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Meghan Markle's wedding dress, designed by Clare Waight Keller for Givenchy, is said to have cost approximately \$265,000. The Duchess of Sussex's gown, which featured a 16-foot-long train, was paid for by the former Suits star herself. The dress was designed in Paris by a small team of ateliers and required eight fittings and five months of clandestine communication.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Designer | Clare Waight Keller |
| Artistic Director of | Givenchy |
| Fabric | Double-bonded silk cady |
| Effect | Soft matte, gracefully luminous |
| Seams | Six |
| Train length | 16 feet |
| Veil | Embroidered with flowers representing the countries of the Commonwealth |
| Cost | $265,000 according to Vanity Fair; other estimates include $400,000 or $500,000 |
| Cost relative to average American salary | Three times |
| Cost relative to average cost of wedding dresses in the US | 87 times |
| Cost covered by | Meghan Markle |
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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 of double-bonded silk cady with a bateau neckline, structured three-quarter sleeves, and a sculpted waistline that fell into a train made of triple silk organza. The dress was designed in Paris by a small team of ateliers and was kept a closely guarded secret until the wedding day.
Waight Keller was the first female artistic director of the historic French fashion house, appointed to the role in 2017. Markle chose to work with her because of her "timeless and elegant aesthetic, impeccable tailoring, and relaxed demeanour". The Duchess of Sussex also wanted to highlight Waight Keller's success as the creative head of three globally influential fashion houses: Pringle of Scotland, Chloé, and Givenchy.
The dress was reportedly estimated to cost $265,000, which was paid for by Markle herself. It required 3,900 hours of design for the veil, eight fittings, and five months of clandestine communication between the designer and the bride.
For her second wedding dress, Meghan Markle opted for a bespoke lily-white, high-neck gown made of silk crepe by Stella McCartney.
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Cost compared to average salaries
While the exact cost of Meghan Markle's wedding dress is unknown, designer Clare Waight Keller created it with a unique double-bonded silk cady fabric that gave it a soft matte and luminous effect. The dress also featured a 16-foot-long train and a triple-silk organza underskirt. With such intricate details and custom fabric, it is safe to assume that the dress was very expensive.
Comparing the potential cost of Meghan Markle's wedding dress to average salaries offers a perspective on its expense. In the United Kingdom, where the wedding took place, the average annual full-time salary in 2018, the year of the royal wedding, was around £29,009. This figure increased to approximately £34,963 in 2023 and is estimated to be £37,430 in 2024.
Assuming the dress was significantly more expensive than the average salary, it may have been equivalent to multiple months or even a year's worth of earnings for an average full-time employee in the UK. This comparison highlights the significant investment made in the dress and underscores the difference between the financial means of the royal family and the general public.
It is worth noting that the cost of the dress may also be compared to salaries in other sectors or occupations. For example, in 2023, the highest-paid occupation in the UK was that of chief executives and senior officials, with an average weekly pay of approximately £1,576. On the other hand, retail cashiers and check-out operators earned an average of £383 per week, representing the lowest-paid occupation.
Comparing the potential cost of Meghan Markle's wedding dress to these salaries further emphasizes the disparity in financial means and underscores the exclusivity of such a gown. The dress's cost, though undisclosed, likely far exceeded the average salaries, reflecting the unique nature of the event and the bride's personal style.
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Cost compared to other royal wedding dresses
The wedding dress worn by Meghan Markle, designed by British fashion designer Clare Waight Keller, reportedly cost £100,000 (approximately $135,000). While the actual cost of the dress is not known, it is speculated to be much more expensive than the average wedding dress, which costs $1,564 in the US.
Compared to other royal wedding dresses, Markle's dress is believed to be less costly. For instance, Kate Middleton's Alexander McQueen gown in 2011 reportedly cost $434,000, making it substantially more expensive. Princess Diana's wedding dress, featuring 10,000 pearls and a 25-foot train, was estimated to cost $115,000.
The cost of Markle's dress is also relatively lower when considering the overall wedding expenses. The royal wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle was estimated to cost around £32 million ($43.4 million), with security costs accounting for a significant portion of the total expenditure. The wedding's cost was influenced by factors such as the venue, St. George's Chapel in Windsor Castle, and the need for enhanced security due to Harry's military background and racist comments directed at Meghan.
While the royal family traditionally covers the cost of the ceremony, there were concerns about public outcry if too much taxpayer money was spent on Meghan's dress. Ultimately, it was believed that Meghan herself would contribute financially to the dress to avoid any backlash.
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Cost of the fabric
The fabric used to create Meghan Markle's wedding dress was of the highest quality, which drove up the price. The designer, Clare Waight Keller, scoured fabric mills across Europe to develop a double-bonded silk cady for a soft matte, but gracefully luminous effect. The dress also included a triple silk organza underskirt, which contributed significantly to the overall cost of the fabric.
The dress was designed by Givenchy's artistic director, making it the first time a female artistic director had designed a royal wedding dress for the house. The gown reportedly cost £100,000, or about $135,000, according to the Daily Mail. This price tag is roughly three times the average salary of American workers, which is $44,564, and 87 times the typical cost of wedding dresses in the US, which is $1,564.
While the exact cost of the fabric is not publicly known, the high-quality silk and the exclusive design process likely contributed to a significant portion of the dress's overall price. It is worth noting that the cost of a wedding dress is not solely determined by the fabric but also includes the design process, construction, and any embellishments or detailing.
In comparison to other royal wedding dresses, Meghan Markle's dress falls within a similar price range. Princess Diana's wedding dress, which featured 10,000 pearls and a 25-foot train, was estimated to cost $115,000. Kate Middleton's Alexander McQueen gown reportedly cost $434,000.
For her second wedding dress, Meghan Markle chose a bespoke Stella McCartney gown made of silk crepe. While the cost of this dress is not publicly known, it is safe to assume that the fabric, a luxurious natural fibre, contributed significantly to its overall price.
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Who paid for the dress
There are conflicting reports about who paid for Meghan Markle's wedding dress. While some sources claim that Markle paid for the dress herself, which is in line with royal tradition, others suggest that the bill was footed by her husband's family, specifically Prince Charles.
It is estimated that the wedding dress cost between £110,000 and £387,000. The gown, designed by Clare Waight Keller for Givenchy, featured a boat neckline, three-quarter-length sleeves, and a train with a built-in triple silk organza underskirt. The dress incorporated "something old" in the form of fabric from Diana's wedding gown and "something blue" with fabric from the dress Markle wore on her first date with Prince Harry.
The bride's veil, which paid tribute to the Commonwealth with custom embroidery of 53 flowers, also included the California poppy, honouring Markle's home state. The veil required 3,900 hours of design and eight fittings. The dress itself was crafted from double-bonded silk cady and featured a minimalist design.
While the exact cost of the dress remains undisclosed, it is rumoured that Prince Charles paid for it due to Markle's ever-changing mind on the style and design, which resulted in a last-minute assembly of the final product. However, it is also royal tradition for the bride to pay for her own dress, as was the case with Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge.
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Frequently asked questions
There has been much speculation about the cost of Meghan Markle's wedding dress, with estimates ranging from $135,000 to $500,000. The dress was reportedly paid for by Meghan herself.
Meghan Markle's wedding dress was designed by British designer Clare Waight Keller, the artistic director of Givenchy.
The wedding dress was made of high-quality fabric, including a triple silk organza underskirt. The designer scoured fabric mills across Europe to develop a double-bonded silk cady for a soft matte, yet luminous effect.
Yes, for her second wedding dress, Meghan Markle wore a bespoke Stella McCartney gown, a lily-white high-neck silk crepe dress.
