Duchess’ wedding gown breaks records

More than 600,000 people have visited the Duchess of Cambridge’s wedding gown during the 10-weeks on which it was on display. This record-breaking figure outstrips the previous record of 420,000 visitors, set in 1994, and an increase

of almost 50% on the previous year, which attracted 413,000 visitors. To put these figures into perspective the Alexander McQueen retrospective Savage Beauty attracted 661,509 people to the Met in New York.

A spokeswoman for the Royal Collection, which organised the annual exhibit commented, “We have enjoyed welcoming visitors from all over the world to the Palace in record numbers this summer – it has been an incredibly busy few months and we’re delighted that it’s been such a huge success.”

Palace officials have not yet released a figure for the amount of money raised by the summer opening, which closed on October 3, but it would equate to £10.5m worth of sales at the full ticket price of £17.50. Further millions are estimated due to the sales made in the official Palace gift shops.

The Duchess of Cambridge's wedding dress designed by Sarah Burton of Alexander McQueen, was accompanied by an artificial version of the bride's bouquet and the original wedding cake in the exhibition. The delicate lace and satin wedding dress will now be put into storage, with no plans for it to go on public display again for several years.

Image: The Royal Collection/PA