Peeking through the gates at Buckingham Palace, June 2010

The lace appliqué for the bodice and skirt was hand-made by the Royal School of Needlework, based at Hampton Court Palace.  The lace design was hand-engineered (appliquéd) using the Carrickmacross lace-making technique, which originated in Ireland in the 1820s.  Individual flowers have been hand-cut from lace and hand-engineered onto ivory silk tulle to create a unique and organic design, which incorporates the rose, thistle, daffodil and shamrock.

I am totally fascinated with the details that the royal wedding people have posted about Kate’s dress.  Swoon.  The Royal School of Needlework is on my agenda for the next time I visit London.

Yes, I did get up at 4:30 am to watch the wedding.  Someone said to me tonight that you either are a “royals” person or emphatically not.  There weren’t many other fans around me today, so I had to celebrate quietly to myself.  I watched Charles and Diana’s wedding.  I was 7 and she was a really truly princess and I was enchanted.  I couldn’t not watch this one.  My mom told me once that my middle name “Elizabeth” is partly in honor of Elizabeth I and since I was a teenager, I read every book I stumbled across that features her.  So I think I fall pretty much solidly in the “fan of the royals” category.

The Queen was lovely in yellow and Pippa, Kate’s sister, looked amazing in her dress as well – love that cowl and the tiny buttons on the back.  I would have worn any of those dresses!  Unfortunately, I think Princesses Eugenie and Beatrice looked pretty frightful (too much makeup, ugh!)  Some of the religious type officials had the most beautiful resonant speaking voices it was lovely just to listen.  Sigh.  Feeling sleep deprived but had a great time watching.

I had big plans also to watch the launch of Space Shuttle Endeavor this afternoon, but sadly that got postponed until Monday.  Something to look forward to.