Kate Middleton Dazzles in Alexander McQueen Dress, Conjures Up Image of Princess Diana

Fashion
Kate Middleton wore a black velvet McQueen dress to the Sun Military Awards
Kate Middleton wore a black velvet McQueen dress to the Sun Military Awards

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and Prince Harry put on their formal attire for Monday's Sun Military Awards at London's Imperial War Museum. Kate Middleton, 29, revisited her wedding dress designer for the occasion, wearing a stunning black velvet gown by Alexander McQueen as they honored 11 members of the United Kingdom's armed forces for their heroism during wartime.

The dress featured a fishtail hemline and ruffled sweetheart neckline perfect for a future princess, while the slim silhouette seems to have proved once and for all the Middleton is not pregnant. Also noteworthy is the strapless design which showed off Middleton's shoulders-typically covered up with more conservative sleeves.

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Princess Diana wore a similar black strapless dress with Prince Charles and Princess Grace of Monaco in 1981
Princess Diana wore a similar black strapless dress with Prince Charles and Princess Grace of Monaco in 1981

If you feel the design looks familiar, you are not alone. The Duchess's gown is drawing comparisons to a very similar satin style Princess Diana wore thirty years ago at her first public engagement with Prince Charles in 1981. According to Grazia, Diana was 19 when she wore the black strapless design by Elizabeth and David Emanuel, who later designed her wedding dress.

Elizabeth Emanuel has said of Princess Diana's dress, "The transformation was incredible. She arrived looking like the nursery school teacher she was, but now she looked like a movie star." It's safe to say Diana's black gown sparked a fascination with her sartorial choices not unlike our current obsession with Middleton's. Last year, Diana's dress sold at auction for over $300,000 to a fashion museum in Chile.


Middleton wore diamond and ruby jewels that she received as a wedding gift from a family friend
Middleton wore diamond and ruby jewels that she received as a wedding gift from a family friend

The Duchess of Cambridge accessorized her dress with a set of breathtaking jewels. According to ELLE UK, St. James's Palace says the diamond and ruby star-burst necklace and matching bracelet and earrings were wedding gifts from a family friend. Black Prada heels, a black clutch, and the sapphire and diamond engagement ring that once belong to Princess Diana completed the festive holiday ensemble. Only time will tell if Middleton's dress will hold up against the original.


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