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Meghan Markle's wedding dress was designed by Clare Waight Keller for Givenchy. The dress was made of double-bonded silk and featured an open bateau neckline, a sculpted waist, and slim three-quarter sleeves. Markle's choice of designer was considered a bold and rebellious move as she chose a French designer instead of following the tradition of commissioning a British designer. Princess Diana's wedding dress designer, David Emanuel, was quoted as saying that he cannot utter Markle's name. However, Emanuel's then-wife and co-designer of Diana's dress, Elizabeth Emanuel, praised Markle's gown, calling it absolutely beautiful. While Markle's dress was designed by a different designer, there are similarities between the two gowns, including the use of pure white silk and a five-meter-long train.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date of Meghan Markle's wedding | 19 May 2018 |
| Meghan Markle's wedding dress designer | Clare Waight Keller at Givenchy |
| Wedding dress fabric | Double-bonded silk |
| Wedding veil length | 5 meters |
| Flowers on the veil | Wintersweet and California Poppy |
| Princess Diana's wedding dress designer | David and Elizabeth Emanuel |
| Princess Diana's wedding dress style | Voluminous |
| Princess Diana's wedding dress colour | White |
| Princess Diana's wedding date | 1981 |
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What You'll Learn
Meghan Markle's wedding dress designer
Meghan Markle's wedding dress was designed by Clare Waight Keller for Givenchy. The dress was made of double-bonded silk cady with a bateau neckline, structured three-quarter sleeves, and a sculpted waistline that fell into a train made of triple silk organza. The dress was designed in Paris by a small team of ateliers and was estimated to cost about $265,000, which the bride paid for herself.
Markle chose Waight Keller because she wanted to highlight the success of a leading British talent and because of the designer's "elegant aesthetic" and "relaxed demeanour." Waight Keller described the dress as seeking to "convey modernity through sleek lines and sharp cuts" while paying homage to the history of the Givenchy house. The dress was also inspired by Markle's affinity for Audrey Hepburn, particularly Hepburn's iconic Givenchy dress in the 1957 movie Funny Face. Another source of inspiration for the dress was Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy, who surprised everyone with the simplicity of her wedding gown.
There was much speculation about who would design Markle's wedding dress, with London-based brands Ralph & Russo and Erdem considered favourites at the time. Other rumoured designers included the Queen's favourite, Stewart Parvin; Princess Diana's favourite, Catherine Walker & Co.; Princess Kate's favourite, Alexander McQueen; and Israeli designer Inbal Dror.
Markle's wedding dress was compared to several other notable wedding dresses, including those of Angela Brown, Mary Donaldson, Princess Kate, and Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy. The dress was also said to bear similarities to a Givenchy dress worn by Audrey Hepburn in the 1957 film Funny Face.
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Princess Diana's wedding dress designer's comments
Princess Diana's wedding dress was designed by the former husband-and-wife duo David and Elizabeth Emanuel. The Emanuels created a second, backup wedding gown in case their original creation was leaked to the press. Elizabeth Emanuel shared that the design team was unable to fully show Diana her dress and train until the final fitting at Buckingham Palace. She said:
> We had a final fitting at Buckingham Palace, where—for the first time—we were able to unravel the train because our showroom was very small. So we had to wait until we went to the palace and use one of the corridors to unroll the train, which is 25 feet long!
Elizabeth also recalled the chaos outside the atelier she shared with her then-husband and co-designer, David Emanuel, whenever Diana came in for a fitting. Elizabeth told *People* in an interview:
> When Diana came in for a fitting, there would be hundreds of people outside waiting to spot her.
David Emanuel, on the other hand, has been quoted as referring to Meghan Markle as "the American woman" and said that she was "channelling Wally Simpson" at the Platinum Jubilee.
While Meghan Markle's wedding dress was not designed by Princess Diana's wedding dress designer, she has paid tribute to her late mother-in-law through her fashion choices on several occasions. For instance, Meghan wore a green Erdem coat that paid tribute to Princess Diana, and her wedding day hat was also reminiscent of a beret worn by Princess Diana.
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Meghan's wedding dress: an act of royal rebellion?
Meghan Markle's wedding dress was designed by Clare Waight Keller for Givenchy. The white silk gown featured an open bateau neckline, a sculpted waist, and slim three-quarter sleeves. The dress also included a five-metre-long train and a veil that paid tribute to the 53 countries of the Commonwealth, with flowers representing each country.
While Markle's dress was praised by Princess Diana's wedding dress designer, Elizabeth Emanuel, as "absolutely beautiful", it also sparked some controversy as an act of royal rebellion. Markle chose a French designer, breaking with the tradition of commissioning a British designer followed by Queen Victoria, Queen Elizabeth II, and Princess Kate. This choice was seen as a bold statement of Markle's independence and willingness to challenge monarchical traditions.
In the lead-up to the wedding, there was much speculation about who would design Markle's dress. The names of the Queen's favourite designer, Stewart Parvin, Princess Diana's favourite, Catherine Walker & Co., and Princess Kate's favourite, Alexander McQueen, were all mentioned. By choosing a French designer, Markle surprised many and asserted her own fashion sense and independence.
Markle's wedding dress was not the only time she has paid tribute to her late mother-in-law, Princess Diana, through her fashion choices. On numerous occasions, Markle has worn outfits strikingly similar to those previously worn by Princess Diana. For example, at the Invictus Games, Markle mirrored a '90s look of Princess Diana's, pairing a classic white shirt with jeans. Markle has also channelled Princess Diana's style in a Roland Mouret gown, a Carolina Herrera dress, and an emerald green Erdem coat.
While Princess Diana's wedding dress designer, Elizabeth Emanuel, approved of Markle's gown, she struggled to utter Markle's name, referring to her as "the American woman". This suggests a complex dynamic where Markle's fashion choices, including her wedding dress, may be interpreted as both a tribute to Princess Diana and a statement of her own unique style and independence.
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Meghan's wedding dress: a comparison with Princess Diana's
Meghan Markle's wedding dress was designed by Clare Waight Keller, the first female Artistic Director at the historic French fashion house Givenchy. The dress was made of double-bonded silk, with an open bateau neckline, a sculpted waist, and slim three-quarter sleeves. The pure white silk gown also featured a 5-metre-long train.
Princess Diana's wedding dress, on the other hand, was designed by David and Elizabeth Emanuel. The ivory silk taffeta and antique lace gown had a 25-foot sequin-encrusted train, a deep neckline, and large puffed sleeves. The dress was embellished with 10,000 pearls and featured a fitted bodice and full skirt.
While Meghan's dress was hailed as elegant and classic, David Emanuel, Princess Diana's wedding dress designer, refused to utter Meghan's name and referred to her as "the American woman". However, Elizabeth Emanuel, who co-designed Princess Diana's dress with her then-husband, approved of Meghan's dress, calling it "absolutely beautiful".
Both Meghan and Diana's dresses were highly anticipated fashion choices that sparked interest and commentary from the public and fashion industry. Meghan's choice to work with a French designer was seen as a bold and rebellious move, as it broke a long-established royal tradition of commissioning a British designer.
In terms of style, Meghan's dress was described as refined and modern, with a timeless and elegant aesthetic. In contrast, Princess Diana's dress was considered very much of its time, reflecting the dramatic and over-the-top fashion trends of the 1980s.
While there were some similarities and connections between the two dresses, such as the use of silk and the desire to pay tribute to their personal histories, the overall designs and styles differed, reflecting the unique personalities and tastes of the brides.
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Meghan's wedding dress: fabric and design details
Meghan Markle's wedding dress was designed by Clare Waight Keller, the artistic director of the fashion house Givenchy. The dress was made of double-bonded silk cady, a luxurious fabric known for its softness and durability. The silk cady gave the dress a smooth and structured look, with a boatneck or bateau neckline, long or three-quarter-length sleeves, and a flowing train. The dress was not overly feminine or minimal, but rather simple and elegant, with no embellishments or lace. It was also described as "incredibly timeless" by the bride herself.
The veil was made of silk tulle and featured intricate embroidery of flowers representing the 53 countries of the Commonwealth, including wintersweet, California poppy, and wheat. The veil was 16 feet or 5 meters long and required hundreds of hours of handwork to create.
In keeping with the tradition of "something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue", Meghan included a piece of blue fabric from the dress she wore on her first date with Prince Harry stitched into the hem of her wedding dress.
For the evening reception, Meghan wore a custom Stella McCartney gown with a halter neckline and a sexier silhouette.
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Frequently asked questions
No, Meghan Markle did not wear Princess Diana's wedding dress. Markle's dress was designed by Clare Waight Keller at Givenchy.
Yes, Princess Diana retained her wedding dress for its sentimental and historical significance.
Yes, Elizabeth Emanuel, who designed Princess Diana's wedding dress, praised Meghan Markle's dress, calling it "absolutely beautiful".
While there is no indication that Meghan Markle's wedding dress was intended as a direct tribute to Princess Diana, Markle has paid tribute to her late mother-in-law through her fashion choices on numerous occasions.
