Rhiannon Hendricks
Meghan Markle's wedding dress was designed by Clare Waight Keller for Givenchy. The Duchess of Sussex wore a simple silk gown with a bateau neckline and three-quarter-length sleeves. She then changed into a Stella McCartney halter-neck dress for the evening reception. In the lead-up to the wedding, there was much speculation about the designer of Markle's dress. The dress was designed in Paris and reportedly cost $265,000.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Designer | Clare Waight Keller for Givenchy |
| Fabric | Double-bonded silk cady |
| Details | Bateau neckline, three-quarter-length sleeves, 16-foot-long train, triple-silk organza underskirt |
| Accessories | Queen Mary Diamond Bandeau Tiara, Cartier bracelet, earrings |
| Reception dress designer | Stella McCartney |
| Reception dress style | Halter-neck sheath gown |
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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 in Paris by a small team of ateliers and featured a simple, elegant design with a bateau neckline and three-quarter-length sleeves. The gown was made of double-bonded silk crepe with a sculpted waistline and a train made of triple silk organza. The dress is estimated to have cost around $265,000, which Markle paid for herself.
Waight Keller was chosen by Markle for her "elegant aesthetic" and "relaxed demeanour". The designer's appointment was also indicative of the Duchess's commitment to empowering women, as Waight Keller became the first female artistic director of the historic French fashion house in 2017. The dress was created in just five months, with eight fittings, and the collaboration between the bride and the design team was described as "very collaborative".
The dress was inspired by Markle's affinity for Audrey Hepburn, with the off-the-shoulder neckline taking influence from the iconic Givenchy dress Hepburn wore in the 1957 movie "Funny Face". Markle also cited style icon Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy as an inspiration, noting that she wanted to surprise people with the simplicity of her wedding dress, just as Bessette-Kennedy had done in 1996.
Markle's wedding dress was certainly a talking point, with commentators praising its timeless minimal elegance while others criticized it as "boring" and "ill-fitting". However, it is clear that Markle's choice of designer and style made a significant impact, with the dress becoming one of the most celebrated royal fashion moments in history.
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The dress's simple design
Meghan Markle's wedding dress was designed by British fashion designer Clare Waight Keller, artistic director of the fashion house Givenchy. The dress was crafted in white silk with precise seam-work that created a fluted shape as she walked up the aisle. The gown's contoured silhouette culminated in a majestic 16-foot-long train, enhanced by a triple-silk organza underskirt. Markle's vision for her wedding dress was inspired by Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy, who surprised everyone with the simplicity of her 1996 wedding dress. Markle's dress was a departure from the usual royal wedding style, with its simple design devoid of embellishment. The silk gown featured a bateau neckline and three-quarter-length sleeves, a style that Markle had expressed a preference for in 2016.
For her wedding reception, Markle changed into a second dress: a Stella McCartney high-neck, halter-style gown. This dress brought a modern touch to traditional royal aesthetics. The Duchess of Sussex's choice of a simple, elegant style for her wedding dress and reception gown surprised many and has been a source of inspiration for brides-to-be with minimal and classic tastes.
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The Duchess of Sussex's accessories
The Duchess of Sussex, Meghan Markle, wore a variety of accessories with her two wedding dresses. For the ceremony, she paired her veil with the Queen Mary Diamond Bandeau Tiara, lent to her by the Queen, a Cartier bracelet, and a pair of earrings. The Cartier bracelet is speculated to be one of Meghan's favourite accessories, as she has been spotted wearing it on multiple occasions post her wedding.
The Duchess of Sussex's wedding ring, engagement ring, and eternity ring are also part of her famous accessories. She often switches up the order she wears her rings. Meghan Markle's engagement ring, originally a solid yellow gold band, was upgraded to a micro-pavé band in May 2019.
For her second wedding dress, a halter-neck sheath gown by Stella McCartney, Meghan Markle wore a high-neck design, bringing a modern touch to traditional royal aesthetics. She was first seen in this ensemble as she and her husband climbed into a vintage convertible.
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The reception dress
For her wedding reception, Meghan Markle wore a sleek, high-neck, halter-neck dress designed by Stella McCartney. The dress was a modern take on traditional royal aesthetics and was wholly contemporary and in line with Markle's personal style. The gown was sleeveless and had a refined, glamorous silhouette.
McCartney, a quintessential British designer, was perfectly aligned with Markle's aesthetic. Her design house promotes eco-friendly fashion, vegan leathers, and sustainability—all on-brand for the philanthropic Duchess of Sussex.
Markle's wedding dress was designed in collaboration with the bride over five months, requiring eight fittings and 3,900 hours of design for the veil. The dress was made in Paris by a small team of ateliers and was estimated to cost about $265,000, which the bride paid for herself.
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The cost of the wedding dress
Meghan Markle's wedding dress was designed by Clare Waight Keller under the Givenchy label. The dress was made in Paris by a small team of ateliers. The design process took five months and involved eight fittings. The dress was made of double-bonded silk with a bateau neckline, structured three-quarter sleeves, and a sculpted waistline that fell into a train made of triple silk organza. The back of the dress was just as simple as the front and was covered by a 25-foot veil. The veil was embroidered with flowers representing the 53 countries of the Commonwealth, as well as the California poppy and wintersweet, which grows outside Nottingham Cottage at Kensington Palace.
Markle's choice of designer was influenced by her desire to champion fellow women and female causes. Waight Keller became the first female artistic director of the historic French fashion house Givenchy in 2017. Markle also appreciated Waight Keller's "elegant aesthetic" and "relaxed demeanour." The two worked closely together to create a dress that reflected the "timeless minimal elegance" of the House of Givenchy while also conveying modernity through sleek lines and sharp cuts.
While some commentators criticised the dress as "boring" and "ill-fitting," others noted that it made a "solid fashion statement" and that Waight Keller should be pleased with her creation. The dress has since become one of the most iconic royal gowns of all time, with its subtle and meaningful details, such as the inclusion of a piece of the blue dress Markle wore on her first date with Prince Harry.
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Frequently asked questions
Meghan Markle wore a Stella McCartney halter-neck dress to her wedding reception. The dress was high-neck and sleeveless, with a modern silhouette.
The dress was designed by Stella McCartney.
Meghan Markle's wedding dress was designed by British designer Clare Waight Keller for Givenchy. The dress was made of double-bonded silk cady with a soft matte and luminous effect. The gown featured six seams that constructed a contoured silhouette, culminating in a 16-foot-long train. The dress was said to embody Markle's "effortless American style".
