Royal Engagement Fever

At last, after months of speculation, Prince William and Kate Middleton have announced that they are to marry next year.

But what kind of wedding dress will the future Queen Catherine wear and who will she choose to design it? No doubt she will follow royal tradition and choose a British designer, perhaps celebrity favourites Alice Temperley or Jenny Packham or classic English designer Phillipa Lepley?

William proposed with his mother's iconic sapphire engagement ring and while Kate said yesterday that the late Princess Diana was 'an inspirational woman' she is unlikely to walk down the aisle in a quite so voluptuous gown as the then Lady Diana did in 1981.

If her engagement dress is anything to go by, her tiny waist could be accentuated with a dress something along the lines of this design from Suzanne Neville's 2010/2011 collection.

Bride's Spy friend Peta Hunt, fashion director at You & Your Wedding Magazine, thinks that she may even choose a demure, high-necked, hand-embroidered lace dress. Perhaps like the one worn by Grace Kelly for her marriage to Prince Rainier of Monaco in 1956?

or this one by designer Justin Alexander?

We think her style indicates she might opt for a simpler dress but maybe with a heavily laced veil - gorgeous! Whatever she chooses we are sure she will look fabulous and every inch the elegant princess.

.....and when she is ready to choose her hair accessories we will be here waiting! ;-)