
Kate Middleton and Meghan Markle's wedding dresses have been compared by many, with some claiming that Meghan's dress is the most popular, according to research on global monthly Google searches. Both dresses were designed by British designers, with Kate's dress designed by Sarah Burton for Alexander McQueen and Meghan's by Clare Waight Keller for Givenchy. Kate's dress featured long lace sleeves, a v-neckline, and an epic train, while Meghan's dress had a boat neckline bodice, long sleeves, and a sheer cascading veil adorned with lace trim.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date of Wedding | Kate: 29 April 2011; Meghan: 19 May 2018 |
| Designer | Kate: Sarah Burton for Alexander McQueen; Meghan: Clare Waight Keller for Givenchy |
| Style | Kate: lace-covered ivory gown with a corseted bodice and long lace sleeves; Meghan: pure white with a looser fit and a bateau/boat neckline |
| Accessories | Kate: Cartier Halo Scroll tiara; Meghan: Queen Mary's diamond filigree tiara |
| Hair | Kate: half-updo; Meghan: updo |
| Popularity | Meghan: most searched for wedding dress; Kate: second most popular |
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What You'll Learn

Meghan's dress was more popular online
While both Kate Middleton and Meghan Markle's wedding dresses were stunning and iconic in their own right, Meghan's dress was more popular online. Meghan's pure white gown with a bateau neckline, designed by Clare Waight Keller for Givenchy, took more risks and was considered a bit more risqué for a royal wedding. This was because, traditionally, shoulders are covered for royal weddings in church, and Meghan's dress revealed part of her shoulders.
Kate's dress, on the other hand, adhered to all royal rules as she married the heir to the throne. Her dress, designed by Sarah Burton for Alexander McQueen, featured a lace-covered ivory gown with a corseted bodice and a v-neckline. It inspired an H&M affordable version retailing for $299.
According to research on global monthly Google searches for wedding dresses from 15 of the most popular royal weddings, Meghan's dress is officially the most searched for, with more searches than any other royal bride in the world. Kate's dress comes in second place. This popularity may be due to the differing styles and positions in the family reflected by the dresses, with Meghan's dress taking a more minimal and refined route, while Kate's look was cleaner and more impactful.
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Meghan's dress was more risqué
While both Kate Middleton and Meghan Markle's wedding dresses were stunning, Meghan's dress was more risqué. Markle's dress, designed by Clare Waight Keller for Givenchy, featured a bateau neckline, revealing part of her shoulders. Traditionally, shoulders are covered for royal weddings in church, so this made Markle's gown stand out as a bit more daring than Middleton's. Middleton's dress, designed by Sarah Burton for Alexander McQueen, featured a v-neckline and long lace sleeves, adhering to all royal rules.
Markle's dress was also more minimal and refined, with a looser fit and a sheer cascading veil adorned with lace trim. Middleton's gown, on the other hand, was described as "cleaner" and more "impactful", with a corseted bodice and an epic train. It kickstarted a trend among brides at the time and has even inspired an affordable H&M version.
Ultimately, both dresses were knockouts and reflected the women's individual styles and positions in the royal family perfectly. Markle's dress suited her perfectly and was the most popular according to research on global monthly Google searches for wedding dresses from 15 of the most popular royal weddings.
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Kate's dress inspired H&M
Kate Middleton's wedding dress, designed by Sarah Burton for Alexander McQueen, has become an iconic symbol of bridal fashion. The dress, which featured a fitted white V-neck gown with a long-sleeved lace overlay and an impressive nearly nine-foot train, was widely anticipated and generated much commentary in the media. Burton's craftsmanship and attention to detail, such as the use of 19th-century Carrickmacross lace-making techniques, contributed to the dress's enduring appeal.
The impact of Kate's wedding dress extended beyond the wedding day, influencing bridal styles and trends in the years that followed. Its design, combining tradition and modernity, set a new direction for wedding gowns. The choice of long sleeves, for example, was seen as a departure from strapless styles, and the lace bodice echoed that of Grace Kelly's wedding dress, adding a touch of classic elegance.
The dress's influence was not limited to high-end fashion but also inspired more affordable versions. H&M, for example, designed an affordable replica of Kate's dress, retailing at $299. This accessibility allowed more people to embrace the royal wedding style and showcased the lasting impact of Kate's choice of gown.
The H&M version of the dress demonstrates how Kate's wedding dress has left a lasting impression on the fashion industry. By offering a more affordable option, H&M made it possible for people to incorporate elements of royal wedding glamour into their own special days. This trendsetting aspect of Kate's dress is a testament to its iconic status and the enduring fascination with royal weddings.
In conclusion, Kate Middleton's wedding dress inspired H&M to create an affordable replica, reflecting the dress's enduring influence on bridal fashion. The H&M version captures the essence of Kate's gown, making it accessible to a wider audience and perpetuating the legacy of her royal wedding style.
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Meghan's dress was minimal and refined
Meghan Markle's wedding dress is officially the most searched-for royal wedding dress in the world, according to research on global monthly Google searches for wedding dresses from 15 of the most popular royal weddings. This fact alone suggests that Meghan's dress was indeed memorable and popular with the public.
Meghan's dress was designed by Clare Waight Keller for Givenchy. It was pure white with a bateau neckline, revealing part of the bride's shoulders. The dress featured a boat neckline bodice, long sleeves, and a sheer cascading veil adorned with lace trim. This style is considered more minimal and refined than Kate's dress, which had a more traditional and cleaner look.
The bateau neckline is one of the major differences between the two dresses. Kate's dress had a V-neckline, which kickstarted a trend among brides at the time. Meghan's choice of neckline was seen as more risqué, particularly for a royal wedding, but it suited her perfectly. The fact that Meghan's dress revealed her shoulders is also notable, as traditionally for royal weddings, shoulders are covered inside the church.
Meghan's dress was also looser-fitting than Kate's, which had a corseted bodice. The overall style of Meghan's dress was more refined and minimal, reflecting her position in the royal family as she was not marrying the heir to the throne. This allowed her to take more risks with her dress, and her individual take on bridal style was well-received by the public, as evidenced by the high number of Google searches for her dress.
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Kate's hair was half-up, Meghan's was up
While the world watched Meghan Markle and Kate Middleton marry their princes, the royal wedding dresses took centre stage. The gowns were strikingly different, with Kate's dress designed by Sarah Burton for Alexander McQueen and Meghan's by Clare Waight Keller for Givenchy. But another difference was in their choice of hairstyle: Kate's hair was half-up, while Meghan's was up.
Kate's half-up hairstyle was an elegant choice, with her hair swept back from her face and secured at the back of her head, leaving the rest of her hair loose and flowing. This style is often seen as a romantic and versatile option, as it combines the elegance of an updo with the softness of loose hair. It can also be a practical choice, as it keeps the hair off the face while still allowing for a variety of styling options.
Meghan, on the other hand, opted for a sleek and sophisticated updo. Her hair was swept back and secured at the nape of her neck, creating a polished and elegant look. This style is often seen as a more formal and refined option, as it showcases the face and neck while also adding a touch of glamour. It can also be a versatile choice, as it can be styled in a variety of ways, from sleek and smooth to textured and voluminous.
Both hairstyles complemented the respective gowns beautifully. Kate's half-up hair showcased the intricate details of her lace gown, particularly the lace sleeves, v-neckline, and epic train. The softness of her hairstyle also balanced the structure and elegance of her dress. Meanwhile, Meghan's sleek updo emphasised the clean lines and refined minimalism of her pure white gown, with its boat neckline bodice, long sleeves, and sheer cascading veil adorned with lace trim. The simplicity of her hairstyle further accentuated the elegance and sophistication of her dress.
Ultimately, the choice of hairstyle reflected each woman's individual style and personality. Kate's half-up hair reflected a classic and romantic aesthetic, while Meghan's updo exuded modern sophistication. Both looks, however, demonstrated a sophisticated and regal approach to bridal beauty, providing endless inspiration for brides-to-be around the world.
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Frequently asked questions
Meghan Markle's wedding dress is the most searched-for royal wedding dress in the world, according to Google searches. Kate Middleton's dress is the second most popular.
Kate Middleton's dress was an ivory lace Alexander McQueen gown with long lace sleeves, a v-neckline, and an epic train. Meghan Markle's dress was pure white with a looser fit, long sleeves, a bateau/boat neckline, and a sheer cascading veil adorned with lace trim.
This is a matter of personal opinion and will differ from person to person. While some sources claim that Kate's dress was more appropriate and beautiful, others state that Meghan's dress was stunning and reflected her style perfectly.










































