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Meghan Markle's wedding dress, designed by Clare Waight Keller for Givenchy, reportedly cost $265,000. The Duchess of Sussex's gown was one of the most highly anticipated elements of her wedding to Prince Harry in 2018, which was watched by an estimated 1.9 billion people worldwide. Markle's dress was a stark departure from previous royal looks, with its minimalist design and simple silk gown featuring a bateau neckline and three-quarter-length sleeves. The dress was inspired by Audrey Hepburn's iconic Givenchy dress from the 1957 movie 'Funny Face' and Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy's 1996 wedding dress, known for its simplicity.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Cost | $265,000 |
| Designer | Clare Waight Keller for Givenchy |
| Design time | 3,900 hours |
| Fittings | 8 |
| Design collaboration | 5 months |
| Inspiration | Audrey Hepburn in Funny Face, Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy's 1996 wedding dress |
| Fabric | Double-bonded silk cady |
| Details | Six seams, off-the-shoulder neckline, three-quarter-length sleeves, 16-foot-long train, triple-silk organza underskirt |
| Second dress designer | Stella McCartney |
| Second dress fabric | Silk crepe |
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What You'll Learn
Meghan Markle's wedding dress cost
Meghan Markle's wedding dress, designed by Clare Waight Keller for Givenchy, reportedly cost about $265,000, which the bride paid for herself. The dress was designed in collaboration with the bride over five months, with eight fittings and 3,900 hours of work on the veil. The dress was made of pure white double-bonded silk cady with a soft matte but luminous effect, featuring a bateau neckline, three-quarter-length sleeves, and a 16-foot-long train. The design was inspired by Audrey Hepburn's iconic dress in the 1957 movie Funny Face, as well as Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy's simple and surprising wedding dress from 1996. Markle's choice of a contemporary fashion house and a British woman designer marked a departure from traditional royal wedding styles, with its minimalist and American-influenced aesthetic.
For the wedding reception, Markle wore a second wedding dress designed by Stella McCartney. This silk crepe gown featured a halter neckline and was described by the designer as a "humbling moment" in her career. While the cost of this dress is not publicly known, it is speculated that Markle's wedding attire was significantly more expensive than that of other royal brides, such as Kate Middleton, whose wedding dress was valued at $434,000.
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The designer
Meghan Markle's wedding dress was designed by Clare Waight Keller for Givenchy. The designer described the process as starting "in a way, quite relaxed" and involving "a lot of talk" about Markle's personal style. The dress was inspired by Markle's affinity for Audrey Hepburn, specifically the iconic dress designed by Hubert de Givenchy for Hepburn in the 1957 movie Funny Face. Markle's dress featured an off-the-shoulder neckline and three-quarter-length sleeves, a departure from the usual royal wedding style with its minimalist design and lack of lace, embroidery, or other decorations.
Waight Keller and Markle collaborated closely on the design, which required 3,900 hours of work for the veil alone, eight fittings, and five months of clandestine communication. The designer scoured fabric mills across Europe to develop a double-bonded silk cady for a soft matte, yet luminous effect. The gown's contoured silhouette was constructed with six meticulously placed seams, culminating in a 16-foot-long train. The dress is estimated to have cost around $265,000, which Markle paid for herself.
For her wedding reception, Markle wore a second dress designed by Stella McCartney. The silk crepe gown featured a halter neckline and was described by McCartney as "an honour" to create.
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The design process
Meghan Markle's wedding dress, designed by Clare Waight Keller for Givenchy, reportedly cost $265,000. The design process was a collaborative effort between the designer and Markle, taking five months and requiring eight fittings.
The design was inspired by Markle's personal style and her affinity for Audrey Hepburn, specifically Hepburn's iconic wedding dress in the 1957 movie Funny Face. The dress's off-the-shoulder neckline and three-quarter-length sleeves were influenced by Hepburn's gown, creating a contemporary and progressive look while respecting tradition. Markle also drew inspiration from Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy's simple and surprising wedding dress from 1996.
Waight Keller scoured fabric mills across Europe to develop the perfect fabric for the gown—a double-bonded silk cady that achieved a soft matte, yet gracefully luminous effect. The dress was constructed with six meticulously placed seams, culminating in a majestic 16-foot-long train. The train was intensified with a triple-silk organza underskirt, adding to the grandeur of the design.
The veil, one of the most notable features of the ensemble, required 3,900 hours of intricate design work. It was created to complement the simplicity and elegance of the dress, framing Markle's face with a delicate sheer fabric that extended down the aisle. The entire design process for the veil was shrouded in secrecy, adding to the anticipation leading up to the wedding day.
Markle's choice of a contemporary fashion house and her collaboration with a British woman designer marked a departure from traditional royal wedding styles. The minimalist design, devoid of lace, embroidery, or excessive decorations, reflected American fashion's practicality and modern aesthetic. Markle's vision for her wedding dress was brought to life through a combination of her personal style, innovative fabric choices, and a talented designer's skilled craftsmanship.
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Who paid for it
Meghan Markle's wedding dress was designed by Clare Waight Keller for Givenchy. It featured a boat neckline, three-quarter-length sleeves, and a 16-foot cathedral veil embroidered with flowers representing the 53 countries of the Commonwealth, the California poppy, and wintersweet. The dress is estimated to have cost between £110,000 and £387,000, although the exact amount remains undisclosed.
Now, regarding who paid for the dress, there are conflicting claims. Some sources suggest that Meghan Markle personally paid for her wedding dress, following royal tradition where the bride typically pays for her own wedding dress. For example, Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, also paid for her wedding dress. However, other sources claim that Meghan did not pay for the dress herself. One source mentions that Prince Charles paid for it, as he and the Queen insisted on having his niece and nephew, Charlotte and George, in the wedding party. There are also rumours that the Middletons contributed a six-figure sum towards the wedding, possibly paying for the bride's earrings and second dress. Additionally, one source mentions that the King paid for everything.
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How it compared to other royal wedding dresses
Meghan Markle's wedding dress is reported to have cost $265,000. The dress was designed by Givenchy and Stella McCartney, and was inspired by Audrey Hepburn's iconic dress in the 1957 movie Funny Face. Markle's dress featured an off-the-shoulder neckline and a simple silk silhouette with a bateau neckline and three-quarter-length sleeves.
How does Markle's dress compare to other royal wedding dresses? Let's take a look:
Princess Diana
Princess Diana's wedding dress, designed by David and Elizabeth Emanuel, cost $115,000 in 1981, which is roughly $413,000 today when adjusted for inflation. The silk-and-taffeta dress included mother-of-pearl sequins and approximately 10,000 pearls. It featured puff sleeves, a ruffled neckline, and a 25-foot train.
Kate Middleton
Kate Middleton's wedding dress, designed by Sarah Burton for Alexander McQueen, cost $434,000, which is equivalent to $617,000 today when adjusted for inflation. The dress featured a nine-foot-long train and intricate lace details.
Queen Elizabeth
Queen Elizabeth's 1947 Norman Hartnell wedding gown is reported to have cost $42,000 at the time, which is equivalent to $1.6 million in 2025 when adjusted for inflation. The gown was made from ivory silk and decorated with 10,000 seed pearls.
Princess Eugenie
Princess Eugenie's wedding dress, designed by Pilotto and de Vos, featured a wide-neck V-shape, folded shoulders, and a low back that draped into a flowing full-length train. The fabric for the dress was a blend of silk, cotton, and viscose, and featured symbols such as a Scottish thistle and an Irish shamrock. The exact cost of the dress is not known, but it is likely to be comparable to other royal wedding dresses.
Princess Beatrice
While the exact cost of Princess Beatrice's wedding dress is not known, it is reported that she recycled a dress from her grandmother, Queen Elizabeth's, wardrobe for her wedding.
In conclusion, Meghan Markle's wedding dress falls within the range of costs for royal wedding dresses. While it is more expensive than Princess Diana's dress when adjusted for inflation and Princess Eugenie's dress, it is less expensive than Kate Middleton's and Queen Elizabeth's gowns.
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Frequently asked questions
Meghan Markle's wedding dress is estimated to have cost $265,000.
Meghan Markle's wedding dress was designed by Clare Waight Keller for Givenchy.
There are conflicting reports about who paid for Meghan Markle's wedding dress. Some sources claim that Markle paid for the dress herself, while others suggest that the royal family paid for it.
