Last updated at 7:03 PM on 29th April 2011
The now Duchess of Cambridge's wedding gown has been hailed a perfect tribute to Alexander McQueen. But the design, by the late designer's protegee and successor Sarah Burton, also pays homage to another princess bride.
The intricate lace appliqué bodice and sleeves of Catherine's dress mirror those on the wedding gown of Grace Kelly, who became Princess Grace of Monaco when she married Ranier III, Prince of Monaco, in 1956.
But the similarities don't end there: both gowns share a high-waisted, full-skirted silhouette with a long, dramatic train, and were worn with the sheerest of veils and diamond tiaras.
Homage: The new Duchess of Cambridge's bridal gown mirrored the one worn by Grace Kelly for her 1956 wedding to Ranier III of Monaco. Like Catherine, she was a commoner who married into royalty
Classic style: HRH Duchess of Cambridge emerges from Westminster Abbey, with her new husband Prince William. Her Alexander McQueen couture dress took its style lead from the Fifties
The comparison reveals how very classic Kate's style is, and how timeless Princess Grace's bridal look was.
Of course it was hardly a copycat look, and Britain's new Princess made the look very much her own. Her hair was worn part-loose in a demi-chignon, a style chosen in order that William recognise her as she walked down the aisle.
Traditional: Like Princess Grace of Monaco, Catherine's dress had a full skirt and long train, which was carried into the Abbey by her sister and maid-of-honour Pippa Middleton
Commission of the century: Alexander McQueen's head designer Sarah Burton makes sure every detail of the dress looks perfect before the bride walks down the aisle
Marriage of skills: Mrs Burton said the gown brought together the best of British craftsmanship
The workmanship saw individual flowers cut from lace and hand-engineered onto ivory silk tulle to create a unique and organic design - which incorporates the rose, thistle, daffodil and shamrock.
The matching shoes were also hand-made by the team at Alexander McQueen and are made of ivory duchesse satin with lace embroidery.
Dress designer Mrs Burton said: 'I am delighted that the dress represents the best of British craftsmanship.
'Alexander McQueen's designs are all about bringing contrasts together to create startling and beautiful clothes and I hope that by marrying traditional fabrics and lacework, with a modern structure and design we have created a beautiful dress for Catherine on her wedding day.
'Catherine looked absolutely stunning today, and the team at Alexander McQueen are very proud of what we have created.'
Chanel designer Karl Lagerfeld commented on the gown's Fifties influence, likening it to the wedding gown of William's grandmother, Queen Elizabeth, and Hollywood royalty Marilyn Monroe.
He 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.'
Mirror mirror: Princess Grace may have married Ranier III over 50 years ago, but the similarities between the two brides and their military-attired Royal grooms are remarkable
Woman of the people: Like Catherine, Hollywood star Grace Kelly was a commoner who married into royalty
THE FASHION PACK VERDICT
Karl Lagerfeld, Chanel: 'She is very elegant. The dress is classic... It almost reminds me of Elizabeth's wedding, the royal weddings in the Fifties. The proportion of the train is good. The lace is very pretty. I like the veil a lot.'
Bruce Oldfield: 'Catherine needed the volume of the skirt, both to emphasise her tiny waist and to give the dress a sense of importance.'
Hubert de Givenchy: 'The veil is a little flat, but because she has such a lovely face, she can afford to wear it this way. She is very pretty.'
Christian Lacroix: '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.'
Elie Saab: 'It was a very elegant dress, subtly refined and discreet, in keeping with her style. I would have liked it even more with a little extra volume and a longer train.'
Bruce Oldfield: 'Catherine needed the volume of the skirt, both to emphasise her tiny waist and to give the dress a sense of importance.'
Hubert de Givenchy: 'The veil is a little flat, but because she has such a lovely face, she can afford to wear it this way. She is very pretty.'
Christian Lacroix: '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.'
Elie Saab: 'It was a very elegant dress, subtly refined and discreet, in keeping with her style. I would have liked it even more with a little extra volume and a longer train.'
Celebrity bridal stylist Camilla Ridley Day hailed the dress the 'perfect choice for a princess.'
She said: 'She wears the dress, the dress doesn't wear her. It is totally fitting with her style and perfect for a princess.
'It is romantic and elegant, with long sleeves very suited to the Abbey.'
Daily Mail fashion expert Liz Jones added: 'What a triumph... The trademark McQueen padding at the hip made her waist look even smaller, while the corset meant her posture was that of a queen: upright, and formal.
'Kate didn't didn't falter once, which tells me her wedding slippers, also by McQueen, were no more than a couple of inches high, not the "hoof" McQueen was so fond of.'
Despite rumours and rife speculation, Catherine insisted on keeping details of the dress under wraps until today to surprise her husband-to-be - who was one of the last in the world to see the stunning creation.
Suitably impressed, William - now know as the Duke of Cambridge - whispered 'you look beautiful' as she joined him at the altar.
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