Shortly before the airing of the second part of the final season of The Crown, Netflix released a number of fascinating images from the hit series, offering viewers an intriguing glimpse. Among the photos is a reenactment of Kate Middleton's iconic runway moment at the University of St Andrews, a pivotal chapter in the history of the (real!) crown. About the beginning of a royal love story, assisted by ChatGPT.
The image depicts actor Ed McVie as young Prince William and Meg Bellamy as the future Princess Catherine, sharing a moment that echoes the beginning of their romantic journey. The recreated scene captures the essence of a significant event in 2002, when Kate Middleton, then a second-year college student, was patted on the runway in a see-through dress during a fashion show held at the university for charity.
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The bold fashion statement, a sheer skirt worn as a strapless dress, reportedly caught the eye of the astonished prince, who looked at his friend sitting next to him and said: "Kate is Hot!" ("Kate is hot"!). As far as is known, the two, who until then had only been good friends, became from the same point a couple. Thus began the road to the crown. Today, after the coronation of William's father, King Charles III, they are known as the Prince and Princess of Wales, the future King and Queen of Great Britain.
Netflix's reenactment of this iconic runway moment is not only a tribute to a key chapter in the couple's history, but also an example of the meticulous attention to detail the series is known for. Meg Bellamy walks confidently in a faithful reenactment of the langerie-style dress that catapulted Kate Middleton into the consciousness of the British public. The dress was designed by designer Charlotte Todd, at the time a design student who was asked to propose a model this season as part of a project dubbed "The Art of Seduction." She only had a budget of £50, but she managed to present a model that changed her future. The bold dress that student Kate Middleton chose to wear in front of Prince William played an unexpected role in the royal love story, and gained worldwide fame. It was later sold at auction for £78,<>, which formed the basis for the designer and her husband's first home.
Set against the backdrop of the late 90s and early millennium, the final season of The Crown explores key moments, from Princess Diana's tragic death in 1997 to Prince William's courtship of Kate Middleton. The prestigious production, visual richness, polished acting and various nuances promise viewers an addictive candy that will undoubtedly be difficult to part with.
While the reenactment of Kate Middleton's runway moment is just one snapshot from the upcoming season, it serves as a reminder of the power of fashion in shaping not only personal narratives, but also a reminder of its impact in a broader historical sense.
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