Hertfordshire wedding gown designer Christine Kendall has accused Alexander McQueen creative director Sarah Burton of copying her design to create the £40,000 custom-made dress worn by Kate Middleton for the royal wedding. A claim filed by Ms Kendall with the Intellectual Property Enterprise Court in London is alleging breach of copyright over the design.

'This claim is ridiculous'

Alexander McQueen has swung back at the lawsuit and spoken publicly about its interactions with Ms Kendall, which reportedly began around a year after the Royal wedding when the 'knockoff' allegation was first brought up with the fashion house. 'Sarah Burton never saw any of Ms Kendall's designs or sketches and did not know of Ms Kendall before Ms Kendall got in touch with us – some 13 months after the wedding. We do not know why Ms Kendall has raised this again, but there are no ifs, ands or buts here: this claim is ridiculous,' said a statement from Alexander McQueen.

Royals not involved

Ms Kendall has claimed that she showed sketches of her design to Kate Middleton herself prior to the Royal wedding. However, she has been quick to clarify that none of the Royal family are being accused of wrongdoing. A spokesperson for the Royal family has denied that the Duchess ever saw Ms Kendall's sketches.

Sources: Australasian Lawyer; Fashionista; Lawyer Herald