One
The number of years Sarah Burton had been artistic director at Alexander McQueen when she was commissioned to create one of the most anticipated wedding dresses in history. The bride chose the British house “for the beauty of its craftsmanship and its respect for traditional workmanship and the technical construction of clothing”. Kate, now the Princess of Wales, wanted a wedding gown that combined “tradition and modernity with the artistic vision that characterises Alexander McQueen’s work”, the Palace said. Burton, who had been McQueen’s right-hand woman for years, was named as the designer’s successor after he tragically took his own life in 2010.
30
The number of minutes that were allowed to pass before seamstresses working on Kate’s wedding dress had to wash their hands, in order to keep the lace and threads pristine
Three
The number of hours that were allowed to pass before the needles were renewed, to ensure they were sharp and clean.
Nine
The number of feet the royal bride’s train stretched behind her as she walked down the aisle. Burton designed the skirt to echo an opening flower, with white satin gazar arches and pleats that pooled in a train measuring two metres and 70 centimetres – or almost nine feet.
58
The number of gazar and organza covered buttons, fastened by Rouleau loops, that decorated the back of Kate’s lace appliqué bodice.
Four
The number of motifs hand-embroidered in Kate’s veil of soft, ivory silk tulle. The design incorporated the rose, the thistle, the daffodil, and the shamrock, to represent each of the four countries that make up the United Kingdom.
19
The age at the time of the youngest member of the team assembled from the Royal School of Needlework – made up of existing staff, former staff, tutors, graduates and students – to work on the most closely-guarded secret in fashion: Kate’s wedding dress.
888
The number of diamonds in the Cartier Halo tiara, loaned to Kate on the occasion of her wedding day by Prince William’s grandmother, the Queen.
Five
The number of different types of foliage included in Kate’s wedding bouquet: Lily-of-the-valley, symbolising the return of happiness; sweet William, representing gallantry; hyacinth, symbolising constancy of love; ivy, for fidelity, marriage, wedded love, friendship and affection; and myrtle, the emblem of marriage and love.
Four
The number of flower girls who accompanied the bride in Westminster Abbey: Lady Louise Windsor, Margarita Armstrong-Jones, Grace van Cutsem and Eliza Lopes all wore white dresses by Nicki Macfarlane. The now Princess of Wales’s younger sister, Pippa Middleton, who was maid of honour on her big day, wore McQueen.
153
The number of years myrtle has been included in royal brides’ wedding bouquets. The tradition dates back to 1858, when Queen Victoria’s eldest daughter, Princess Victoria, carried it on her wedding day. It was used to signify the traditional innocence of a bride.
Four
The number of months the dress went on display at Buckingham Palace in the summer of 2011, following the royal wedding.
