Ready for its close-up, all the f inery of Duchess’s gown
THE wedding dress worn by the Duchess of Sussex is to go on display at Windsor Castle, allowing visitors a first glimpse of the embroidery that took hundreds of hours of work.
The Givenchy dress, created by Claire Waight Keller, the British designer, is to go on show along with the 16ft veil adorned with the 53 flowers of the Commonwealth, and a California Poppy representing Meghan Markle’s own heritage.
A copy of the Duke’s Blues and Royals frock-coat uniform will be included in the exhibition, called A Royal Wedding: The Duke And Duchess Of Sussex and due to open in October.
While the Duchess of Cambridge’s wedding gown went on display in 2011 at Buckingham Palace as part of the summer exhibition, this will be a standalone exhibition dedicated to both bride and groom.
It will include Queen Mary’s 1932 diamond and platinum bandeau tiara, lent to the Duchess by the Queen for the ceremony and on public display for the first time in its long history.
The tiara and dress were seen by millions around the world on May 19, as the televised wedding and carriage ride allowed viewers to marvel at the Duchess’s boat-necked gown.
The exhibition will now give admirers the chance to see the details of the fabric for the first time, with special attention paid to the veil.
Said to have taken hundreds of hours, the veil was intended to celebrate the ties between the Duchess’s new family and the Commonwealth, and includes emblems of the Wintersweet which grew at Prince Harry’s childhood home of Kensington Palace.
Embroidered ears of wheat, symbolising love and charity, lie at the front of the veil. Those working on it had to wash their hands every half an hour to keep it pristine. A Royal Wedding: The Duke and Duchess of Sussex will be at Windsor from Oct 26 to Jan 6, and at the Palace of Holyroodhouse in Edinburgh from June 14 to Oct 6 next year. Admission at Windsor is included as part of a castle ticket.