Kate's Wedding Display at Buckingham Palace

As you no doubt are already aware, the Duchess of Cambridge's dress is on display at Buckingham Palace now until October 3rd.  On Twitter @liltinglimes pointed out that the Queen is extending her traditional summer holiday in Scotland this year to allow the show to run a little longer.  What a deal for everyone!  Kate and the Queen previewed the display yesterday.  The dress must be even more stunning in person, although the presentation leaves a little lacking.  You can understand how the designer of the display would want the dress to be the focal point of attention, but the lighting does leave it looking slightly ghostly.

The Queen has by now very famously been quoted as saying the headless mannequin combined with the lighting is "horrid" and "creepy" although she was laughing at the time, I am with the Telegraph in thinking that it was not a joke.  The poor curator!  One of the most unfortunate drawbacks is that the mannequin is white and not flesh colored. The dress needs the contrast to highlight the beauty of the bodice.  Whatever drawbacks aside, the show is very arresting and is sure to net the palace plenty in ticket sales!

Kate was dressed simply in a white dress and heels, while the Queen wore this flowered print.  They chatted amiably throughout, although frankly this still looks a little awkward to me. Watch this video and tell me it isn't just a bit:

The display just reminds us all anew how absolutely incredible this dress is!  Beautiful fabric, perfect design, it is overwhelming in its taste and quality.  From an historical perspective, it is well worthy to take its place in history among the other British royal brides' wedding creations, and will, I am sure be a masterpiece of which our time period can be quite proud.

One last lovely video can be found here at BBC and includes audio of the Queen: Queen overheard criticising Duchess wedding dress display