We all remember the dress: the billowing ivory silk tulle skirt, two types of lace, the fitted bodice, the deep V neckline and, last but not least, the nine-foot train. We are, of course, talking about Kate Middleton’s wedding gown, which she wore to wed Prince William in April, 2011. Designed by Sarah Burton, the Alexander McQueen number was a true fairy-tale dress, and went on to be named one of the most popular wedding dresses of the decade.
However, did you know that the iconic McQueen gown wasn’t the only dress Kate wore on her wedding day?
After saying ‘I do’ at Westminster Abbey, the now-princess actually had an outfit change before heading to she and William’s reception at Buckingham palace. Also designed by Sarah Burton, the royal’s second gown was sleeker than her main ensemble, made of satin with a fitted bodice and slim, A-line cut. It also featured a sweetheart neckline and bejewelled belted waist. Ever fashion-forward, Kate kept cosy by adding a fluffy cardigan to the look.
Very few photographs were taken of this second dress, with photographers only able to capture images of the royal couple leaving Clarence House, King Charles’ then-home, on their way to the official reception (at which they hosted some 650 guests, by the way).
At the time, the media was so fixated on Kate’s ceremonial outfit that images of this second gown barely made ripples in the press. However, it began to garner attention in 2022, when a TikTok user uploaded an old video of the princess wearing it while descending a set of stairs. Now, over a decade after she wore it, Kate’s barely-photographed second wedding dress is finally getting the recognition it deserves.
