Kate Middleton’s Wedding Dress Update: Gown Will Have V-neck, Sleeves, and Train

By Anne Chertoff 04/20/11 at 03:30 PM

Photo: Getty Images

Kate Middleton’s wedding dress will have sleeves, a V neckline, and a train.

FashionEtc has confirmed that Kate Middleton’s royal wedding dress will have a V neckline.

The gown that the bride-to-be is planning to wear for her April 29 nuptials to Prince William is also expected to have sleeves and be floor length with a train—though not as long as Princess Diana’s 25-footer.

“After just returning from New York’s Bridal Fashion Week, lace sleeves were a big trend and designers cited the royal wedding and Kate Middleton as their inspiration,” wedding planner Mark Niemierko says. “Monique Lhuillier’s Catherine Chantilly lace gown with long sleeves is the perfect example of this trend.” Niemierko is not planning Middleton’s nuptials.

This past weekend it was reported that Sophie Cranston of Libélula was designing Middleton’s wedding dress, but the company has denied the rumors in an e-mailed statement:

“Libélula has a company policy of not commenting on any of the work they do for private clients; however, due to the unprecedented media attention, they would like to make the following statement: We are not designing Kate Middleton’s wedding dress. We, like everyone else, can’t wait to find out who is!”

FashionEtc has also confirmed that Phillipa Lepley, named in December 2010 as a front-runner for the coveted wedding-dress-designer position, is also no longer in the mix. And a royal insider tells us that rumors of Alexander McQueen ’s Sarah Burton landing the plum assignment are untrue.

As we previously reported, the future princess supposedly designed her own wedding dress and hired a dressmaker to create the Renaissance-inspired gown, which includes a “nod” to Prince William’s late mother.

Word is, however, that Jasper Conran will be designing at least one wedding dress for Middleton. She is said to have ordered three dresses—two backup wedding dresses in case her first choice is leaked to the press.

In the meantime, get exclusive details on Kate Middleton’s makeup for the big day.

For all things Will and Kate, check out our Royal Wedding Watch.