Royal Wedding: Mothers and stepmothers play it safe

April 29, 2011 3:05 AM PT

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Carole Middleton, mother of the bride, played it safe in a pale blue suit by Catherine Walker, who was one of Princess Diana’s favorite designers. Although Walker died in 2010, her namesake label lives on under the name Catherine Walker & Co.

The French-born designer, who founded her label in 1977, created more than 1,000 outfits for Diana during the princess’ lifetime. And in 1997, Diana was buried in a black Catherine Walker dress.

Carole Middleton reportedly tried several dresses before settling on the tailored ensemble, which is nipped in beautifully at the waist.

Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall is wearing a champagne-colored box-pleated coat and simple dress by British designer Anna Valentine, a longtime collaborator. Valentine has been credited with transforming Camilla’s frumpy image, designing her wedding dress in 2005.

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-- Booth Moore

All the Rage

Booth Moore

As Los Angeles Times fashion critic from 2004-15, Booth Moore logged tens of thousands of miles covering the runways from L.A. to Paris and interviewing style leaders such as Karl Lagerfeld, Tom Ford and Donatella Versace.