George Boyle
Meghan Markle's choice of a white wedding dress for her marriage to Prince Harry in 2018 caused some controversy within the royal family, according to royal expert Katie Nicholl's book, The New Royals. Markle, who wore an off-the-shoulder white dress by Givenchy, was previously married to Trevor Engelson from 2011 to 2013, and Queen Elizabeth II is said to have believed that if you've been married before, you wear off-white on your wedding day. This belief is reportedly what caused tension between the Duchess of Sussex and the Queen, as well as with Kate Middleton, the Princess of Wales, over Princess Charlotte's flower girl dress.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Meghan Markle's wedding dress designer | Givenchy |
| Meghan Markle's previous marriage | Trevor Engelson from 2011 to 2013 |
| Queen's preference for Meghan Markle's wedding dress | Off-white |
| Reason for the Queen's preference | Meghan Markle's previous marriage |
| The Queen's feelings about Meghan Markle's wedding dress | The Queen had reservations about it |
| The Queen's feelings about Meghan Markle's relationship with her father | The Queen thought that Meghan should sort things out with her father |
| Meghan Markle's preference for wedding dresses | Whimsical or subtly romantic |
| Meghan Markle's favorite bridal brands | Delphine Manivet, Christos Costarellos, Elie Saab, and J.Mendel |
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What You'll Learn
- Queen Elizabeth II had reservations about Meghan Markle's choice of a white wedding dress
- Markle's preference for whimsical and subtly romantic wedding dresses
- Markle's favourite bridal brands and designers
- The tradition of white wedding dresses was started by Queen Victoria
- Tensions in the royal family before Harry and Meghan's wedding
Queen Elizabeth II had reservations about Meghan Markle's choice of a white wedding dress
Queen Elizabeth II "had reservations" about Meghan Markle's choice of a pure white wedding dress, according to an excerpt from royal expert Katie Nicholl's book, "The New Royals: Queen Elizabeth's Legacy and the Future of the Crown." Markle, who wed Prince Harry in 2018, had previously been married to producer Trevor Engelson from 2011 to 2013, while the royal wedding marked Harry's first marriage.
"The Queen was surprised that Meghan wore pure white on her wedding day," a source told Nicholl. "Perhaps it's a generational thing, but she believes if you've been married before, you wear off-white on your wedding day, which is what the Duchess of Cornwall did," the source added. The Duchess of Cornwall, now Queen Consort, had previously been married to Andrew Parker Bowles, while King Charles had been married to Princess Diana.
In the lead-up to the wedding, there was reported tension in the royal family, including an argument between Meghan and Kate Middleton, now the Princess of Wales, over Princess Charlotte's flower girl dress. Additionally, Prince Harry reportedly "shouted" at the Queen's royal dresser, Angela Kelly, insisting that "what Meghan wants, Meghan gets." This incident led the Queen to give him a "stern telling-off."
Despite these reservations, Queen Elizabeth II ultimately embraced Meghan Markle, and while she may not have been entirely happy about the choice of wedding dress, she did not express her displeasure publicly. The royal wedding proceeded with Meghan Markle's choice of attire, a stunning off-the-shoulder Givenchy dress designed by Clare Waight Keller, marking a unique moment in the royal family's history.
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Markle's preference for whimsical and subtly romantic wedding dresses
Meghan Markle's wedding dress was designed by British fashion designer Clare Waight Keller, the artistic director of the fashion house Givenchy. Markle chose Keller due to the designer's "elegant aesthetic" and "relaxed demeanour". The dress was made in Paris by a small team of ateliers and featured a sleek, modern silhouette with a high halter neckline and subtle, whimsical details.
Markle's second dress of the day, worn to the evening reception, was a stunning Stella McCartney halter-neck sheath gown. This dress also embodied Markle's preference for whimsical and romantic styles, with its modern silhouette and refined glamour. The high halter neckline and sleeveless design were wholly modern and reflective of Markle's personal style.
In the lead-up to her wedding, Markle had expressed her preference for wedding dresses that are "whimsical or subtly romantic". She had also revealed her favourite bridal brands, including Paris-based designer Delphine Manivet and newcomer Christos Costarellos, as well as her admiration for couturier Elie Saab and J.Mendel.
Markle's wedding dress was met with mixed reviews from the public and fashion critics. Some described it as "beautiful" and "stunning", while others found it "boring", "ill-fitting", and "too big". Despite the varied reactions, it is undeniable that Markle's choice of a whimsical and subtly romantic wedding dress made a fashion statement and has become one of the most celebrated royal fashion moments in history.
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Markle's favourite bridal brands and designers
Meghan Markle's wedding dress was designed by British fashion designer Clare Waight Keller, the artistic director of the fashion house Givenchy. Markle chose Keller due to the designer's "elegant aesthetic" and "relaxed demeanour". The dress was made in Paris and featured a "timeless minimal elegance", according to a Kensington Palace announcement.
Markle has several favourite bridal brands and designers. She has expressed her admiration for Paris-based designer Delphine Manivet and newcomer Christos Costarellos, as well as couturier Elie Saab and J.Mendel. She has also been known to wear British brands such as Barbour, a favourite of the Queen's, and Canadian brands like Erdem. Markle has been wearing Erdem's dresses for years and even commented that she preferred simple styles back in 2016. She has also worn pieces from the Canadian label Aritzia and Club Monaco.
Markle has a diverse and eclectic taste in fashion, often opting for loose shift dresses paired with simple flats and a jacket. She has been seen wearing various brands, including Safiyaa, Hugo Boss, Emporio Armani, and Stuart Weitzman. She also favours classic, tailored pieces, such as the Joseph Altuzarra pantsuit she wore to the WellChild awards in London. Markle also showed her support for Canadian designers while attending a gala performance of Hamilton in London.
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The tradition of white wedding dresses was started by Queen Victoria
Although Meghan Markle's wedding dress was not revealed before her wedding to Prince Harry, she had previously expressed her preference for "whimsical or subtly romantic" wedding dresses. Markle's choice of a white wedding dress is rooted in a long-standing tradition that is often attributed to Queen Victoria.
Queen Victoria, on her wedding day to Prince Albert in 1840, wore a white satin gown with a deep flounce of Honiton lace. This choice of colour was uncommon for bridal wear at the time, as white dresses were difficult to keep clean. However, the colour white held different connotations, and Queen Victoria's decision contributed to its massive gain in popularity for brides.
White had long been associated with wealth and status due to its fragile nature and the difficulty of maintaining its pristine appearance. Royalty and women from wealthy backgrounds had been wearing white wedding dresses for centuries. For example, the earliest recorded white wedding dress in Western culture was that of English Princess Philippa, who married King Eric in 1406. Mary, Queen of Scots, also wore white when she married Francis Dauphin of France in 1558 or 1559.
Queen Victoria, however, played a significant role in popularising the white wedding dress. Her choice of a white gown, adorned with delicate lace, became a symbol of innocence, purity, and romance. The media, particularly magazines of the time, played a crucial role in spreading this fashion trend. Victoria's decision to wear white, instead of the traditional red ermine robe of state, sent a message that she wanted to be seen as Prince Albert's wife first and foremost.
The combination of new technology, industrialization, media influence, and admiration for the monarchy all contributed to the widespread adoption of the white wedding dress tradition. Magazine illustrations and descriptions of Queen Victoria's wedding ensemble, including the intricate lace details, inspired brides worldwide to emulate her style. Thus, Queen Victoria's wedding dress played a pivotal role in establishing the enduring tradition of white wedding dresses.
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Tensions in the royal family before Harry and Meghan's wedding
Meghan Markle's wedding dress was the subject of much speculation in the lead-up to her wedding with Prince Harry. Markle expressed her preference for "whimsical or subtly romantic" wedding dresses, and admired the designs of Paris-based designer Delphine Manivet and newcomer Christos Costarellos. Markle also expressed her appreciation for couturiers Elie Saab and J.Mendel. Ultimately, Markle's choice of a white wedding dress was in keeping with the tradition set by Queen Victoria, who wore a white bridal gown when she married Prince Albert in 1840. Mary Queen of Scots was the first British royal to wear a white wedding dress in 1559 when she married her first husband, Francis Dauphin of France.
In the months and weeks before the wedding, there were reports of tensions between the royal family and the couple. One source of tension was Meghan Markle's interaction with veteran party planner Lady Elizabeth Anson, a cousin of Queen Elizabeth II. Markle was branded as "bossy" for brushing off Anson's wedding ideas, and the Queen herself reportedly expressed concerns about Markle, stating, "Meghan could turn into nothing but trouble; she sees things in a different way." The conflict upset the Queen, according to royal biographer Sally Bedell Smith.
Another issue that caused tension was Prince Harry's decision to bypass royal protocol by personally requesting the Archbishop of Canterbury to officiate the wedding. This move caused deep offence within the Royal Household, according to palace insiders. Additionally, there were reports of a disagreement between Queen Elizabeth and the couple before the wedding, although the specific details of the dispute were not disclosed. The Queen was reportedly "saddened" by the disagreement, according to Bedell Smith.
The wedding took place on May 19, 2018, at St. George's Chapel in Windsor Castle, with the Queen, Prince Philip, the future King Charles, and most other members of the royal family in attendance. Despite the reported tensions, the Queen bestowed upon the couple the titles of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, and they later honoured her by naming their daughter Lilibet Diana, a tribute to the Queen's childhood nickname, Lilibet. However, in 2020, the couple announced their decision to step back from their senior roles in the royal family, move to North America, and become financially independent, marking a significant shift in their relationship with the royal family.
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Frequently asked questions
Meghan Markle wore a white wedding dress because she personally preferred wedding dresses that are "whimsical or subtly romantic". Markle had previously expressed her love for Paris-based designer Delphine Manivet and newcomer Christos Costarellos.
Markle wore an off-the-shoulder, pure white Givenchy dress designed by Clare Waight Keller. The dress had quarter-length sleeves and a dramatic train. She changed into a halter-style dress from Stella McCartney for the reception, which was also white.
Queen Elizabeth II "had reservations" about Markle wearing a pure white dress because it was not her first marriage. The Queen believed that if you've been married before, you wear off-white on your wedding day, which is what the Duchess of Cornwall did.
There was tension in the royal family in the weeks leading up to Harry and Meghan's wedding, pointing to an argument between Meghan and Kate Middleton, the Princess of Wales, over Princess Charlotte's flower girl dress. Additionally, Prince Harry reportedly shouted at the Queen's royal dresser, Angela Kelly, in the days leading up to the wedding.
