Kate Middleton's dress designer appeared to hide from the cameras while sneaking into the Goring Hotel yesterday (28th April 2011). The identity of Kate Middleton's dress designer has been a closely guarded secret, but BBC NEWS report that "a distinctive belt and pair of ballet pumps" may have given the game away.

While the bride's dress will only be revealed when Kate Middleton walks into Westminster Abbey today, speculation is mounting that the woman seen arriving at the bride's hotel was the designer SARAH BURTON. Although the mystery figure hid her face, her shoes and belt could provide clues to her identity. According to the Daily Telegraph's fashion editor HILARY ALEXANDER, Manchester-born designer Burton is rarely photographed "but when she is, the metal belt, buckled, and then individually slotted backwards, and the flat pumps, are present". The Alexander McQueen creative director made the famous red and black poppy dress worn by Michelle Obama for a state dinner as well as the wedding dress of SARA BUYS. Burton joined MCQueen's studio as an intern in 1996, working alongside the legendary designer on his collections for 12 years before he committed suicide in February 2010.

BRUCE OLDFIELD, the British designer who was heavily tipped to design Kate Middleton's wedding dress, ruled himself out earlier this week.