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Meghan Markle's wedding dress was designed by British designer Clare Waight Keller for Givenchy. The dress was simple and classic, with a high neckline and no embellishments. Markle's choice of a white wedding dress was surprising to some, as she had been married previously and it is considered that those who have been married before should wear off-white. The dress has been compared to those worn by Audrey Hepburn and Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy. Markle also wore a second dress, designed by Stella McCartney, to her evening reception.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Wedding dress designer | Clare Waight Keller for Givenchy |
| Veil designer | Clare Waight Keller for Givenchy |
| Veil details | Embroidered with flowers representing the countries of the Commonwealth, the California poppy, and wintersweet |
| Dress colour | White |
| Dress style | Simple, timeless, minimal, and classic |
| Dress details | Sleek lines and sharp cuts |
| Second dress designer | Stella McCartney |
| Second dress style | High-neck, halter dress |
| Second dress colour | White |
| Queen's preference for dress colour | Off-white |
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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. Markle chose Waight Keller because she wanted to highlight the success of a leading British designer. She also admired the designer's elegant aesthetic and relaxed demeanour.
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. The gown was simple and did not include lace, embellishments, or embroidered details. It was created in Paris by a small team of ateliers, with only five months to manufacture the dress and veil.
Waight Keller stated that the dress sought to convey modernity through sleek lines and sharp cuts while paying homage to the history of the Givenchy house. The designer revealed that the dress was inspired by Markle's affinity for Audrey Hepburn, noting that Hepburn's iconic Givenchy dress from the 1957 movie Funny Face inspired the off-the-shoulder neckline.
Markle's veil was also designed by Waight Keller and was embroidered with flowers representing the countries of the Commonwealth, the California poppy in honour of Markle's home state, and wintersweet, a flower that grows at Kensington Palace. The veil was made from five-metre-long silk tulle with a trim of hand-embroidered flowers and was held in place by Queen Mary's diamond bandeau tiara, lent to Markle by the Queen.
In the lead-up to the wedding, there was much speculation about who would design Markle's dress. Some commentators suggested that Markle would not wear a white dress as she had been married previously. However, on her wedding day, Markle arrived at the ceremony in a simple silk gown, defying predictions.
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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 simple and white, with a "timeless minimal elegance" and "sleek lines and sharp cuts". It paid homage to the history of the Givenchy house while conveying modernity. The dress was made in Paris by a small team of ateliers, with only five months to manufacture it.
The dress has been compared to those worn by Angela Brown at her wedding to Prince Maximilian of Liechtenstein in 2000 and Mary Donaldson at her wedding to Frederik, Crown Prince of Denmark in 2004. It has also been likened to a Givenchy dress worn by Audrey Hepburn in the 1957 film Funny Face, as well as a design by Emilia Wickstead.
Some commentators suggested that Markle would not wear a white wedding dress as she had been married previously. Indeed, Queen Elizabeth reportedly wanted Markle to wear off-white, as she believes that "if you've been married before, you wear off-white on your wedding day". Markle's dress was also notably different from the more opulent royal bridal fashion trends of the past, which often featured lace and crystal embellishments.
Markle chose to include small meaningful details in her dress, such as a piece of the blue dress she wore on her first date with Prince Harry, which was stitched into her bridal veil. The veil was also embroidered with flowers representing the countries of the Commonwealth, as well as her home state of California and wintersweet, a flower that grows at Kensington Palace.
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The veil's design and style
Meghan Markle's wedding veil was designed by Clare Waight Keller, the artistic director of Givenchy. The veil was embroidered with flowers representing the 53 countries of the Commonwealth, the California poppy, in honour of Markle's home state, and wintersweet, a flower that grows at Kensington Palace. Markle also included a piece of the blue dress she wore on her first date with Prince Harry.
The veil complemented Markle's simple and classic wedding dress, which was also designed by Waight Keller. The dress was made in Paris by a small team of ateliers and featured "sleek lines and sharp cuts" that paid homage to the history of the Givenchy house. The veil and dress were designed and manufactured in just five months, with Markle and Waight Keller meeting for eight fittings.
Markle's choice of a white wedding dress was the subject of some speculation before the wedding, as she had been married previously. Some commentators suggested that she would follow a tradition of brides wearing off-white if they have been married before. However, Markle chose to wear pure white on her wedding day, which reportedly surprised Queen Elizabeth.
Markle's wedding dress and veil were widely praised, with Elizabeth Emanuel, co-designer of Princess Diana's wedding gown, stating that Waight Keller "should be pleased because Meghan looked absolutely stunning and beautiful." Desiree Cooper of the Detroit Free Press noted that "she could have been wearing a paper bag [...] and it wouldn't have mattered an iota. That girl was just plain stunning."
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The Queen's preference for off-white
The wedding dress worn by Meghan Markle at her wedding to Prince Harry on 19 May 2018 was designed by British fashion designer Clare Waight Keller, artistic director of the fashion house Givenchy. The dress was simple and white.
Although it is widely known that Queen Victoria started the tradition of white bridal gowns when she married Prince Albert in 1840, the monarch wore a white court dress, not a white wedding dress. Debutantes had long been required to wear white court dresses and long white gloves for their first presentation at court. At the time of Queen Victoria's wedding, it was common for bridal dresses to come in a variety of colours. White gowns were not popular as they were exceedingly difficult to keep clean. Thus, white outfits were viewed as a sign of wealth.
There are several theories as to why Queen Victoria wore white. One theory suggests that she chose white because it was the perfect colour to highlight the delicate lace. Another theory posits that Victoria was aware of the perception of innocence associated with the colour white and wanted to be seen as Prince Albert's wife. In her journal, Queen Victoria described her choice of dress:
> "I wore a white satin gown with a very deep flounce of Honiton lace, imitation of old. I wore my Turkish diamond necklace and earrings, and Albert’s beautiful sapphire brooch."
Following Queen Victoria's wedding, white wedding dresses became popular among wealthy and fashionable brides. The white wedding style received another significant boost in 1981 when 750 million people watched the wedding of Diana Spencer to Charles, Prince of Wales, where she wore an elaborate white taffeta dress with an 8-metre train.
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The media's comparison to other dresses
The media has drawn several comparisons between Meghan Markle's wedding dress and those of other notable figures. Markle's dress was designed by Clare Waight Keller, the artistic director of Givenchy, and featured a sleek, minimalist design with a bateau neckline, slim three-quarter sleeves, and a train of soft round folds.
One notable comparison made by the media is between Markle's dress and the one worn by Angela Brown at her wedding to Prince Maximilian of Liechtenstein in 2000, as well as Mary Donaldson's dress at her wedding to Frederik, Crown Prince of Denmark in 2004. Additionally, Markle's dress has been likened to a Givenchy dress worn by Audrey Hepburn in the 1957 film *Funny Face*. Emilia Wickstead even claimed that the dress was "identical" to one of her designs.
Unfavourable comparisons have also been drawn between Markle's dress and that of Catherine, Princess of Wales. Critics suggested that Markle's dress was an attempt to mimic the late fashion icon Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy, with similarities noted between Markle's reception dress and Bessette-Kennedy's classic wedding gown. Markle's dress received mixed reviews, with some praising its elegance and beauty, while others criticised its fit and design, calling it "boring" and "ill-fitting".
Despite the mixed reviews, Markle's dress has inspired many bridal looks, with dresses based on her design being sold less than a week after the wedding. The Charlotte dress by Lihi Hod, for example, captures the elegance and simplicity of Markle's gown, while adding a flirty front slit. Other dresses, like the one by ASOS, offer a budget-friendly option with an off-the-shoulder look and drape sleeves. These comparisons highlight the influence of Markle's wedding dress on bridal fashion and its enduring appeal.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, Meghan Markle wore a white wedding dress when she married Prince Harry on May 19, 2018.
Meghan Markle's wedding dress was designed by British designer Clare Waight Keller for the fashion house Givenchy.
Meghan Markle's wedding dress received mixed reviews. Critics noted similarities between Markle's dress and those worn by other royals and celebrities. Some commentators unfavorably compared the dress to a costume, while others praised its timeless minimal elegance.
There was speculation that Meghan Markle would not wear a white wedding dress as she had been married previously. Queen Elizabeth reportedly wanted Markle to wear off-white, as is tradition for royal brides who have been married before.
