Less than two months after Benedict Cumberbatch and Sophie Hunter married in secret, fans have been given a glimpse of the theatre director's show-stopping wedding dress. A photo posted on Instagram by Valentino showed the gown in all its glory.
As seen in the snap, Sophie, 37, seems to have gone down the less traditional route and opted for a silver grey wedding gown.
The dress, which featured an elegant high neckline, long sleeves and a sweeping train, is described as a "high-waisted medieval gown".
Sophie Hunter's growing baby bump was barely visible
According to Vogue, Sophie brought her paper mood boards to a meeting with the Valentino designers and during their three-hour brainstorm session, she showed them Anna Karenina-inspired dresses and Gustav Klimt landscapes.
The result was the exquisite, pale silver dress, embroidered with motifs of vines and pomegranates.
Although Sophie was in the second trimester of her pregnancy, her growing bump was barely visible. The dress acknowledged her bump, but didn't emphasise it.
"It seemed to encapsulate everything I'd been speaking about," the English Rose said. "It feels very much of nature, and it's so detailed and extraordinary that I'm still trying to get my head around how beautiful it is."
© Photo: Getty ImagesSophie Hunter said of her wedding dress: "I'm still trying to get my head around how beautiful it is"
Sophie was also presented with a matching silk velvet cape, in case of rain on her big day. The beautiful bride had thought about borrowing a veil that belonged in the family, but she decided the heirloom was "too ornate".
Her "something blue" was her Tiffany engagement ring, which Sophie described as having a certain "delicacy".
While Valentino usually takes at least six months to create a gown, Sophie's couture dress was completed in just three. Celebrity photographer Annie Liebowitz was then flown out to Rome to shoot the fitting.
© Photo: Getty ImagesSophie Hunter's "something blue" was her Tiffany engagement ring from Benedict Cumberbatch
Sophie followed in the footsteps of Anne Hathaway, Tatiana Santo Domingo, Princess Madeleine of Sweden and Queen Maxima of the Netherlands – other brides who have wed in Valentino.
The luxury fashion house captioned their Instagram photo: "Beautiful Sophie Hunter with Creative Directors Maria Grazia Chiuri and Pierpaolo Piccioli prepping her couture dress for her March wedding to Benedict Cumberbatch. #magicmoment #sophiehunter #benedictcumberbatch photographed by #AnnieLeibovitz."
© Photo: Getty ImagesSophie Hunter and Benedict Cumberbatch in a private ceremony on the Isle of Wight
Questions were raised about the exact date of Benedict and Sophie's wedding after the Instagram post. The couple married on Valentine's Day on the Isle of Wight, though Valentino's caption states the nuptials took place this month.
The Sherlock star and his leading lady said "I do" at the medieval church of St Peter & St Paul in Mottistone. Following the ceremony the parents-to-be headed to the stunning period property of Mottistone Manor for their reception.
"Sophie is one of the Nicholsons, which is why they have chosen to have it here," a source told People. "The Nicholson family used to own the manor until they sold it to the National Trust. It's a beautiful house."
Guests at the couple's nuptials included British actors Tom Hiddleston, Tobias Menzies and Andrew Scott – who plays Moriarty in Sherlock. Absent from proceedings were Benedict's long-time friend and co-star Keira Knightley and Dame Judi Dench, whom he has known since he was very young.
