A FASHION designer who made the dress which won Prince William’s heart is to judge a Diamond Jubilee fancy dress competition in Chipping Sodbury.
Charlotte Todd created the see-through dress worn by Kate Middleton at a Scottish university fashion show in 2002 whilst in her second year at the University of the West of England.
She made it as a skirt and was later invited to send some examples of her work for a charity catwalk show at St Andrew's University where William and Kate were both studying.
Charlotte, 32, of Bedminster in Bristol, nearly didn’t send the knitted dress but decided to add the piece, made for a project called the Art of Seduction as part of her degree in fashion textiles, at the last minute.
She said: "That dress has changed my life.
"But it was all very lucky. I might never have sent it, Kate Middleton might never have worn it, I am very lucky."
The dress, which Kate notably grabbed Prince William’s attention whilst modelling, was sold at auction just before the couple married in 2011 for £64,000 plus £13,000 fees.
Added Charlotte: "When I decided to sell it I couldn’t believe it was given a reserve of £10,000 but I still didn’t really think it would sell.
"The auction day was the maddest of my life. It is so bizarre to think it stayed in my mum’s cupboard for eight years when any of my family could touch it and now you would be arrested if you tried to get anywhere near it."
Charlotte will choose a winner of the Kings and Queens themed fancy dress competition on Sunday, June 3 during two days of celebrations in Chipping Sodbury to mark The Queen’s Diamond Jubilee.
Festivities begin with an open air church service in Broad Street on Sunday, June 3 (10.30am). Then from 12noon the community is expected to turn out in force for a traditional street party. The road will be closed and people are invited to bring their own tables and chairs to enjoy an afternoon of entertainment on a specially-erected stage.
Performers will include Sodbury Players, Razzamatazz Theatre School, bands Before the Storm and By the Second, New Generation Dance as well as children’s rides, Punch and Judy shows and a clown. Period singer Katie Salt will perform songs from the 1940s to present day (5pm) ending with a rousing rendition of the National Anthem before a raffle is drawn.
Two rare vintage cars, a 1952 Ford Popular and a 1952 Austin Champ, will be displayed on the High Street to publicise the Chipping Sodbury Classic Car Run which takes place later in June.
The town’s pubs and restaurants will be open with their own entertainment throughout the day and evening.
On Monday, June 4 (from 1pm) celebrations move to The Ridings, on Wickwar Road, where local sports groups will stage rugby, cricket, tennis and football matches as well as children’s activities and tournaments. Hot food and refreshments will be available and the bars will be open.
In the evening, a giant screen will relay the official Diamond Jubilee concert from Buckingham Palace followed by Chipping Sodbury’s first public fireworks display for 10 years and the lighting of the town’s beacon.
The events have been organised by Sodbury Jubilee Committee, made up of local people and spearheaded by town mayor Cllr Paul Jobbins.
He said: "The idea to celebrate in Chipping Sodbury came from a feeling that we missed a chance with the Royal Wedding last year. So I kicked it off.
"Although I was very young, of course, I remember the coronation and the atmosphere it created at the time.
"It just seems something that youngsters can get involved with and will remember forever. It is a big event and is only the second time in history we have had a Diamond Jubilee in this country."
For further details visit search Sodbury Jubilee Celebrations on Facebook or visit www.mysodbury.co.uk
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