I can’t help but join in on the excitement about Prince William’s engagement to Kate Middleton.  I have vivid memories of waking up early to watch the wedding of Prince Charles to Diana Spencer.  This royal wedding is sure to have the same media and public frenzy.  For me, both stories are proof that a girl really can dream of becoming a princess!

There has already been a tremendous amount of speculation on the wedding, but the question I have been thinking about most these days is, “How will Kate manage to be the bride she wants to be amidst the royal and public pressure of the bride she should be?”

One of the first decisions a bride makes about how she will outwardly express her own personality and style on her wedding day is in the selection of her wedding gown.  Every bride can relate to the struggle of what to wear on your wedding day.  It is a day when you want to look and feel your most fabulous!

Weddings within the House of Windsor span the decades.   Long trains are a must for those dramatic walks down the aisle.  Sleeves and a modest neckline will be necessary too.  Oh, and don’t forget the tiara!

I don’t envy the designer challenged with creating a gown that transforms Kate Middleton into Princess Catherine, future Queen of England, with all the world, and more importantly, The Queen of England, looking over their shoulder.   For Kate’s sake, I hope  that she can work with a designer who can combine decorum with drama and youthful whimsy with timelessness to design a gown that very much encompasses Kate the bride.  Not an easy task!

Will one of these British designers carry the fashion flag for the future of the British monarchy?