It’s been 15 years since the then-Kate Middleton walked down the aisle at Westminster Abbey on the arm of her father, Michael, to marry Prince William on a glorious spring day in 2011. Now, the two are parents to Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis—who are ages 12, 10, and 8, respectively. But before they went on to raise a family and assume their royal duties as a couple together, they were a young bride and groom getting married in front of nearly 2,000 ceremony guests, and two billion people watching on television around the world.
The world was swept up in all the romance and grandeur of the royal wedding then, and it continues to be a major moment in history today. Among a myriad of dazzling details, there is, of course, the Princess of Wales’s spectacular Alexander McQueen gown. Here, Vogue breaks down the story of the gown and other details from their wedding day, in numbers.
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 characterizes 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.
Kate Middleton arriving at Westminster Abbey on her wedding day in 2011.
The number of minutes that passed before seamstresses working on Kate’s wedding dress had to wash their hands, in order to keep the lace and threads pristine.
The number of hours that were allowed to pass before the needles were renewed, to ensure they were sharp and clean.
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 meters and 70 centimeters—or almost nine feet.
The bride’s train, appliquéd using Ireland’s 19th-century Carrickmacross lace-making technique, stretched almost nine feet.
The number of gazar and organza-covered buttons, fastened by Rouleau loops, that decorated the back of Kate’s lace appliqué bodice.
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 countries that make up the United Kingdom.
The Queen loaned the Cartier tiara she was gifted on her own 18th birthday to Kate on her wedding day.
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.
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.
Sweet William was included in the Duchess of Cambridge’s bouquet, a nod to her husband on their wedding day a decade ago.
The number of different types of foliage included in Kate’s wedding bouquet: Lily-of-the-valley, symbolizing the return of happiness; sweet William, representing gallantry; hyacinth, symbolizing constancy of love; ivy, for fidelity, marriage, wedded love, friendship, and affection; and myrtle, the emblem of marriage and love.
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 honor on her big day, also wore McQueen.
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.
Kate chose Alexander McQueen for the British brand’s devotion to craftsmanship and respect for traditional workmanship.
The number of months the dress was on display at Buckingham Palace in the summer of 2011, following the royal wedding.
Kate’s dress went on display at Buckingham Palace for four months later that summer, after the world was swept up in the romance of the royal wedding.
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