was lovely and very much in the same style that we’ve seen her wear over the last 5 years. Very understated, smart, and conservative. She has single-handedly brought back lace as a fashion trend. It’s clear that it’s a favorite of hers.
I have to say seeing the details of the lace on the top and fabric and lines of the skirt really changes my view of this dress, from more lovely but familiar to Wow that is gorgeous. I bet in person it is a knock out.The evening dress is very pretty and again looks to be made from a gorgeous fabric. Veils are hard, hers looked great and I loved her jewelry. In the third photo from the top, in the car, it looks like she is doing deep breathing to calm herself:). Are there any photos of her shoes, wedding and evening.
Thanks for this look back. I absolutely loved the wedding dress and everything about it (though I can’t say the same for the second gown…if it had been me I would have staying in that gorgeous lace dress!).
I thought the best moment was when Kate came up the aisle and met William, and he appeared to say to her “You look beautiful.” I also thought it was sweet that Kate got choked up saying her vows. I know you never really know what’s going on in people’s private relationships, but I love the signs that Kate & William have a loving marriage (and certainly hope that continues).
The first picture of her waving, which I love, looks like she’s singing in her head “I’m getting married in the morning! Ding Dong! The bells are gonna chime.”
I have to admit, I had hoped for a rather more distinctive, sophisticated, and creatively-conceived wedding dress, and the evening dress didn’t light my fire either. There was nothing massively wrong with them, and the workmanship was clearly of the highest quality. I simply thought they were both a little uninteresting, especially as products of the McQueen atelier.
However, the Duchess’s traditionalism was very much on display, setting the tone for the future of her wardrobe choices. There might as well have been a sign emblazoned on her train: “This is who I am, ladies and gentlemen; this is what you’re going to get.”
I hadn’t seen any pictures of the little girls wearing their capelets. They were lovely.
I think there has been something of the ‘take-it-or-leave-it’ about Kate’s style since she arrived on the royal scene. It might seem a shade stubborn or unimaginative but there’s no doubting the long-term value of it given the life-long role she has stepped into. I don’t think she’s quite as unswervingly consistent as the Queen, but I can see it serving Kate in much the same way long term.
You know I actually called in sick that day at work!! The wedding was starting around 11 AM (Indian time) or so… It was sucha special day! And i remember when I saw Kate in her dress the first time… she looked mind blowingly spectacular!! What a timeless classic beautiful and elegant dress it is! Heavily inspired from Grace Kelly’s dress but I like this one better!
And I started following your blog from the engagement previous to the wedding where Kate wore that Navy blue skirt and blazer. 🙂
I still don’t think Kate has ever looked lovelier than she did on her wedding day. The gown was a home run and I’m so glad it created a long lace-sleeve trend. Happy anniversary Will & Kate!
I can’t believe it’s been 5 years already. I remember staying up all night to watch all the coverage (I didn’t want to miss anything and thankfully I took the following day off of work). She looked radiant…the wedding dress was stunning. Everything looked beautiful. One of my favorite moments from that day was when they were leaving the balcony and Kate turned around for just one more look at the crowd.
Kate looking back on the balcony….That was my favorite moment, too.
What fun! Thank you for sharing all these delightful photos.
The receiving line looks very narrow.
so many nice memories !!http://intelligently-fashionable.blogspot.com
I so much remember being up early on this day to see the whole thing! I arrived a little late at class, too, but it was all worthy! Thank you for helping us to remember, Susan. =)
Just lovely. Thanks for this look back at a wonderful day.
The lace was very pretty.I liked her veil a lot.Her makeup was not the best-a bit too much blush and eyeliner,but it wasn’t bad.I dislike the collar and the sweet heart neckline of the dress.Her hair and jewelery worked together very well.Her shoes were pretty too.
As for her second wedding gown-it was fine.I appreciated the simplicity in the look.A white angora shrug+an embellished belt.I again disliked the sweet heart neckline and umm…her chest region was quite emphasized.
Such a lovely wedding! I watched it and it was so romantic! I remember loving the dress, and the veil very much (would still like something similar for my wedding if I ever get married), and I thought Michael seemed nervous which was sweet. I loved it when William cracked a joke with him which seemed to put Michael at ease at bit!
Beautiful wedding dress and day. Sarah Burton was a fantastic choice, I only wish McQueen could have lived to see this – although he may have had mixed thoughts about gaining such ‘establishment’ approval.
Such a wonderful day – and I have to admit I let out a sigh of relief when it went off without a hitch. Bittersweet as well since I remember getting up early to watch Charles & Diana. We had such hope. I also remember Catherine’s father – he looked anxious to me. I suppose what father of the bride doesn’t. Thank you for the photos. Wonderful.