4 things I love about Kate Middleton’s iconic wedding veil (and 1 thing I don’t!)
CELEBRITY WEDDING VEIL ANALYSIS
Back in 2011, when I watched Prince William marry the then Kate Middleton, I immediately knew her wedding veil would become one of the most iconic of all time.
The thing that really stood out to me was just how simply elegant, timeless, and classic it looked. But what made it so special?
01
IT’S A DROP VEIL - A FEATURE I’VE NOTICED ACROSS MOST ROYAL WEDDINGS
A drop veil means it doesn't have a gather of tulle onto the comb. And it means that it gives a really lovely silhouette of the head, without any bulking or bunching up at the back.
What's really beautiful about her veil is that it's attached to a very thin lining at the bottom of her tiara, so it's invisible. She doesn't have the comb in her hair, so it all acts as one piece rather than two.
Now that doesn't mean if you don't have a tiara, you can't wear a drop veil! It's simply attached to a comb instead and it gives a near-invisible look. It gives a clean way of attaching your veil without needing to worry about hairpins and how skilled your hairdresser is on the day!
JULIETTA DROP VEIL
THE JULIETTA
If you love the clean lines and effortless style of a drop veil, the Julietta embroidered flower veil is the veil for you. Created in soft tulle, it perfectly frames the head without adding the unnecessary bulk or poof of a gathered blusher.
Inspired by Meghan Markle's veil, this exquisite design also offers a timeless Royal Wedding chic.
PURE SILK VEIL
02
IT’S MADE OF PURE SILK, WITH AN INTENTIONALLY WEIGHTED EDGE
Her veil was a pure silk veil - perhaps unsurprisingly! - and it was embroidered by the Royal School of Needlework. Each little floral motif will have been drawn out, and then hand-embroidered around the edge.
The nice thing about that is it just adds a little bit of weight, and when you look at some of the photos, the wind beautifully catches the silk. If it didn't have any weight on the edge, the veil quite probably would have been flying away and she'd have been having to fight it, which would not really go with the whole luxury Royal Wedding vibe!
SKYE PURE SILK VEIL
THE SKYE
Silk offers an unparalleled level of quality and feel - and the Skye silk veil is the softest veil you will find. Unlike many silk veils which use a blend (always check the fine print!) our French silk is 100% pure and doesn’t combine with polyester or polyamide.
Want to feel the difference for yourself?
Check out our pure silk tulle sample.
DELICATE LACE EDGE
SEEKING YOUR OWN ROYAL-INSPIRED BRIDAL LOOK?
AS A FORMER COSTUME MAKER FOR THE ROYAL OPERA HOUSE, SOPHIE RAVAL'S VEILS OFFER THE EPITOME OF ENGLISH HERITAGE LUXURY.
03
THERE WERE MEANINGFUL TOUCHES WITH THE BLUSHER
The blusher is the front part of the veil that covers the face, and is then lifted, after which it sits at the back. That’s why a veil with a blusher is known as a two-tier veil.
With Kate’s veil, there are some really small bits of floral lace placed so that when the blusher is forwards, you don't see them. In fact, they actually sit right over her heart. And I imagine it was a subtle but beautiful way of representing someone who wasn’t there.
One of the nice details about a two-tier veil is that it gives you the classic waterfall effect at the back - that lovely cascade of tulle. It’s particularly beautiful when that's edged, as is the case with this veil.
Going for the more traditional two-tier look was also a touching reference to Princess Diana’s bridal look, and in a way that wasn’t quite so 80s.
Aside from the blusher design, I thought it was a really special moment when her Dad lifted it. It’s quite an intimate moment because it's that final ‘reveal’ of the bride - often it’s the groom or a bridesmaid that lifts the veil, but I loved the fact she wanted her Dad to do it.
SENTIMENTAL LACE
THE ISLA
ELIANA BLUSHER VEIL
THE ELIANA
We love a blusher - especially when it creates that waterfall edge. It’s a classic nod to the past without being stuffy. The Eliana was inspired by Sofia Richie’s dew drop veil and if you’re looking for the perfect waterfall blusher this is our all time fave!
Personal subtle details are always a yes from us! Your wedding day is so carefully curated over months, sometimes years, of hard work and dedication. We think every aspect should be perfect down to the finest detail. Adding a sentimental touch, however small, makes a big difference on the day. Our Isla name embroidery is the most popular way to subtly mark the significance of the occasion.
04
THERE WAS SO MUCH LOVE AND CARE THAT WENT INTO IT
I estimate this veil would have taken around 100 hours of work. 10 to 20 hours of sketching out the designs of each individual piece, and sampling them in silk thread. And then around 80 hours to embroider, possibly more!
With royal weddings - and big celebrity weddings - I also know that they have a 20 minute hand washing policy. Anyone working on the dresses or veils has to wash their hands every 20 minutes, just to make sure that there's no oil or dirt on their hands.
05
THE JULIETTA
If you truly want the epitome of understated luxury like Kate, and you have the eye for detail, our Julietta embroidered flower veil is the veil for you. Each flower is individually hand drawn and embroidered to give the perfect meadow feel. As a designer, it’s the veil that makes my heart sing.
Inspired by my Cotswolds cottage garden, the delicate embroidery creates the quintessentially English look.
ISLA PERSONAL EMBROIDERY
JULIETTA INTRICATE EMBROIDERY
ONE THING I'D CHANGE
There is one thing I would change! I will always be a long veil girl. I feel that if you're going to wear a veil, it's really nice to have a length that doesn't interrupt the silhouette at the waist - which I think Kate’s veil does, looking at side profile pictures. It interrupts the line of the dress - and particularly in an A line dress, it’s key that you get that clear view of your waist being the smallest part.
NINA FLORAL LACE VEIL
THE SILHOUETTE
THE NINA
A long veil will naturally pull away from your dress as you walk - but what works even better is having a heavy lace edge. It means it will never interrupt the line of your skirt, whilst always beautifully framing your train!
The Nina floral lace veil - although very different in style - encapsulates the floral theme whilst giving you the classic silhouette. As with all our hand crafted veils, each flower is individually cut and sewn, ensuring the highest possible finish.
IF YOU LOVE KATE’S CUSTOM VEIL, OR WANT TO INCORPORATE SOME OF HER FEATURES INTO YOUR BRIDAL LOOK, WE WOULD LOVE TO HEAR YOUR IDEAS!
