Suitable and sisterly: The Duchess of Cambridge wears Alexander McQueen to sister Pippa Middleton’s wedding

The Duchess of Cambridge today at Pippa Middleton's wedding - AP POOL
The Duchess of Cambridge today at Pippa Middleton's wedding - AP POOL

What exactly the Duchess of Cambridge would choose to wear to her sister Pippa Middleton’s wedding today has likely been discussed as much by fashion commentators as what the bride herself would opt for.

As one of the most famous women in the world (and one whose every outfit choice makes the front pages whether she’s attending a gala or popping to the shops) the Duchess will have found herself contemplating her wedding guest look from a very unusual position; no matter what she chose to wear, she would be at risk of upstaging the bride, her sister, on her big day.

The Duchess of Cambridge and Princess Charlotte
The Duchess of Cambridge and Princess Charlotte

The Duchess’ understanding of this sensitive situation meant that what she actually did choose to wear today was a very clever sartorial tactic indeed. Kate completely steered clear of anything outlandish or attention-grabbing, sticking with her signature occasionwear silhouette, a rose pink midi-length dress, by one of her favourite labels Alexander McQueen.

The Duchess of Cambridge smiles with bridesmaid Princess Charlotte - Credit: AP
The Duchess of Cambridge smiles with bridesmaid Princess Charlotte Credit: AP

The first glimpse of Kate came at around 10am as she left Kensington Palace with the Duke of Cambridge in a Range Rover, her sculpted rose-topped hat by milliner Jane Taylor, and morganite earrings by Kiki McDonough visible to the awaiting paparazzi through the car window. 

The Duchess of Cambridge and Princess Charlotte today
The Duchess of Cambridge and Princess Charlotte today

The next shot we saw was of the Duchess arriving at the church, leading a gaggle of bridesmaids and page boys into the service, including her own children Prince George and Princess Charlotte. Here we got the first glimpse of Kate's custom-made, full-sleeve dress by designer Sarah Burton, as she helped make adjustments to Pippa's dress just before she went down the aisle.

L.K. Bennett, Erdem and Emilia Wickstead were all frontrunners to dress the Duchess today - all being brands in Kate’s occasionwear repertoire which could offer her something classic and understated, but still a little bit special.

Duchess
Duchess

But when it came down to it, she turned to Sarah Burton, the woman who designed her McQueen wedding dress in 2011, and who has become a trusted aide. 

The most stylish looks from Pippa Middleton's wedding

London-based fashion house Alexander McQueen has dressed the Duchess of Cambridge on dozens of occasions since the royal wedding, including to Prince George's christening in and on the red carpet at the BAFTAs earlier this year. Burton will gamely adapt pieces from her runway collections to suit the Duchess (like when she switched a risque corset bodice for a more suitable off-shoulder top for said BAFTA appearance) and will also whip up bespoke outfits at a moment's notice when needed.

The Duchess of Cambridge wearing Alexander McQueen at the BAFTAs - Credit: Rex
The Duchess of Cambridge wearing Alexander McQueen at the BAFTAs, 2017 Credit: Rex

Pippa, of course, became the world’s most famous bridesmaid at the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge’s wedding in 2011 (thanks largely to her own figure-skimming Alexander McQueen crepe satin dress) so she will know all too well what it can mean to have a star in your bridal party. While she didn’t quite manage to steal the show from the Duchess, it was a moment that put her on the radar for designers around the world, turning her into an unexpected fashion plate and a regular on the front rows at London Fashion Week.

In not asking her sister to be an official bridesmaid and get ready with her on the morning of the wedding, Pippa showed that she didn’t want to be outdone on her wedding day, and, frankly, it seems fair enough - this is perhaps the only day that she will not be playing second fiddle as ‘the sister of the Duchess of Cambridge’. 

The overall fashion verdict on the Duchess’s look, then? Poised, diplomatic and as sisterly as could be.

Duchess of Cambridge: every outfit ever

 

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