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Meghan Markle's wedding dress, worn when she married Prince Harry in May 2018, was designed by British designer Clare Waight Keller for Givenchy. The dress was made in Paris by a small team of ateliers and featured a bateau neckline, a fitted bodice, three-quarter-length sleeves, and a train with a built-in triple silk organza underskirt. The dress was hand-stitched and is estimated to have cost £100,000.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date of Wedding | 19 May 2018 |
| Bride | Meghan Markle |
| Groom | Prince Harry |
| Wedding Dress Designer | Clare Waight Keller |
| Wedding Dress Designer Affiliation | Givenchy |
| Wedding Dress Cost | £100,000 |
| Wedding Dress Style | Simple, classic, timeless, minimal, elegant |
| Wedding Dress Fabric | Silk |
| Wedding Dress Details | Boat/bateau neckline, fitted bodice, three-quarter sleeves, 6 seams, no lace or embellishments |
| Veil Details | 5-metre-long, 3-metre-wide, hand-embroidered with flowers and sprays of wheat, blue fabric sewn into the hem |
| Second Wedding Dress Designer | Stella McCartney |
| Second Wedding Dress Style | Halter neck, sheath, sleeveless, high neck, glamorous, modern |
| Accessories | Diamond Cartier studs, diamond engagement ring, Welsh gold wedding band, aquamarine ring, Givenchy pointed-toe heels, Aquazzurra bespoke heels |
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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, the artistic director of the fashion house Givenchy. The dress was made of double-bonded silk with a bateau neckline, three-quarter-length sleeves, an open boat neckline, and a train with a built-in triple silk organza underskirt. It is estimated to have cost around $265,000, which the bride paid for herself.
Waight Keller was chosen by Markle because she wanted to highlight the success of a leading British talent. The designer's "elegant aesthetic" and "relaxed demeanour" also aligned with Markle's vision for a simple and timeless wedding dress. The dress was made in Paris by a small team of ateliers, with only five months to manufacture it and the veil. The veil, which featured flowers representing the countries of the Commonwealth, as well as Markle's home state of California, took longer to create than the dress itself, with embroiderers spending 500 hours to complete it.
The choice of designer was unexpected, as London-based brands Ralph & Russo and Erdem were considered the favourites. The dress was also a departure from previous royal looks, with its simplicity and lack of embellishments. It drew comparisons to a Givenchy dress worn by Audrey Hepburn in the 1957 film Funny Face, as well as the wedding gown of Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy.
Markle also chose to work with Stella McCartney for her second wedding dress, a high-neck, halter dress for the reception.
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The dress's cost
The dress cost is estimated to be £100,000. Meghan Markle personally financed the hand-stitched wedding dress, which was designed by Clare Waight Keller, the artistic director of Givenchy and the first woman to hold this position. The dress was made in Paris by a small team of ateliers, and it took eight fittings to complete.
The dress was made of silk with three-quarter-length sleeves, an open boat neckline, and a train with a built-in triple silk organza underskirt. Waight Keller helped develop a double-bonded silk cady for the construction of the dress, which featured only six seams. The dress was without lace or any other embellishments, keeping with Markle's preference for simplicity and her admiration for Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy's wedding gown.
The veil, which took longer to create than the dress, was hand-embroidered with a variety of flowers representing the 53 countries of the Commonwealth, as well as Markle's home state of California and wintersweet, a flower that grows at Kensington Palace. The veil was 5 metres long and 3 metres wide, and the embroiderers spent 500 hours completing it, washing their hands every 30 minutes to ensure its immaculate state.
The Duchess of Sussex also included a creative twist on the "something blue" tradition by sewing a piece of fabric from the dress she wore on her first date with Prince Harry into the hem of her wedding dress. This detail remained a secret known only to Markle, serving as a personal memento.
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The dress's design and style
Meghan Markle's wedding dress was designed by British designer Clare Waight Keller for Givenchy. The dress was made in Paris by a small team of ateliers and featured a bateau neckline, a fitted bodice, three-quarter-length sleeves, and a train with a built-in triple silk organza underskirt. The dress was made of silk and featured only six seams, with no lace or other embellishments. It is estimated to have cost £100,000.
The design of the dress was kept a closely guarded secret until the big day, with only a few details revealed ahead of the wedding. Markle is known to favour simple, elegant styles and is an admirer of the style of Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy. She chose Waight Keller for her "elegant aesthetic" and "relaxed demeanour", and the designer worked closely with the bride to create a dress that reflected her personal style.
The dress was described by Waight Keller as "not overly feminine, but not really minimal either" and by Markle herself as "clean and simple" and "incredibly timeless". The designer also shared that the dress incorporated a traditional "something blue" element: a piece of fabric from the dress Markle wore on her first date with Prince Harry, sewn into the hem of the wedding dress.
The veil, which took longer to create than the dress itself, was hand-embroidered with a variety of flowers, including the California poppy and wintersweet, as well as flowers representing the 53 countries of the Commonwealth. It was 5 metres long and 3 metres wide.
Markle also wore a second, more modern wedding dress to her reception, designed by Stella McCartney. This dress featured a high halter neckline and a sexier silhouette, with an open back that exposed her sculpted shoulders.
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The dress's accessories
Meghan Markle's wedding dress and accessories were highly anticipated and became one of the most celebrated royal fashion moments in history. The dress was designed by British designer Clare Waight Keller for Givenchy, where she served as the artistic director and first female creative director. Markle chose Waight Keller for her ""elegant aesthetic" and "relaxed demeanour," aiming for a timeless yet modern look. The dress was made of silk with three-quarter-length sleeves, an open boat neckline, and a train with a built-in triple silk organza underskirt. It featured only six seams and no lace or embellishments.
Now, let's delve into the details of the accessories that complemented the Duchess of Sussex's wedding ensemble:
The Veil
The veil was a stunning accessory that took longer to create than the dress itself. Embroiderers spent 500 hours meticulously crafting it, washing their hands every 30 minutes to ensure its immaculate state until the wedding day. The veil was 5 metres (16 feet) long and 3 metres wide, made of silk tulle. It featured a delicate trim of hand-embroidered flowers, including the California poppy, wintersweet, and individual flowers representing the 53 countries of the Commonwealth. The veil was secured by Queen Mary's diamond bandeau tiara, loaned to Markle by the Queen.
Jewellery
To complement the veil and tiara, Meghan Markle chose Cartier earrings and a bracelet by a French jeweller. These accessories added a touch of sparkle and elegance to her ensemble.
Shoes
The Duchess of Sussex wore shoes based on a refined pointed couture design by Givenchy. They were made of silk duchesse satin, completing her walk down the aisle in style and comfort.
"Something Blue"
Markle included her "something blue" in a unique way. She snipped a piece of fabric from the blue dress she wore on her first date with Prince Harry and had it sewn into the hem of her wedding dress. This personal touch added a hidden memento of their origin story.
Evening Reception Ensemble
For the evening reception hosted by King Charles III at Frogmore House, Markle changed into a stunning Stella McCartney high-neck, halter-neck sheath gown. This modern ensemble, with its slinky silhouette and refined glamour, surprised the world and brought a contemporary twist to traditional royal aesthetics.
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The dress's reception look
The Duchess of Sussex's wedding dress was designed by Clare Waight Keller, the artistic director of Givenchy. The dress was made of silk with three-quarter-length sleeves, an open bateau neckline, and a train with a built-in triple silk organza underskirt. The dress was hand-stitched and is believed to have cost £100,000.
For her reception look, Meghan Markle wore a custom Stella McCartney high-neck, halter-neck dress. The gown featured a sexier silhouette and a high halter neckline, which she paired with one of her signature piece-y updos. The dress was a modern touch to traditional royal aesthetics and was wholly modern and reflective of Markle's personal style. The designer, McCartney, shared that she was “so proud and honoured to have been chosen by the Duchess of Sussex to make her evening gown and represent British design”.
The reception dress was a surprise to the world, as Markle had kept it a secret until the newlyweds climbed into a vintage convertible that transported them to the exclusive party hosted by King Charles III at Frogmore House. The halter-neck style of the dress generated much attention, with the label producing a limited-edition piece resembling Markle's reception dress a month later.
Markle's accessories for the reception included an aquamarine ring that formerly belonged to her late mother-in-law, Princess Diana, and bespoke Aquazzurra heels that featured a pale blue sole. The Duchess of Sussex's reception look was a glamorous and modern take on royal aesthetics, surprising fans and the fashion world with its sleek and elegant style.
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Frequently asked questions
Meghan Markle's wedding dress is believed to have cost £100,000.
Meghan Markle's wedding dress was designed by Clare Waight Keller for Givenchy.
Meghan Markle's wedding dress was made of silk with three-quarter-length sleeves, an open bateau neckline, and a train with a built-in triple silk organza underskirt.
Meghan Markle's wedding dress was designed to be simple, classic, and elegant, with a modern twist. The dress was also designed to be "not overly feminine, but not really minimal either".
