Without a doubt, Meghan Markle's breathtaking and groundbreaking wedding dress has left an indelible imprint on our minds since its unveiling in 2018. However, the dress's designer, Clare Waight Keller, recently shared a new detail about its creation that reignites our adoration for the ensemble.
In an interview with Vanity Fair, Waight Keller revealed that the duchess added a sentimental touch to the traditional “something blue” element by incorporating a piece of gingham-patterned blue fabric from the dress she wore on her first date with Prince Harry into the hem of the wedding gown.
“We essentially sewed it into the wedding dress's hem, so she was the sole keeper of this secret. It was a small blue gingham check,” disclosed the former artistic director of Givenchy. “It served as the perfect personal keepsake, discreetly concealed within the dress.”
Markle's wedding dress wasn't the sole component of her bridal ensemble that held profound meaning. The former actress's 16.5-foot silk tulle veil paid homage to her California roots, her forthcoming role within the royal family, and all 53 Commonwealth countries through meticulously hand-embroidered flowers.
“[She] wanted to convey a sense of carrying a piece from each of those countries with her down the aisle. She wanted to capture the essence of her new role and the bridge it represented,” explained the gown's designer. “For both of us, it felt like a truly beautiful signature touch. Even Prince Harry was thrilled by the idea that we made an effort to incorporate something significant for everyone in the ceremony.”
Waight Keller continued, “King Charles was utterly captivated by the dress and the intricate embroidery on the veil. While we were waiting inside the nave, he inquired about it and displayed a genuine interest in the various motifs and floral representations.”