Kate Middleton’s Wedding Dress by Sarah Burton for Alexander McQueen

LONDON – As the bookies predicted, Kate Middleton‘s wedding dress has been designed by fashion designer Sarah Burton for British fashion House Alexander McQueen. The lace-sleeved “v-necked” ivory silk and gown with a corset basque, full skirt and 20ft train provoked gasps of admiration as Kate arrived at Westminster Abbey. PHOTOS: What Kate Middleton and famous guests wore to the wedding

A smiling Kate looked calm and composed took her father’s hand to take her down the red-carpeted aisle to the sounds of the choir. PHOTOS: Kate Middleton and Prince William say “I Do”

British designers including Sophie Cranston, Erdem, Alice Temperley and Bruce Oldfield, had been mooted as possible choices, but in the end Kate went with a very contemporary choice.

Burton, who had worked as Alexander McQueen’s assistant for 14 years before his suicide last year, has also designed for Lady Gaga, Gwyneth Paltrow and Cate Blanchett.

The designer’s identity has been one of the best kept secrets in recent media history. Despite feverish speculation about who would be chosen, the Middleton family and Clarence House managed to keep it secret right up until the moment Kate emerged outside Westminster Abbey.

See our galleries of the wackiest Royal wedding celebrations, and famous Royal weddings.