"Capturing the Essence: The Crown's Rendition of the 2002 Kate Middleton Fashion Show

In the intricate tapestry of Britain's royal history, few threads are woven with the audacious allure of a see-through dress. It was almost predestined that the iconic image of Kate Middleton gracing a student runway in 2002, adorned in next to nothing, would emerge as a pivotal focal point in the concluding episodes of Netflix's The Crown, unveiled today.

Peter Morgan's controversial drama, now in its sixth and final season split into two parts, first delved into the weeks leading up to the tragic demise of Princess Diana and her relationship with Dodi Fayed in 1997. Part two propels us forward to Prince William's St Andrews University days, chronicling the blossoming romance with Kate Middleton. And thus, the stage is set for the resounding arrival of the see-through dress.

Meg Bellamy, the 21-year-old embodiment of a young Middleton in the series, shares her exhilaration in recreating such a pivotal moment in Catherine's history. Strutting down the runway to the seductive tones of Moloko's 2000 hit, "The Time is Now," Bellamy exudes confidence, embodying Kate's calculated choice of attire, knowing that William, then just a friend, is among the cheering students. "I was nervous about wearing it due to its sheerness, but as soon as the day came, Erik [Richter Strand, director] and Polly [Bennett, movement coach] made me feel so comfortable and empowered, and I loved every second."

Yet, beyond the sheer fabric, the scene transcends mere couture. The St Andrews charity fashion show is etched in royal romance lore, believed to be the catalyst for William and Kate's love story. The Crown mirrors this sentiment, portraying William (played by Ed McVey) electrified as he witnesses his then-friend gliding down the catwalk in the transparent garment. In that transformative moment, he resolves that this is the young woman destined to be his future wife."

"Behind the Sheer Elegance: The Intricacies of Recreating Kate Middleton's Iconic 2002 Fashion Show Moment in The Crown

Translating iconic moments from real life to the screen isn't a straightforward task, especially when it involves replicating tangible fashion pieces. Sid Roberts, part of The Crown's award-winning costume design team, led by her mother Amy Roberts since the third season, sheds light on the intricate process. "When you're replicating any piece of clothing that really exists, you have to go to the legal department and see if you're allowed to do it," explains Sid, hinting at the hurdles often encountered in the pursuit of authenticity.

In the case of Kate's sheer dress, originally conceived as a skirt by student designer Charlotte Todd, a significant obstacle presented itself. Todd declined permission to replicate her creation, and the team had to navigate this refusal while ensuring the audience would still recognize the iconic piece. "We had to recreate it, but in a way that would still be recognizable to the audience," shares Amy, highlighting the challenge of maintaining fidelity to the original while introducing five points of difference to satisfy legal constraints.

The meticulous recreation involved subtle alterations, such as tweaking the color of the ribbon along the top and utilizing two different types of netting instead of the original stretchy knit. "The waistband is also totally different," adds Amy, pointing out the distinctiveness introduced to adhere to legal requirements.

Choosing the right underwear became a pivotal aspect of the scene, given its sheer nature. "It was a bandeau bra, which was very big at that time," notes Amy, emphasizing the attention to detail in portraying Kate's casual yet purposeful look. Sid adds, "It needed to look like Kate had just bunged it on."

Equally crucial was ensuring the comfort of Meg Bellamy, the newcomer entrusted with the role of a young Kate Middleton. Bellamy, who stumbled upon the audition through The Crown's Twitter account while working as a mascot in Legoland, found herself at the center of this pivotal scene. "We got about 10 pairs of knickers that she tried on and had a conversation about what she preferred and what we felt was right," says Sid, underlining the collaborative effort to make the actor feel at ease.

For Bellamy, the experience was a whirlwind of adrenaline and excitement. "Filming the scene was such an adrenaline rush," she recalls. "You're thinking so many things beforehand, like: 'What if I trip?' 'What if I bump into someone?' or even 'Why did they have to film this after Christmas?' But honestly, the supporting artists carried me with their cheering, and we had Kylie blasting out of the speakers, so every take we did was so exciting." In the end, the recreation not only captured the essence of a pivotal moment in royal history but also showcased the collaborative magic behind the scenes."

"Nurturing Confidence and Empowerment: The Choreography Behind Kate Middleton's Iconic Fashion Show Scene in The Crown

Collaborating closely with movement coach Polly Bennett, whose expertise has guided actors' physicality on The Crown since its third season, played a crucial role in bringing authenticity to Meg Bellamy's portrayal of a young Kate Middleton. Bennett, mindful of Bellamy's initial nervousness about being part of The Crown, sought to preserve the raw energy that landed her the coveted role. "I didn’t want to over-train her because part of that energy is why she got the part and what we wanted to convey, especially in the fashion show scene," explains Bennett.

Every member of the cast has the opportunity to work with Bennett, and Bellamy began the collaboration almost immediately. For the pivotal runway scene, Bennett employed unconventional yet effective methods. "For this scene, we played loud music and I got Meg to strut in a room, whooping and giving her the feeling of what it would be like to do that in front of a crowd," shares Bennett. Her approach is rooted in psychology, delving into the character's motivations and the impact of their movements on the audience. "What are you doing, who are you doing it for, and what are you revealing about your body?" Bennett contemplates.

The revealing nature of Kate's outfit added an extra layer of complexity to the scene, requiring Bellamy to exude not just confidence but also a sensuality heightened by the awareness of her body being on full display. Bennett addresses this challenge by incorporating a private thought for Bellamy to internalize during the walk. "I gave her a private thought so that what she’s doing is saying something to herself as she’s walking down the catwalk," explains Bennett. It's an old burlesque trick, emphasizing the idea that every action is magnificent, a technique that adds intention to the walk and changes the character's relationship to the space they inhabit.

While the on-screen portrayal might not entirely mirror the rumored real-life reaction of Prince William upon seeing Kate on the runway, the fashion show scene marks a significant moment in the evolving power dynamics between the now Prince and Princess of Wales. "As a famous person, Prince William walks into a room and everyone is looking at him, knowing who he is," notes Bennett. "In this scene, Kate is the one being looked at while he’s on the sidelines. That’s where I think the relationship changes for them." The fashion show becomes a pivotal moment of empowerment for Kate, signaling a shift in the narrative of their burgeoning love story."

"Beyond the Runway: Unveiling the Cultural Tapestry of Kate Middleton's Empowering Fashion Moment in The Crown

Polly Bennett, movement coach for The Crown since its third season, found herself entangled in a serendipitous twist of fate. Attending the St Andrews fashion show in 2002, the same event she directed at Edinburgh University, Bennett now reflects on the peculiar journey from that moment to recreating it on screen. Despite hazy memories from more than two decades ago, Bennett acknowledges the historical significance, stating, "I knew Prince William was there. But there’s no version of this where I looked at Kate Middleton and went, ‘Oh my god, they’re in love!’ She was just another model."

The curious contrast between the unassuming event and its elevated cultural importance today is not lost on Bennett. The original dress, created by Charlotte Todd, achieved iconic status, selling for £78,000 at auction in 2011 despite costing a mere £30 to make. Meg Bellamy, embodying a younger Kate in The Crown, sees the fashion show as a moment of genuine empowerment. "Of course, in the story, she has William partly in mind when deciding to wear the dress, but it’s not a presentation of herself to him. It’s a liberating, bold display of confidence and self-love."

The scene, portraying Kate's younger and freer era, starkly contrasts with the polished and rehearsed image of the present-day Princess of Wales. Sid Roberts, part of The Crown's costume design team, notes, "You’re seeing Kate in her younger, freer era when she isn’t constricted by rules and royal protocol." It's a nostalgic journey, an exploration of a time before the constraints of royal life.

Bennett adds another layer to the allure, suggesting that the runway moment has become iconic because it visually contradicts the present reality of a more restricted life. "People are always going to be interested in celebrities before they were famous," notes Bennett. "And I think that runway moment for Kate has become iconic because you’re seeing somebody that now has a very restricted life, doing something that aesthetically looks more frivolous."

The fascination doesn't stop at aesthetics; it transcends into the realm of romance. The idea of William recognizing Kate as his future wife in that very moment resonates with a universal longing for serendipity. Bennett aptly captures this sentiment, stating, "People want to imagine some sort of Cupid’s arrow between them, and so that moment has become a symbol of a love story."

As The Crown Season Six Part Two unfolds on Netflix, the enduring charm of this fashion show moment continues to captivate audiences, weaving itself into the cultural fabric as an enduring symbol of empowerment, nostalgia, and an unexpected love story."

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