Kate Middleton wedding dress: Thousands queue around Buckingham Palace
Royal wedding magic returns as thousands flock back and queue around Buckingham Palace to see Kate”s breathtaking wedding dress up close
1:46 PM on 26th July 2011
The royal queue: The Duchess of Cornwall”s iconic wedding dress is bound to be a draw for the crowds who gather outside Buckingham Palace
Crowd-pleaser: People queue far into the distance eager to catch a glimpse of the world”s most famous wedding dress
First ones in: The dress is expected to attract at least 250,000 visitors while its on display
Catching a glimpse: Fans patiently wait for the gates of Buckingham Palace to open
Reliving the big day: The intricate design of the Alexander McQueen dress will be seen close-up by visitors to the palace
Fit for a Duchess: Kate Middleton”s stunning wedding gown is going on display at the weekend, alongside other items from the big day
Beauty in the detail: 58 gazar buttons run from the collar to the waist on the gown, while Kate”s veil is made of soft ivory silk tulle and stitched with flowers
Something borrowed: This 1936 Cartier tiara was loaned to Kate by the Queen and contains 1,000 glittering diamonds
Icing on the cake: The top three layers of the cake are replicas, with two saved for the couple”s first child”s Christening, as tradition dictates
The first cut: The mark made by the couple using a ceremonial sword is clearly visible on the bottom tier of the cake
Twinkle toes: The duchess”s hand-stitched shoes were designed by Sarah Burton of Alexander McQueen and are size five-and-a-half
Bouquet of memories: A silk replica of Kate”s flowers include sweet william, myrtle, lily of the valley and hyacinth
Little acorns: The Duchess”s diamond earrings were a present from her parents for the wedding, and bear acorns as a nod to her family”s new coat of arms
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Showstopper: The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, wearing the dress in all its glory, emerge from Westminster Abbey on their wedding day
Spectacular: Pippa Middleton carries the train of her sister”s gown, which was designed by Sarah Burton at Alexander McQueen and described as being sized “small” by the exhibition”s curator