A SCHOOL has spoken of its pride in an ex-student who designed Pippa Middleton’s wedding dress.

Giles Deacon, who attended Barnard Castle School, designed the dress which was worn by the sister of Kate Middleton at her wedding to James Matthews – the brother of Made in Chelsea’s Spencer Matthews – at the weekend

Born in Darlington, Mr Deacon, who was crowned Designer of the Year at the British Fashion Awards in 2006, attended the school as a dayboy until 1988.

He grew up in the Lake District and wanted to become a marine biologist but, after failing his chemistry A-Level, ended up on an art foundation course.

Alan Stevens, head teacher at Barnard Castle School, said: “It is wonderful to see an Old Barnadian doing so well in his chosen field.

“There is a real buzz among our children since the wedding, many of who have aspirations to study design, textiles, art and fashion.

“Giles’ success shows the students who leave Barnard Castle School are well prepared by their time here, and the breadth of talent sees them equally likely to compete at the highest levels of the fashion world as it does in medicine or elite sport.”

Mr Deacon is no stranger to designing outfits for royal occasions, having previously worked on the dress worn by Princess Beatrice.

He has also designed outfits for other A-list celebrities including Scarlett Johansson, Drew Barrymore, Agyness Deyn, Thandie Newton and Victoria Beckham.

Pippa and James tied the knot at the picturesque St Mark’s church in the Berkshire village of Englefield on Saturday.

The society nuptials of the year was witnessed by family, close friends and famous faces including tennis star Roger Federer and wife Mirka, celebrity Donna Air, Princess Eugenie, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and Prince Harry, as well as Prince George and Princess Charlotte.

Prince Harry reportedly made a 100-mile round trip to bring girlfriend Meghan Markle to the reception.

The Duchess of Cambridge had her hands full when looking after the pageboys and bridesmaids the wedding – and at one point was forced to tell the children to be quiet.

Kate kept the group, all thought to be aged under five, under control and was photographed with her finger to her lips as she told the youngsters to “ssh” just before the wedding ceremony began.

One little boy proved a little difficult as he was spotted sticking his tongue out at one moment and was also photographed with his fingers in a V-sign.

The duchess arrived with the young group, who wore outfits by exclusive children’s clothing company Pepa & Co, and marshalled them back into the two luxury limousines that ferried them to the church.

As they drove away, future king George gave a wave to the small group of photographers and cameramen capturing the social event.

After the ceremony, the bride and groom led the way for their wedding guests to the nearby Englefield House, where a champagne reception was staged in its long gallery.

Pippa and James walked hand-in-hand from the church and posed for the waiting press before sharing a lingering kiss at the lych gate as their married life began.

Ahead of them the tiny pageboys, dressed in gold-coloured britches and shirts, and bridesmaids in cream sash dresses had scattered confetti petals from baskets.

The reception lasted two hours and the happy bride and groom were later spotted driving away in an E-type Jaguar convertible to cheers from well-wishers.