When Meghan Markle wed Prince Harry at St George’s Chapel, Windsor, in 2018, all eyes were on her wedding dress. In the end, it was somewhat of an unexpected choice, with the Duchess of Sussex opting for an off-the-shoulder Givenchy gown by then-creative director Clare Waight Keller.
While London-based brands Ralph Russo and Erdem were considered favorites for the royal’s wedding dress at the time, Kensington Palace said the Givenchy gown epitomized “a timeless minimal elegance referencing the codes of the iconic house.” The choice was also indicative of the Duchess’s commitment to empowering women through her global platform: Waight Keller became the first female artistic director of the historic French fashion house in 2017.
Markle met Waight Keller in early 2018 and “chose to work with her for her timeless and elegant aesthetic, impeccable tailoring, and relaxed demeanor,” the statement from Kensington Palace continued. “Ms. Markle also wanted to highlight the success of a leading British talent who has now served as the creative head of three globally influential fashion houses: Pringle of Scotland, Chloé, and now Givenchy.”
The duo worked closely together on the design, which was created out of double bonded silk cady and had a purity that was achieved using six meticulously placed seams. The graphic open bateau neckline was the focus, in order to “gracefully frame the shoulders and emphasize the slender sculpted waist,” while 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 statement read. “The slim three-quarter sleeves [added] a note of refined modernity,” while the shoes were based on a Givenchy refined pointed couture design made of a silk duchesse satin.
“Clare Waight Keller is one of the most talented British designers,” commented Edward Enninful, British Vogue’s editor-in-chief at the time. “The dress is beautiful, and this is a brilliant moment in Clare Waight Keller’s tenure as the first female artistic director at the storied house of Givenchy.”
The veil, meanwhile, was designed to represent the distinctive flora of each Commonwealth country united in one spectacular composition. Made from five metre-long silk tulle with a trim of hand-embroidered flowers in silk threads and organza, it was held in place by Queen Mary s diamond bandeau tiara, lent to Markle by the Queen. The bandeau, made of diamonds and platinum, was complemented by Cartier earrings and a bracelet by the French jeweler.
“It is truly an honor to have been given the opportunity to closely collaborate with Meghan Markle on such a remarkable occasion,” Waight Keller said. “We wanted to create a timeless piece that would emphasize the iconic codes of Givenchy throughout its history, as well as convey modernity through sleek lines and sharp cuts. In contrast, the delicate floral beauty of the veil was a vision Meghan and I shared, a special gesture embracing the commonwealth flora, ascending the circumference of the silk tulle.”
