Rhiannon Hendricks
Meghan Markle's wedding dress was designed by British designer Clare Waight Keller, the artistic director of Givenchy. The dress was made in Paris and featured an open boat neckline, three-quarter-length sleeves, and a train with a built-in triple silk organza underskirt. While the dress was widely admired for its timeless and simple design, some commentators noted that it did not fit Markle perfectly, with a little extra room at the waist and sleeves. This may have been a deliberate choice to allow the bride to move and breathe comfortably, given the thick and stiff fabric of the dress.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Designer | Clare Waight Keller for Givenchy |
| Cost | £100k |
| Fabric | Silk |
| Sleeves | Three-quarter length |
| Neckline | Open boat |
| Train | Built-in triple silk organza underskirt |
| Veil | Five-metre-long silk tulle with hand-embroidered flowers |
| Veil flowers | Wintersweet, California poppy, and flowers from the 53 Commonwealth countries |
| Veil fabric | Silk threads and organza |
| Veil embroidery time | 3,900 hours |
| Dress size | A size too big |
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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 admired the designer's "elegant aesthetic" and "relaxed demeanour". She also wanted to highlight the success of a leading British designer.
The dress was made of double-bonded silk cady with three-quarter-length sleeves, an open boat neckline, and a train with a built-in triple silk organza underskirt. It was designed to convey "modernity through sleek lines and sharp cuts" while paying homage to the history of the Givenchy house. The dress was made in Paris by a small team of ateliers, with only five months to manufacture it and the veil. Waight Keller and Markle met for eight fittings.
The veil was also designed by Waight Keller and was five metres long. It featured a trim of hand-embroidered flowers in silk threads and organza, representing the 53 countries of the Commonwealth, along with Markle's home state of California and wintersweet, a flower that grows at Kensington Palace. The veil also included a piece of the blue dress that Markle wore on her first date with Prince Harry.
There was much speculation about who would design Markle's wedding dress, with Ralph & Russo and Erdem initially considered favourites. The dress was revealed to be a surprise to many, with its simple design and lack of lace, embellishments, or embroidered details. It drew comparisons to dresses worn by Angela Brown and Mary Donaldson at their royal weddings, as well as a Givenchy dress worn by Audrey Hepburn in the 1957 film *Funny Face*.
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The veil and its significance
The veil Meghan Markle wore at her wedding to Prince Harry on 19 May 2018 was designed by Clare Waight Keller, the artistic director of Givenchy. The veil was five metres long and made of silk tulle. It featured a trim of hand-embroidered flowers in silk threads and organza, which took 3,900 hours to create. The veil incorporated several meaningful elements, including:
- Flowers representing the 53 countries of the Commonwealth, reflecting the couple's interest in the work of the Commonwealth.
- Wintersweet, a flower that grows at Kensington Palace, where the couple lived before their marriage.
- The California poppy, in honour of Markle's home state of California.
- A piece of the blue dress Markle wore on her first date with Prince Harry.
The veil was secured to Markle's head with the Queen Mary Bandeau Tiara. The choice of a plain wedding dress allowed Markle to choose a more intricate veil. The veil's delicate floral design was a shared vision between Markle and Waight Keller, who stated that they wanted to create a "special gesture embracing the commonwealth flora, ascending the circumference of the silk tulle". The veil's intricate design and thoughtful symbolism surprised the royal family and captured the world's attention. Markle's veil inspired brides, reigniting excitement about over-the-top, dramatic veils.
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Dress similarities with other celebrities
Meghan Markle's wedding dress was designed by British designer 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 said to showcase a "timeless minimal elegance".
The media noted similarities between Markle's dress and those worn by other celebrities and public figures. Here are some of the dress similarities with other celebrities:
Infanta Cristina of Spain
Infanta Cristina of Spain's wedding dress has been noted by the media to be similar to Meghan Markle's.
Angela Brown and Mary Donaldson
Angela Brown's wedding dress when she married Prince Maximilian of Liechtenstein in 2000 and Mary Donaldson's wedding dress when she married Frederik, Crown Prince of Denmark in 2004, were also compared to Markle's dress.
Audrey Hepburn
Audrey Hepburn's dress in the 1957 film Funny Face, designed by Givenchy, has been noted to bear a resemblance to Markle's wedding dress.
Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy
Markle's admiration for the style of Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy is well-known. Markle's wedding dress was compared to a formal dress worn by Bessette-Kennedy, and her reception dress was said to be similar to Bessette-Kennedy's classic wedding gown.
Princess Diana
Elizabeth Emanuel, the co-designer of Princess Diana's wedding gown, praised Markle's dress, stating that it made a "really solid fashion statement".
Grace Kelly
Grace Kelly's iconic wedding gown, designed by Helen Rose, has inspired many celebrities, including Nicky and Paris Hilton. The dress used 400 yards of ivory faille and silk net and featured long sleeves and a high neckline.
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The dress's cut and fit
Meghan Markle's wedding dress was designed by British fashion designer Clare Waight Keller, the artistic director of the fashion house Givenchy. The dress was made in Paris by a small team of ateliers. Markle chose Keller because she admired her "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 fabric and triple silk organza used for the underskirt were thick, stiff, and did not allow for much stretch. This is likely why Keller and Markle chose a more conservative cut along the bodice and sleeves, allowing Markle to move and breathe more comfortably in the dress.
Markle and Keller worked closely together to design the dress, which shows a "timeless minimal elegance", according to a Kensington Palace announcement. The dress sought to convey modernity through sleek lines and sharp cuts while paying homage to the history of the Givenchy house.
Some people questioned why Markle's dress didn't fit perfectly, as it had a little wriggle room at the waist and sleeves. However, this may have been a deliberate choice to allow Markle to move around comfortably on her wedding day.
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The dress's price
Meghan Markle's wedding dress was designed by British fashion designer Clare Waight Keller, the artistic director of the fashion house Givenchy. The dress was made in Paris by a small team of ateliers and featured a simple, timeless, and minimalist design with sleek lines and sharp cuts. It 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 price of Meghan Markle's wedding dress has been a subject of speculation and interest. While there has been no official confirmation of the exact price, sources have estimated the cost to be approximately £100,000 or $135,000. This amount is significantly higher than the average cost of wedding dresses in the United States, which is around $1,564. However, it is worth noting that royal wedding gowns often come with a higher price tag, with Princess Diana's dress estimated at $115,000 and Kate Middleton's at $434,000.
Markle reportedly paid for the dress herself, while the royal family covered the other wedding expenses, following the tradition set by Kate Middleton during her wedding to Prince William in 2011. The total cost of Markle's wedding to Prince Harry at St. George's Chapel in Windsor Castle was estimated to be around £32 million, with a significant portion attributed to security costs.
The price of Markle's dress sparked discussions about the contrast between her choices and those of previous royal brides. Markle's dress was described as "minimal" and "modern", reflecting her personal style and beliefs in wearing affordably priced clothes. Despite the high price tag, Markle's choice of a simple and elegant dress from a leading British designer showcased her support for British talent and her desire to create a timeless piece.
In conclusion, the price of Meghan Markle's wedding dress was estimated to be £100,000 or $135,000, reflecting the high cost associated with royal weddings and the desire to create a timeless and elegant design. The dress was paid for by Markle herself, contributing to the overall cost of her wedding to Prince Harry, which was covered by the royal family. The dress's price sparked conversations about the contrast between modern and traditional choices in royal weddings.
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Frequently asked questions
Meghan Markle's wedding dress was a custom-made size, designed by British fashion designer Clare Waight Keller of Givenchy. The dress was made in Paris by a small team of ateliers.
The dress was designed with a conservative cut to allow the bride freedom of movement and comfort throughout the day. The thick, stiff fabric of the dress and triple silk organza underskirt contributed to its looser silhouette.
No, Meghan Markle collaborated closely with designer Clare Waight Keller on the design of her wedding dress. Markle chose Keller for her elegant aesthetic and relaxed demeanour, seeking to highlight the success of a leading British talent.
