Netflix’s The Crown’s Season 6, Episode 9 transports viewers to a significant event in the early 2000s: the “Don’t Walk” charity fashion show at St Andrews University, where Meg Bellamy’s character Kate Middleton, then 19 years old, wears a sheer dress that catches Prince William’s (Ed McVey) eye. With William’s eyes on Kate as she confidently walks the runway, this scene is portrayed as a watershed in their relationship. The dramatized version of this event that is seen on TV, however, is not as complex as the true story.
The Fashion Show ‘Don’t Walk’: A Charity Project
The St Andrews Bay Hotel hosted the “Don’t Walk” fashion show on March 26, 2002. The event, which was planned by St Andrews University’s international students, was intended to collect money for the 9/11 terrorist attacks’ victims and their families. Kate Middleton, then a first-year student studying art history, participated as a model in the show. Sitting close to the runway, Prince William, who had already met Kate that year, was part of a group of friends that attended the event. Both had not yet established a romantic relationship and were still seeing other individuals.
A student created Kate’s iconic dress.
Charlotte Todd, a fellow St Andrews student, created the garment that attracted so much attention. The hand-knitted silk outfit, which was made of a sheer brown fabric with a turquoise band and ribbon embellishment, only cost Todd thirty pounds. The dress was originally meant to be a skirt, but Kate ended up wearing it strapless. Todd later said she was surprised that Kate chose to wear it because she didn’t know who Kate Middleton was. The dress gained notoriety after it brought £78,000 at auction in 2011.
The Dramatic Interpretation of the Crown
The fashion exhibition is shown as a pivotal point in Kate and William’s relationship in The Crown. In the show, Kate chooses the dress after spotting William in the crowd, which results in a kiss and a romantic conversation during the after-party. However, this dramatization takes liberties with the genuine events. Actually, it wasn’t until later that year that Kate and William started dating; they were still friends at the time. Four days after the fashion show, not on the same day, the Queen Mother passed away, which is depicted as interfering with their moment in the series.
The Fallout: From Companions to Partners
After the fashion show, Kate and William remained friends, and it has been stated that during a difficult time, William sought Kate’s counsel. By the time their first year of college was up, William had decided that Kate would be his possible roommate for his second year. They started dating in the summer of 2002, and their relationship developed over time. As they managed the demands of college life and the public’s scrutiny of their relationship, their friendship grew stronger.
The Fashion Show’s Importance
The fashion presentation helped change William’s opinion of Kate, even though it did not immediately lead to a love relationship between Kate and William. William’s friends at the time remember how the occasion changed his perception of Kate, highlighting her self-assurance and presence on the catwalk. This moment contributed to the growth of their friendship, which later bloomed into a romantic partnership. Country & Town WebTimes
The Creative Liberties of the Crown
The Crown is renowned for its dramatic depictions of historical occurrences, frequently fusing fact and fiction to produce gripping stories. The show takes artistic license with timelines and character interactions, but it nonetheless effectively conveys the spirit of the fashion show and how it affected Kate and William’s relationship. Instead than seeing the series as a documentary about events, viewers should treat it as historical fiction. Vanity Fair
Media Coverage and Public Reaction
With tabloids and news sources discussing Kate’s bold ensemble and its possible effects on her relationship with Prince William, the fashion show attracted a lot of media attention. The occasion signaled the start of heightened public interest in Kate Middleton, who would go on to play a significant role in the royal family. The young couple’s relationship became increasingly fascinating as a result of the show’s media coverage.
The Dress’s Lasting Legacy
An iconic item of fashion history is the outfit that Kate Middleton wore. The garment became known as a representation of the couple’s early connection after they got engaged in 2010. Charlotte Todd, the designer, pondered on the dress’s significance, noting its unexpected journey from a student project to a piece of royal history. The dress’s cultural and historical significance was brought to light during the auction.
Conclusion: Real or Fake
One of the most significant occasions in Kate Middleton and Prince William’s relationship was the “Don’t Walk” fashion exhibition at St Andrews University. Although parts of this moment are dramatized in The Crown, the true narrative is one of friendship gradually turning into romance. The story of the couple’s romance, which led to their eventual marriage and life as the Prince and Princess of Wales, was shaped by the fashion show, the famous dress, and the public’s obsession with them. Brides +3