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Sometimes a dress is just a dress. But not in Kate Middleton's case, writes Gregory Katz.
Her wedding dress will be the symbol of her transformation from commoner to princess, from Kate to Catherine, and define her image to billions of people as they watch her exchange vows with Prince William next spring.
This dress must be elegant, memorable and perfectly fitted. There are delicate balances to be struck: modern but traditional; alluring but not too sexy; classy but not overly opulent - more grown up than Princess Diana's famous meringue confection, with its puffy sleeves and 25-foot train.
Whatever the ultimate choice, expectations are sky high.
Middleton has natural good looks and a radiant smile - people seem to wish her well, even if she will be able to afford a dream dress that is far beyond most people's reach.
The dress can be expected to shed the best possible light on the designer's entire collection, and is likely to be widely copied in lower-priced versions that will be sold throughout the world, although it is likely the designer will not benefit directly from these imitations, certainly not from Manama souq.
Now that an April 29 date has been set - with high hopes of fine spring weather - the guessing game about the choice of the designer, and the style of the gown, has begun in earnest.
The palace hopes to keep the designer and design top secret until that dramatic moment when Middleton walks down the aisle. Like any bride, Middleton will want to maximize the impact of her arrival.
The age of instant internet communication and the constant presence of people carrying cellphone cameras will make this goal more difficult, so it is likely that designers will be smuggled in to see Middleton with strict orders to avoid attracting attention.
She will have as one of her guideposts the stunning antique lace, silk taffeta and tulle wedding gown worn by actress Grace Kelly when she married Monaco's Prince Rainier in 1956. That unique creation has set a standard for royal weddings that has been difficult to match.
