A Royal Guide to Meghan Markle's Wedding Dresses

We can vividly remember when we got our first look at Meghan Markle's wedding dress at her star-studded 2018 royal wedding. That's because, after months of speculation, the Duchess of Sussex's grand bridal reveal took the world by storm, becoming one of the most celebrated royal fashion moments in history.

Specifically, Markle channeled Princess Margaret's Norman Hartnell silk organza dress for her first wedding ensemble, keeping things simple while setting trends for years to come. She then surprised the world by switching into a Stella McCartney high-neck, halter dress for her reception, bringing a modern touch to traditional royal aesthetics.

Though she and Prince Harry have caused a bit of controversy since saying "I do," that hasn't stopped people from doting on Markle's wedding day looks, especially brides-to-be with minimal and classic tastes. And for those interested in learning more about the Duchess of Sussex's two bridal getups, keep reading below for everything we know.

Meghan Markle's Givenchy Wedding Dress

From Ralph & Russo to Erdem and Alexander McQueen, many designer names were thrown around as contenders for the future Duchess's wedding dress. But it was British designer Clare Waight Keller who ultimately took home the prize, designing Markle's gown under the Givenchy label.

After stepping out of the car outside of St. George's Chapel with her mother, Doria Ragland, who was clad in Oscar de la Renta, Markle's look made an immediate fashion statement. Focusing on small meaningful details, and keeping the dress itself rather minimal and classic, the Duchess chose to embrace her personal style, veering from past royal bridal fashion trends of opulent lace and crystal embellishments.

As noted in a statement released by Kensington Palace, "The dress epitomizes 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." The statement continues, "True to the heritage of the house, the pure lines of the dress are achieved using six meticulously placed seams. The focus of the dress is the graphic open bateau neckline that gracefully frames the shoulders and emphasizes the slender sculpted waist. The lines of the dress extend towards the back where the train flows in soft round folds cushioned by an underskirt in triple silk organza. The slim three-quarter sleeves add a note of refined modernity."

“The Duchess and Ms. Waight Keller worked closely together on the design, which epitomizes a timeless minimal elegance referencing the codes of the iconic House of Givenchy,” Kensington Palace later posted on Instagram, alongside a pair of exclusive dress sketches.

A few months after the wedding, Markle herself joined the conversation to describe the process of creating the dream dress. "I had a very clear vision of what I wanted for the day, and what I wanted the dress to look like," the Duchess said. "So what was amazing in working with Clare is that sometimes you'll find designers try to push you in a different direction, but she just completely respected what I wanted to see for the day, and she wanted to bring that to life for me. In so many ways you are capturing dreams, that as a girl and as you become a woman you will have been thinking about for years."

Meghan Markle's Wedding Day Veil

It wasn't just the dress that made a splash, as Markle's 16.5-foot silk tulle veil (which featured embroidered flowers) was also created with a special sentiment. “Ms. Waight Keller designed a veil representing the distinctive flora of all 53 Commonwealth countries united in one spectacular floral composition," the palace shared in a statement. Wintersweet, which grows on the grounds of Kensington Palace in front of Nottingham Cottage, and the California Poppy, the state flower of California where Meghan had grown up, were also among the flowers included.

Keller herself also chimed in on Instagram to reflect on just how special creating this piece of history was for her. "A Dream Day accompanying stunning #meghanmarkle on her journey to become the Duchess of Sussex in @givenchyofficial," she captioned a photo of Meghan Markle on the chapel steps.

Meghan Markle's Wedding Day Accessories

For her walk down the aisle, Meghan paired her veil with the Queen Mary Diamond Bandeau Tiara, a Cartier bracelet, and pair of earrings. In a press release, Kensington Palace noted, "The veil is held in place by Queen Mary's diamond bandeau tiara, lent to Ms. Markle by The Queen. The diamond bandeau is English and was made in 1932, with the entre brooch dating from 1893."

The center brooch boasted ten diamonds and was a wedding gift from the County of Lincoln when Mary of Teck wed Prince George, the Duke of York in 1893. What's more, it wasn't until forty years later that Queen Elizabeth's grandmother had the bandeau specially designed to accommodate an interchangeable center brooch. In fact, the tiara is so rare that it hasn't been seen or worn in public in over half a century. "The bandeau and the brooch were bequeathed by Queen Mary to The Queen in 1953," notes the Palace. 

Meghan herself favored the accessory for its minimalism, which meshed perfectly with her full wedding day ensemble. "I think it was just perfect because it was so clean and simple—and also to that point, an extension of what Clare and I had been trying to do with the dress, which was have something that could be so incredibly timeless but still feel modern," she stated in a recording for the "A Royal Wedding: The Duke and Duchess of Sussex" display at Windsor Castle.

Meghan Markle's Stella McCartney Wedding Dress

Following the ceremony, the Duchess of Sussex debuted her second wedding dress of the day: a stunning Stella McCartney halter-neck sheath gown, which she wore to the evening royal reception hosted by King Charles III at Frogmore House.

First seen as the newlyweds climbed into a vintage convertible, Meghan Markle's reception gown toted a slinky silhouette and a refined glamour. With a high halter neckline and sans sleeves, this ensemble was wholly modern and totally Meghan. The designer of the gorgeous gown, Stella McCartney, was also perfectly aligned with the bride's aesthetic. That's because not only is Stella McCartney a quintessential British designer, but her design house also promotes eco-friendly fashion, vegan leathers, and sustainability, three things that are on-brand for the philanthropic Duchess of Sussex.

“I am so proud and honored to have been chosen by the Duchess of Sussex to make her evening gown and represent British design,” McCartney told WWD. “It has truly been one of the most humbling moments of my career and I am so proud of all the team on this stunning sunny royal day."