Meghan Markle weds Prince Harry in bespoke Givenchy wedding dress
After months of speculation, Meghan Markle’s wedding dress has finally been revealed. The 36-year-old bride wore a white gown by Clare Waight Keller for Givenchy with a sparkly tiara for her wedding to Prince Harry today.
We first caught a glimpse of Meghan’s cold-shoulder dress as she travelled from her hotel, Clivedon House, in a vintage Rolls-Royce limousine – loaned for the day by Queen Elizabeth II – alongside her 61-year-old mother Doria Ragland at 11.19am this morning.
We finally managed to take a closer look at the bride’s dress, as she arrived at St George’s Chapel at 12pm with her pageboys in tow.
It was a moment we’d all been waiting for – and we certainly weren’t disappointed.
Why did Meghan choose Givenchy to design her wedding dress?
Keller was named the first female artistic director at the French fashion house last year and what better way to kick-start her career for the label?
According to a statement released by Kensington Palace, Meghan first met the British designer back in early 2018 to collaborate on a ‘timeless’ and ‘elegant’ gown. In keeping with the heritage of the fashion house, the gown features an open bateau neckline which accentuates the shoulders complete with three-quarter length sleeves and a seriously-impressive train.
The former actress wished to highlight the success of the leading British talent by wearing the brand for the high-profile event.
![Meghan Markle donned an incredible veil to the history-making ceremony [Photo: Getty]](https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/BSY_yeJ_rhe5TXhod76hzQ--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTk2MDtoPTYyMw--/https://media.zenfs.com/en/homerun/feed_manager_auto_publish_494/d11f867c9c7689997e6ba715a3fefe2e)
The wedding dress is made from double-bonded silk cady and was made in a pure white hue chosen by Meghan in order to bring an air of modernity to the traditional ceremony.
Meghan has undoubtedly brought a touch of Hollywood glamour to the quintessentially British event in a draping five-metre veil and Queen Mary’s Filigree tiara which features a glitzy diamond brooch in the centre.
On designing the wedding dress, Keller revealed in a statement: “It is truly an honour to have been given the opportunity to closely collaborate with Meghan Markle on such a remarkable occasion.
She added, “As a British designer at a Parisian Haute Couture house, and on behalf of all us at Givenchy who have been able to experience such an extraordinary process of creativity, I am extremely proud of what we have accomplished and grateful to Meghan Markle, Prince Harry and Kensington Palace for allowing us to be part of this historical chapter.”
“It has been an immensely rewarding experience to get to know Meghan on a personal level, one I will forever carry with me. The House of Givenchy joins me in wishing her and Prince Harry every wish of happiness in their future.”
A post shared by Kensington Palace (@kensingtonroyal) on May 20, 2018 at 5:45am PDT
It’s interesting to add that despite speculation, Meghan decided to follow royal protocol in a white gown. It was widely rumoured that she may opt for a different hue, as a consequence to having married film producer, Trevor Engelson, back in 2011.
The meaning behind Meghan’s wedding veil
The most stunning aspect to her bridal look is undoubtedly the veil. In a sartorial move which represent’s Meghan’s future role within the royal family, her veil includes a distinctive flora which symbolises the 53 countries of the commonwealth.
The silk tulle veil is an impressive five metres long and features hand-embroidered flowers in silk threads and organza. Alongside the flora of the commonwealth, Meghan also requested two of her favourite flowers – Wintersweet and the California Poppy – to be stitched into the elaborate veil.
At the front of the veil, embroidered crops of wheat symbolise love and charity.
![Meghan Markle’s Givenchy dress boasts an impressive veil [Photo: Getty]](https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/Ce4UtYX5cQl7h2yjucZwHg--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTk2MDtoPTY0MA--/https://media.zenfs.com/en/homerun/feed_manager_auto_publish_494/85b42599fdca183224de2937b3b2e0b9)
Meghan’s wedding tiara
For the history-making ceremony, Meghan borrowed Queen Mary’s diamond bandeau tiara. The sparkly number was made in 1932 and features a brooch which dares back to 1893. It was originally created for Queen Mary using the brooch which was first given to the royal as a present.
The tiara is made of diamonds and platinum with interlaced ovals featured throughout. The centre is set with a detachable brooch which boasts ten diamonds.
To further accessorise the bridal look, Meghan wore diamond earrings and a co-ordinating bracelet made by Cartier.
Meghan’s wedding day make-up
Meghan’s wedding day hair was styled by Serge Normant while long-time friend – Daniel Martin – did her make-up. Her minimal aesthetic echoes the Duchess of Cambridge’s wedding day look, as she graced the headlines after deciding to do her own make-up.
Meghan’s wedding bouquet
In a statement released by Kensington Palace, it was revealed that Prince Harry hand-picked several flowers yesterday from the couple’s private home at Kensington Palace which were then added to the bride’s bouquet.
Designed by Philippa Craddock, the spring bunch also pays tribute to the late Princess Diana with her favourite flowers, Forget-Me-Nots.
Meghan’s wedding bouquet also features scented sweet peas, lily of the valley and jasmine. Myrtle sprigs have also been included which were taken from a plant grown from the myrtle used in the Queen’s 1947 wedding bouquet.
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