Kate Middleton was serious wedding goals from the minute she stepped out of her royal carriage. Along with a custom-made shade of nail polish and divine perfume, the Duchess rocked not one but TWO gorgeous wedding dresses on her big day. Suffice it to say, the entire look generated lots of buzz, and the gown she wore for the ceremony still inspires copycats to this day.
It’s easy to see why, of course. Everything from its elegant neckline to the luxurious train gave us heart-eyes. But funny enough, the gown had one touching detail that you probably didn’t even notice.
The floral embroidery on Kate’s sleeves wasn’t just a pretty embellishment; it also represented a tribute to the United Kingdom, HuffPost reports. The design included roses, daffodils, thistles, and shamrocks — the national emblems of the four countries in the U.K.: England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland.
What’s more, the delicate flowers were handcrafted using a 17th-century Irish lace-making technique called Carrickmacross. Learn about the fascinating history behind the Duchess’s engagement ring, too.
Tradition calls for royal brides to wear a dress by a British designer. In Kate’s case, she chose a custom design by Alexander McQueen’s creative director, Sarah Burton. The bride adored the British brand for the “beauty of its craftsmanship” and its “respect for traditional workmanship and the technical construction of clothing,” St James’s Palace told the Mirror.
But that’s not the only time the Duchess has wowed us with her impeccable sense of style. She stole a few tips and tricks from her mother-in-law’s playbook with these 18 times she dressed exactly like Princess Diana.
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