Insider Details About the Second Royal Wedding Dress Only Meghan Markle’s Guests Got to See
Meghan Markle pulled out all the stops on her royal wedding day, especially when it came to fashion. The bride had not one but two full wedding looks, complete with two very different style dresses, a shoe change, and a jewelry swap.
Ahead, we take a look at some of the most incredible details from Meghan’s royal wedding looks. Plus, details about her second wedding dress that her guests got to see up close (page 5 and page 6).
1. Her first wedding dress
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle | Ben Stansall-WPA Pool/Getty Images
In one of the most anticipated parts of the day, Meghan walked down the aisle in a structured, off-the-shoulder wedding dress designed by Clare Waight Keller, Artistic Director at Givenchy. The dress featured a more modern (aka, revealing) neckline, three quarter length sleeves, and other minimal, fuss-free details that fit right in with her personal style.
The dress was exactly what Meghan wanted: simple, classic, elegant, and structured.
Next: A sentimental detail
2. The special meaning behind her veil
Meghan Markle walks down the aisle. | Jane Barlow-WPA Pool/Getty Images
Meghan made up for her plain dress with her veil. The 16-foot veil featured 53 hand-embroidered flowers, each representing the Commonwealth countries. In addition, she also paid homage to Kensington Palace and her home state by incorporating the California poppy and Wintersweet (grown on the grounds of Kensington Palace) in the design.
Next: Something borrowed
3. She borrowed a tiara from the queen’s collection
Prince Harry marries Meghan Markle. | Dominic Lipinski-WPA Pool/Getty Images
With the queen’s jewelry box (OK, it’s probably a closet) at her fingertips, Meghan didn’t have to worry about her something borrowed. On her royal wedding day, Meghan wore Queen Mary’s Diamond Bandeau tiara.
The sparkler features a removable center brooch, given to Queen Mary in 1893 and a bandeau headpiece, made specifically for the brooch. The headpiece is made up of 11 sections of diamonds and platinum with interlaced ovals and was frequently worn by the queen’s sister, Princess Margaret — only she preferred a sapphire center stone.
Next: Meghan’s second wedding dress.
4. She changed into her second dress after the first reception
Duchess of Sussex and Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex leave Windsor Castle after their wedding to attend an evening reception at Frogmore House. | Steve Parsons-WPA Pool/Getty Images
Like her wedding dresses, Meghan Markle also had two wedding receptions. She stayed in her first dress for the afternoon reception where all 600 guests enjoyed a brunch in St. George’s Hall inside Windsor Castle. Following the afternoon festivities, she changed into her second dress before heading to her and Harry’s more intimate reception at Frogmore House.
Next: Who designed it?
5. Stella McCartney designed it
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle | Steve Parsons/AFP/Getty Images
For her second wedding dress, Meghan went with something a little more flirty by British fashion designer, Stella McCartney. “I am so proud and honored to have been chosen by the Duchess of Sussex to make her evening gown and represent British design,” she told Women’s Wear Daily.
The backless silk dress featured a high halter neckline that flattered her shoulders, as well as clean lines that mirrored the simplicity and elegance of her Givenchy gown.
Next: Something blue
6. Her wedding gift from Harry
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle | Steve Parsons-WPA Pool/Getty Images
Meghan also did a quick jewelry swap and traded her tiara for something even more sentimental: Princess Diana’s emerald-cut aquamarine cocktail ring. Reportedly given to Meghan as a wedding gift from Harry, the ring stole the show as she made her way to Frogmore House for the evening reception.
In addition to the stunning jewel, Meghan also wore a pair of Aquazzura heels with baby blue soles as her something blue for the evening reception.
Next: Did Meghan steal Kate’s wedding look?
7. Kate Middleton also wore a second wedding dress
Kate Middleton in her second wedding dress | John Stillwell-WPA Pool/Getty Images
Meghan is not the first to wear a second dress on her big day — Kate did it, too. Following her Westminster Abbey nuptials, the duchess let her hair down (literally and figuratively) and changed into a second wedding dress by Sarah Burton for Alexander McQueen.
Ironically, the dress Kate wore was very similar to the dress Meghan Markle wore when she married Trevor Engelson just a few months after Kate’s wedding in 2011. Did Meghan draw inspiration from Kate’s second wedding dress?
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