Meghan Markle has finally gifted the world with the dress that will surely become iconic. She stepped out of the Rolls Royce Phantom that drove her to wed Prince Harry in an impeccably cut boatneck gown by Clare Waight Keller for Givenchy.
Waight Keller researched fabric mills throughout Europe to develop an exclusive double-bonded silk cady with a matte finish. Created with six meticulously placed seams, the dress was cut to gracefully frame Markle’s shoulders.
Meghan also wore a breathtaking silk floral-embroidered tulle veil that clocked in at five meters long and was held in place by Queen Mary’s diamond bandeau tiara. And in her hands: a bouquet designed by Philippa Craddock we’re told featured flowers hand-picked by Harry in the Kensington Palace garden.
Givenchy was not often bandied about as a forerunner for the designer, as it is a French design house. However, Keller is British, so the selection does give a nod to the former Suit star’s new home.
“After meeting Ms. Waight Keller in early 2018, Ms. Markle chose to work with [her] for her timeless and elegant aesthetic, impeccable tailoring, and relaxed demeanour,” according to a statement release by Kensington Palace.
Speculation as to who would craft Meghan’s gown first favored Ralph & Russo, a label she wore for her engagement photos, when the duo was spotted working late into the night. A sighting of a Burberry garment bag among her mother Doria Ragland’s luggage tossed that label’s name into the ring. Then at the last minute, Stella McCartney, another designer Meghan has turned to in her engagement, drew ahead as a favorite.
While none of these predictions were correct for her ceremony dress, any of the guesses could still prove to be true for her second gown to be revealed later today.
Meghan’s groom, Harry, chose to wear his Royal Marines ceremonial uniform, which is said to be a nod of respect to the regiment he took over as Captain General from grandfather Prince Philip. According to Kensington Palace, Queen Elizabeth gave her grandson permission to wear the blue doeskin doeskin suit.
As you may recall, Kate Middleton’s famous high-collared lace dress by Sarah Burton for Alexander McQueen created a huge demand for similar styles. We can only imagine Markle’s dress will do the same.
