Kate & Wills: Is that really you?

We’ve all been dreaming of this moment: Prince William on bended knee, finally asking his ever-patient girlfriend Kate Middleton to be his bride. The blush in his royal cheeks as he pops the question, the rapture on her face at first sight of the ring… it’s the stuff of fairytale fantasy – and that’s exactly what it is!

In recent weeks, wedding talk has reached fever pitch with whispers coming from Buckingham Palace that the young royal couple are set to get engaged – but until the much-anticipated announcement, this clever piece of photographic mischief will have to suffice.

Award-winning British photographer Alison Jackson, who’s famous for her shots of celebrity lookalikes, tapped into the public’s expectations to create her vision of Wills and Kate’s engagement and a wedding-dress fitting. She used an uncanny Wills lookalike and two fake Kates – one for the body and another for the face.

‘I try to depict what the public are thinking about, and everyone’s been waiting for ages for an announcement about William and Kate,’ she tells the UK Sunday Times magazine.
‘I did consider a shot of her writing “Marry me!” on his chest. Maybe that’s next!’

Alison’s imagining of Kate’s gown – a simple, modern white frock – has sparked keen interest. Already, top UK designers have drawn up sketches, hoping to dress Kate’s elegant model figure. Even Elizabeth Emanuel, co-designer of Princess Diana’s bridal dress, came up with a Kate design for Hello! magazine. It features off-white moss crepe, a close-fit bodice, lace embroidered with tiny crystals and a silk tulle veil attached to a tiara.
‘Maybe the one worn by Diana,’ she said wishfully.

The big day will surely come soon. February 24, 2011 – the 30th anniversary of Charles and Diana’s engagement announcement – is tipped as the day Wills and Kate, both 28, will make their news official. July 1 – what would have been Diana’s 50th – and July 29, the day Diana and Charles married, are firming as wedding-day favourites.