Prince William's Wedding: HRH The Duchess of Cambridge
A hearty welcome to the official royal fold, Your Royal Highness! Kate is now officially HRH The Duchess of Cambridge -- even the Prince of Wales's website has updated her bio to reflect her new status, and you know it's real if the internet says it is! 
The bridal tiara is a Windsor family heirloom. Royal watchers have been calling it the Scroll Tiara for years, but on the wedding day we learned that the royals call it the Cartier Halo Tiara. So, choose your poison on the name.
This tiara was commissioned in 1936 for the then-Duchess of York (later the Queen Mum) by the Duke of York from Cartier. It was then given to the current Queen by her parents as an eighteenth birthday present. It has most recently been worn by the late Princess Margaret and Princess Anne, but it hasn't been seen out and about for a number of years.
The tiara looked absolutely beautiful on Kate -- excuse me, on the Duchess -- and it's clear that it wasn't a last-minute choice. The earrings she wore here are a custom design given to her by her parents, and the top photo clearly shows that they were made to reflect the scroll motif in the tiara. Reports were that the tiara was a loaner from HM, but the earrings suggest to me that it's something of a long-term loan.
The veil too was lovely -- IMO, everything about the way she looked was just perfect. It's gauzy rather than lacy (except for the trim), which means it doesn't compete with the lace on her Alexander McQueen gown. Three cheers for the newest woman in the Windsor family -- I can't wait to see her hats for Trooping the Colour, her upcoming Canadian tour, and all of her future royal adventures!
(Originally posted at the Annex - click here for more comments.)
PHOTO CREDITS: Fiona Hanson - WPA Pool/Getty Images, REUTERS/Dylan Martinez, Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images
Absolutely stunning. There is not a part of this entire ensemble that I do not like. I was kind of hoping for a longer veil (perhaps to match the length of the train a la other royal weddings) but her dress is so light and airy that even a few more yards of this veil might have weighed the whole look down.
Congratulations, Your Royal Highness, and well done!
I love the tiara! I thought it was perfect for her. She looked beautiful! It actually took me a while to warm up to the dress because it reminded me of grace kelly's...but now I really like it and think its perfect on her. As far as the veil goes, I was actually, surprisingly, pleased that it was short. I thought that it was a nice change in terms of what we have seen in the past with royal brides. And it made the whole outfit look elegant and regal
I had thought the scroll tiara was a viable candidate from early on, so I was pretty happy to see it. It's a great "starter" tiara - small but still plenty sparkly. I thought the newly minted Duchess of Cambridge was stunning - not overdone at all, and still showing that she is the "Kate" that William fell in love with.
What a stunning bride. I'm so glad she didn't get talked into wearing a 'fashion' wedding gown that would have looked dated within two years (or one of those bloody strapless numbers - I blame Vera Wang). This is a gown that will look as good in fifty years as it does now, like Grace Kelly's or Princess Margaret's. The lace is perfect, and the hint of a bustle and a full skirt gives her a slightly more hourglass figure.
The tiara is, now that I think about it, an obvious and perfect choice. Anything else may have been too overpowering and would have looked perched, rather than placed. However, I do hope that as her profile and position raises, she will move onto bigger bits of bling befitting a future Queen. This looks absolutely stunning. But most of all she looks like herself, which is more than can be siad for a lot of brides.
Bravo, Ma'am, and congratulations!
And well done Ella!
She looks absolutely gorgeous, I think this is how a bride is suppost to look!
Kate did indeed look beautiful and very much like herself, which should be the objective of all brides on their wedding day. But while I didn’t expect any OTT fashion statement (thank heavens, no strapless or irregular hems), I expected a bit more. The gown’s V neck seemed to call for a diamond or pearl pendant since it would have showcased a hanging jewel perfectly, but probably not Kate's style. I wished the train was somewhat longer and that the "blusher" veil had more body and layers to it with a layer extending over the length of the train. The fact that it was gauzy was a perfect decision rather than having a lace veil obscuring her face. Perhaps I still have to warm up to the look, IDK. The Scroll tiara was lovely on her and an appropriate choice with great provenance and history for a novice royal lady ready to make her mark in the Royal Family. I was hoping for the Strathmore Rose, but perhaps it was in too deteriorated a condition for restoration. I hope to see her wearing more substantial tiaras in the future, including one that she actually owns. And more jewelry, including Diana’s sapphires eventually, although Kate’s style seems to be understated and minimal. And, of course, hats, hats and more hats for public appearances!
Just heard that William is slated to go to the Falklands for 10 weeks training in September, and I'm sure they'll make the best of this temporary separation. They've both proved that they can hang in for the long term, and they clearly love each other. Congrats and best wishes to Their Royal Highnesses!
I think she looked lovely. The veil was perfect for the dress and the tiara was placed.perfectly. Kate's tiara, even though it was small, stood out very well, unlike Princess Mary of Denmark's. I can't wait to see the tiara on her at a gala event.
I wonder - is the Teck Crescent and Rose tiara still around? It belonged to Princess Mary Adelaide of Teck who was Mary of Cambridge before her marriage. It's a pretty piece and it being a Cambridge tiara would suit the new Duchess very well. Here's a picture:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/94175377@N00/5193890078/
It's odd, after all the speculation and fantasy tiara-ing and wondering what the dress would be like - I can't imagine her in anything else now. If anything this concoction just gets better the more you look at it. I love how the earrings echo the swirl on the tiara, and the perfect length of the veil. The lacework on the dress is exquisite - I don't think I've ever seen lace applied with such a light touch. I love how it tapers off into the skirt rather than forming a harsh line. The way the collar lies is perfect, and the fall of the skirt into the train is delicious. I honestly think this is the perfect dress for her - she looks regal, and yet entirely like herself.
Big shout out too, to Pippa and James - if anything they had the hardest part of the wedding! Pippa looked amazing, and carried herself beautifully, and James' reading was spot on. And Mr & Mrs M looked wonderful - the shot with her dad lifting the veil is one of my favourites from the whole day.
the more i look at this ensemble, the more i like it. The applied lace is fabulous and unlike anything i have ever seen. the design on the skirt hints of gorgeousness in the photos but really needs a look in-person to see its full beauty. Here is hoping the gown goes on display this summer. I'll be there.
also, i have looked carefully at Princess Grace's gown. There are some similarities but big differences. Her skirt was taffeta and more bowl shaped, the lace was just on the upper bodice and there was a wide cummerbund. The lace design was totally differnt rosepoint. And the bodice was buttoned up to her neck.
I admit that I was dying to see the GOGB or the Rundell (maybe later, it's such a pretty thing, and I want to see if it still exists).
But, I have to agree with Maggie above. . .I can't imagine it any other way now. Even the scroll, or erm, the Cartier Halo looked better than I'd ever seen it look and the matching earrings were just perfect. The more photos I see of the ensemble the more smashing it looks, from the box pleat construction of the skirt to the appliqued lace to the veil to the understated jewels to the teeny bouquet. Also, it will be a classic along the lines of Princess Margaret or Princess Grace and not dated in ten years along the lines of Princess Diana or even Queen Elizabeth's gown.
I do feel a bit sorry for the poor lady rumoured to have plunked down a 6,000 pound bet on the fringe, though. I may be alone, but I was very relieved it wasn't the Strathmore which I think would have overpowered everything with its very literal rose-ness.
Just lovely, the dress, the veil, the tiara... best of all the brilliant happy smile on her face. I'm glad she chose a heavy fabric that would resist wrinkling and lay nicely. I would have liked a bigger bouquet though
Time magazine has a feature where you can zoom in on the details of the dress, you can get much better look at the lace and it's placement. I've done carrickmacross lace (though I hesitate to call anything I've made lace when put against this marvel of needlework). I'm impressed by how the pattern of the lace matches where the pleats come together and still matches when the pleats are open. Now *that's* worth couture $$.
http://www.time.com/time/interactive/0,31813,2068384,00.html
Tears welled in my eyes when I saw Kate get out of the Phantom with her dear Dad. I was stunned...absolutely stunned at how incredibly beautiful this young woman was on her wedding day.
First things first, her tiara. Wow, how fitting was this choice. It's on the smaller side without being too small which is a good thing because it should enhance her look for the day not distract. The metal that the tiara is made out of is the color of gold she prefers to wear. The provenance of the tiara made it the perfect choice as well. And most importantly, it SPARKLED!
Her dress and veil...after pausing the DVR I just sat and gawked at how over the top beautiful she looked while wiping away a few tears. I must admit after finding out that it was most likely Sarah Burton who designed her dress I was a little nervous about it. Would it be too cutting edge??? But, as soon as I saw her, I was assured that it was a classic and timeless design. Brava, Princess William! Brava, Sarah!
I thought that her bouquet was on the smaller side and wished it was a tad larger, BUT that would have been my choice. It was her special day and she should be happy with every choice she made.
The only thing I was surprised about was that she wasn't shaking in the least! I certainly would have been. This woman is so comfortable (it seems) in an intimate setting and one in which 2 billion people were watching her.
I loved the smiles she gave as the crowd outside the Abbey cheered every time she spoke. I also loved at how happy Peter and Zara Phillips looked (HUGE SMILES) as they craned their necks to get a better view of Wills & Kate at the alter. They were so happy for them as I am sure the other family members were, but unfortunately I couldn't see them all.
This was a day worth waiting for! What a boost in the arm this wedding gave this little old royal watcher. = )
I like the tiara, whatever its name is, and Catherine is now the fourth generation of the Windsors to have worn this diadem which is great. To continue, I also liked Catherine's hair and I would love to know what earrings she is wearing.
This is a stunning dress. Absolutely gorgeous. It fits beautifully, and the lace is so beautiful.
The Duchess of Cambridge looked perfect. The tiara is so pretty and suits her. Let's see it lots more!
Suze - the earrings were a present from Kate's parents which emulate the new coat of arms of the Middleton family. The center is a hanging acorn of pave diamonds which is the central motif on the coat of arms. In addition, the earrings were also specially designed to emulate the scroll work of the tiara which leaves the distinct impression that this is a long-term loan to Katherine since earrings wouldn't be designed just for a tiara worn for the day. I love the idea that Kate will put her stamp on the royal jewelry collection since these earrings will carry the Middleton stamp for future generations to come.
Here's a Daily Mail article with a great close-up of the earrings.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-1381941/Royal-Wedding-fashion-Catherine-Kate-Middleton-wears-Cartier-tiara-lent-Queen.html
At first I wasn't excited about her wearing the Scroll Tiara because I automatically picture Princess Anne's huge hair behind it but once that went away saw how beautiful it looked on her. Others have said that this is a great starter tiara and I agree but I can't wait for her to move into other pieces.
Has there been any news about what pieces of jewelry will be loaned to her by the Queen and if any of Diana's personal jewelry will be given to her?
The tiara and earrings are lovely. But, the eye make-up is so stark and harsh it is fighting for attention. The cosmetics should enhance the look not BE the look.
Perfection. Absolute perfection. This was my favorite of the contenders for her wedding tiara, and I was thrilled to spy it under the veil in the car on the way to the Abbey.
Catherine was just stunning, I couldn't have imagined anything better.
VIA http://www.officialroyalwedding2011.com
The Bride’s earrings, by Robinson Pelham, are diamond-set stylised oak leaves with a pear shaped diamond set drop and a pavé set diamond acorn suspended in the centre. Inspiration for the design comes from the Middleton family's new coat of arms, which includes acorns and oak leaves. The earrings were made to echo the tiara. The earrings were a personal gift to the Bride from her parents for her Wedding Day.
She was simply breathtakingly stunning. I loved the dress. The day after I heard a fashion designer complaining that she didn't go modern enough. Hubby was watching and snorted in derision. I say it's her wedding and she picked a dress which was right for her. It really was right for her. Loved the simplicity and the tiara really stood out.
Well done Duckess of Cambridge indeed.
Blast. "Duchess"
The Duchess is up there with Victoria, Maxima, and Mette-Marit in the most perfect royal brides. All four chose gowns that not only reflected the regality of their respective kingdoms but fit their personality's entirely. Catherine wears the Scroll Tiara better than any of her predecessors. Its like it was made just for her, and I loved the earrings. The veil was perfect too. Everything was just right for her. Her entire wedding day look is timeless and an instant classic.
Something else I really like about this tiara is that there is no velvet band at the bottom-that always annoyed me about the Spencer. Made it look costumey. (I know-a priceless tiara being called costumey.) This is diamonds and platinum all the way!
And on half of it, the scrolls look like stylized Cs-for Catherine and Cambridge? Why not?