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.
Photo: Getty Images
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.”