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British RoyalsThe Sussexes

Clare Waight Keller on designing Meghan’s wedding dress: “She looked just incredible and it showed.”

Clare Waight Keller has given an interview about designing the Duchess of Sussex’s wedding dress, saying that “it’s an incredible thing to be part of such a historic moment.” Kensington Palace also released two sketches of the gown earlier today.

Waight Keller is the artistic director of Givenchy, a French fashion label. She is British born – and it’s been reported that Meghan would disguise herself and head over to Chelsea to have private meetings with her – and the first woman to head Givenchy.

“I think she loved the fact that I was a British designer and working in a house such as Givenchy, which has its roots in a very classical, beautiful style,” Waight Keller said.

@KensingtonRoyal/Twitter

She was told by Meghan personally that she’d won the commission in January and kept it so close to the vest that she didn’t even tell her husband or children that she’d be designing the royal wedding dress. Only five people knew the secret.

Kensington Palace announced that “Ms Markle…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, Chloe and now Givenchy.”

Waight Keller said that it was a collaborative effort with Meghan and that Meghan wasn’t shy about sharing her opinions.

“She’s exactly what you see on television. She’s just so genuine and warm and radiant. She’s just glowing,” Waight Keller said.

“She’s a strong woman. She knows what she wants, and it was really an absolute joy working with her.”

Kensington Palace revealed yesterday that Meghan chose Waight Keller and Givenchy because of the label’s “timeless and elegant aesthetic, impeccable tailoring, and relaxed demeanour.”

Meghan’s wedding dress featured a bateau neckline and a sculpted waist that opened into a train of silk organza.

Her veil, also designed by Waight Keller, was five-metres long and featured the flora insignia of all 53 Commonwealth member nations – as well as the wintersweet flower, which grows outside of her Kensington Palace home at Nottingham Cottage and the California poppy to represent her home state. At the front of the veil crops of wheat were embroidered to symbolise love and charity.

@KensingtonRoyal/Twitter

After the ceremony, Waight Keller revealed that Prince Harry came up to her to gush over the dress.

“He came straight up to me and he said, ‘Oh my God, thank you, she looks absolutely stunning.’ So I think for the both of them, they were just radiant at that time.”

Waight Keller was spotted on the steps of St George’s Chapel as Meghan pulled up and helped the young Mulroney twins unbundle the five-metre veil. She could be seen guiding them where to hold the veil as they accompanied Meghan up the steps.

“I wanted to make sure that I was somewhat invisible,” Waight Keller said of her navy-blue ensemble yesterday. “That was her moment, and that’s what was really key. But I wanted her to feel that I was there if she needed me.

“She looked just incredible, and it showed.”

About author

Jess Ilse is the Assistant Editor at Royal Central. She specialises in the British, Danish, Norwegian and Swedish Royal Families and has been following royalty since Queen Elizabeth II’s Golden Jubilee. Jess has provided commentary for media outlets in Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia. Jess works in communications and her debut novel THE MAJESTIC SISTERS will publish in Fall 2024.