Meghan chose Keller “for her timeless
and elegant aesthetic, impeccable tailoring, and relaxed demeanour” and worked
closely with her on the design. The unembellished gown featured a graphic open bateau neckline, a
sculpted waist and slim three-quarter sleeves that drew attention to Meghan’s svelte
neckline, shoulders and slender waist. The lines of the dress extended towards
the back where the train flowed in soft round folds cushioned by an underskirt
in triple silk organza. The sleek lines of the gown were complemented with a
five metres long veil made from silk tulle with a trim of hand-embroidered
flowers in silk threads and organza, featuring flora of 53 Commonwealth
countries. The monarch length veil was a tribute to the queen who, at her
wedding in 1947, wore her own flower-embroidered veil with a long train.
The
elegantly classic dress reflected Meghan’s own style as well as epitomizing “a timeless minimal elegance referencing the codes of the
iconic House of Givenchy and showcasing the expert craftsmanship of its
world-renowned Parisian couture atelier founded in 1952.”
Prince
Harry’s mother, Princess Diana’s wore a wedding dress in 1981, designed by Elizabeth
Emanuel. Emanuel was all praise for Meghan’s gown, and said that the dress’s simplicity made a “really solid fashion
statement.” “It was absolutely plain and pure and elegant, past royal wedding
gowns tend to be very classic and very traditional, and this wasn’t because it
did not have all the lace and all the decoration and anything on it. It was a
new kind of look, but still classical and regal.”
Meghan's
clean cut look was dramatically different than Princess Diana's extravagantly
voluminous dress, though both featured high necklines covering their shoulders,
with simple fabric, both also had incredible long veils.
Something Borrowed…The Tiara
Meghan's hair arranged in an updo and adorned with the veil, was accessorized with the Queen Mary’s Diamond Bandeau made in 1932, last worn by Princess Margaret in 1965. It was borrowed from Harry's grandmother the Queen, in keeping with the tradition of loaning royal brides priceless heirlooms to wear on their wedding day. The tradition of wearing "something borrowed" is considered lucky and imparts the best wishes of family.
Meghan selected this little known diamond and platinum tiara,
which features a magnificent floral-shaped suspended brooch (the brooch dates
from 1893) in the centre made of a large round diamond surrounded by nine
smaller circular diamonds. It was specifically made for the Queen's grandmother
Queen Mary to accommodate the detachable brooch, which was given to Mary as a
wedding present in 1893 by the County of Lincoln. The bandeau is a flexible
band of 11 intricate glittering sections, pierced with interlaced ovals and pavé set with large and small brilliant
diamonds. The bandeau and the brooch were bequeathed by Queen Mary to her
granddaughter the Queen on her death in 1953.
53 flowers representing the
Commonwealth countries
Meghan's
five metre veil contained the distinctive flora of all 53 countries in the
Commonwealth, united in one spectacular composition. Kensington Palace said:
“Ms Markle expressed the wish of having all 53 countries of the Commonwealth
with her on her journey through the ceremony. Ms. Waight Keller designed a veil
representing the distinctive flora of each Commonwealth country united in one
spectacular floral composition.
The Commonwealth family of nations – of which Her Majesty
The Queen is Head –will be a central part of Prince Harry’s and Ms. Markle’s
official work following His Royal Highness’s appointment as Commonwealth Youth
Ambassador. "Ms Markle wanted to express her gratitude for the
opportunity to support the work of the Commonwealth by incorporating references
to its members into the design of her wedding dress.”
"Significant
time was spent researching the flora of each Commonwealth country and much care
was taken by Ms. Waight Keller to ensure that every flower is unique."
Hand
sewn floral shapes were worked flat, in three dimensions to create a unique and
delicate design. The workers spent hundreds of hours meticulously sewing and
washing their hands every thirty minutes to keep the tulle and threads
pristine.”
In
addition to the flora of the Commonwealth, Ms Markle also selected two personal
favourites: Wintersweet (Chimonanthus praecox), which grows in the grounds of
Kensington Palace in front of Nottingham Cottage, and the California Poppy
(Eschscholzia californica) the State flower from Ms Markle’s place of birth,
California.
Symmetrically
placed at the very front of the veil, crops of wheat are delicately embroidered
and blend into the flora, to symbolise love and charity.
Accessories and Styling
Meghan wore diamond earrings and bracelet made
by Cartier, while the wedding shoes were based on a Givenchy refined pointed couture
design made of a silk duchess satin. Meghan's hair was styled by Serge Normant,
with make-up by long-time friend and make-up artist Daniel Martin.
The Bride’s Bouquet
Prince Harry handpicked several flowers
yesterday from their private garden at Kensington Palace to add to the bespoke bridal bouquet designed by florist Philippa
Craddock.
Cost of dress
Celebrity stylist Lucas Armitage told Femail that a dress like
Meghan's is likely to cost in the region of £200,000.
'A whole team would be dedicated to every detail of the dress, the
fabric, the pattern, the toiles all working in tandem to create the
effortlessly chic piece' 'Don't underestimate its understated veneer, every stitch and
every seam will have been meticulously planned to perfection to give it the
perfect regal aesthetic. '
'I predict it will have cost around the £200K mark for such a
couture approach to bridal.'
Bespoke fabric from a Parisian mill: £60,000
Multiple fittings: £35,000
Seamstress and toile making: £74,000
Designing and pattern cutting: £25,000
Additional alterations pre-wedding day: £4000
TOTAL: £198,000
Watch
video of Meghan Markle’s dramatic arrival and elegant walk down the aisle to meet Prince Harry
