After Much Anticipation, the World Sees Meghan's Dress

A Givenchy boat-necked silk gown designed by Clare Waight Keller
By Newser Editors and Wire Services
Posted May 19, 2018 7:00 AM CDT
After Much Anticipation, the World Sees Meghan's Dress
Meghan Markle arrives for her wedding ceremony at St. George's Chapel in Windsor Castle in Windsor, near London, England, on Saturday.   (Andrew Matthews/pool photo via AP)

British designer Clare Waight Keller is the master designer behind the silk boat-necked gown and long veil worn by Meghan Markle as she walked down the flower-bedecked nave of St. George's Chapel for her wedding to Prince Harry. Waight Keller, the first female artistic director of French fashion house Givenchy, met Markle earlier this year, Kensington Palace says. The statement notes Markle wanted a dress with an "elegant aesthetic, impeccable tailoring, and relaxed demeanor." Markle's choice was being closely watched Saturday given how big an impact royal weddings have on what brides everywhere want to wear, per the AP.

Princess Diana's 1981 wedding gown, with its romantic details and dramatic train, defined the '80s fairy-tale bridal look. More recently, when Kate Middleton married Prince William in 2011, her long-sleeved lace gown immediately sparked a trend for more covered-up, traditional lace bridal dresses. Markle's choice was a far cry from what she wore for her first wedding to film producer Trevor Engelson: For that beach wedding in 2011, she sported a simple, strapless white gown adorned with a jeweled belt. Markle and Engelson divorced in 2013.

(More royal wedding stories.)

Get the news faster.
Tap to install our app.
X
Install the Newser News app
in two easy steps:
1. Tap in your navigation bar.
2. Tap to Add to Home Screen.

X