5 Apr 2012

Wax figures of royal couple unveiled

6:45 am on 5 April 2012

Madame Tussauds unveiled waxwork figures of Prince William and the Duchess of Cambridge in London on Wednesday. It expects the couple to be among its main attractions.

The new figures were dressed in replicas of the outfits they wore when announcing their engagement in 2010.

Their engagement and wedding in April last year have triggered a resurgence in the popularity of the monarchy, as Britain celebrates Queen Elizabeth's 60 years on the throne.

Madame Tussauds in New York and Amsterdam were to reveal their own versions of the models on Wednesday wearing different outfits.

In New York, the duchess is dressed in a replica Alexander McQueen floor-length gown. Amsterdam will show her in a version of a lace Alice Temperley number she wore at the premiere of War Horse.

Madame Tussauds said each figure cost around £150,000 to create and took a team of sculptors and hair and colour artists four months to complete.