Kate's Sparkling Ivory Dress - British Royal Wedding's Best Kept Secret

Kate Middleton arrives at Westminster Abbey, in London, Britain, 29 April 2011, before her marriage to Prince William. EPA/BGNES

The best kept secret of the British royal wedding – the dress of Prince William's bride Kate Middleton – finally came to light during Friday's ceremony as she stepped out of the queen's 1977 Rolls-Royce Phantom VI.

Kate Middleton showed off with a spectacular yet simple ivory dress created by designer Sarah Burton, the 36-year-old creative director of luxury British label Alexander McQueen

Kate's wedding dress has been a subject of intense global curiosity for the past five months. The lacy, long-sleeved gown with lace overlay, and an ivory silk tulle veil trimmed with hand-embroidered flowers, and a sparkling tiara impressed guests on the spot and viewers from around the world as Kate, now Catherine, the Duchess of Cambridge, was given away by her father Michael Middleton.

Great care was taken in constructing the lace, a task that went to the Royal School of Needlework. According to details posted on the official royal wedding website, "the workers washed their hands every 30 minutes to keep the lace and threads pristine, and the needles were renewed every three hours to keep them sharp and clean."

The royal wedding website further says Middleton chose McQueen "for the beauty of its craftsmanship and its respect for traditional workmanship and the technical construction of clothing. Miss Middleton wished for her dress to combine tradition and modernity with the artistic vision that characterizes Alexander McQueen's work." It also says Middleton "worked closely" with Burton on the design.

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