From The Straits Times    |

Kate Middleton makes surprise visit to thank wedding dress stitchersBritain’s Duchess of Cambridge paid a private visit to personally thank her wedding gown dressmakers yesterday.

The 30-year-old beauty wore a gorgeous lace gown by British fashion house Alexander McQueen for her wedding to Britain’s Prince William last April.

The Sarah Burton-designed dress garnered much praise, and Catherine took the time to thank the embroiderers at the Royal School of Needlework at Hampton Court Palace in private yesterday.
    
According to British newspaper the Daily Telegraph, around 30 members of staff turned out to greet the royal.

“Catherine was keen to express her gratitude in person to the women who worked so hard on her dress,” a source told the paper. “She was very conscious of the pressure that they were under.”
    
The royal’s dress was a top secret affair so even the team at the London school didn’t know the identity of the dress designer until the announcement was made on the day of the highly-anticipated nuptials.
    
Susan Kay-Williams, the school’s chief executive, was thrilled that Catherine came along to show her gratitude.
    
“It was lovely to meet the Duchess of Cambridge and to show her what the Royal School of Needlework does,” she said.
    
The gown is rumoured to have cost around £40,000 and was hand-stitched. The dressmakers wore gloves to keep the dress in tip-top condition. © COVER MEDIA