BBC

Royal wedding 2018: Meghan Markle's

Givenchy dress in detail
 19 May 2018

 Royal Wedding 2018: Prince Harry and Meghan Markle

Image copyright Reuters

After months of speculation, Meghan Markle's wedding dress was revealed.

The pure white, boat neck gown was designed by British designer Clare Waight
Keller, the artistic director of French fashion house Givenchy.

Crowds saw the full gown - which had been kept a closely-guarded secret - as Ms
Markle stepped out at St George's Chapel at Windsor Castle at midday.

The designer
The designer, Clare Waight Keller, was appointed the first female artistic director at
Givenchy in 2017 and presented her debut collection for spring/summer earlier this year.

Ms Markle, who met Ms Waight Keller this year, chose to work closely with her on the
design because of her "timeless and elegant aesthetic, impeccable tailoring, and relaxed
demeanour", Kensington Palace said.

She previously served as the creative head of three globally-influential fashion houses -
Pringle of Scotland, Chloé, and now Givenchy.

According to Sara McAlpine, fashion features editor at Elle magazine, Givenchy has a
history of bringing in talent from the UK with past designers at the brand including John
Galliano and Alexander McQueen.

Meanwhile, bridal couture expert Emma Meek said choosing a woman who is the first
female creative head at the fashion house could be a "political statement" from the bride.

The bodice
The minimalist pure white gown has a boat neck, framing the shoulders and emphasising
Ms Markle's waist, and three-quarter length sleeves.

The haute couture dress is made of double-bonded silk cady cushioned by an underskirt
in triple silk organza.

Image copyright Getty Images

The neckline differs from the Duchess of Cambridge's high V-necked lace-covered gown
in 2011.

The veil
Ms Markle wore a five metre-long white silk veil covering her face which included floral
detail representing all 53 countries of the Commonwealth. The bride suggested the design
because the Commonwealth will be a central part of her and Prince Harry's official work
after they are married.

Image copyright Rex/Shutterstock

The designer spent significant time researching the flora of each country and much care
was taken to ensure that every flower was unique.

Ms Markle also chose her two other favourite flowers - Wintersweet found in Kensington
Palace and the California poppy, from where she was born - to be adorned on the veil.

Image copyright PA

The design of Ms Markle's veil is similar to the Duchess of Cambridge's, which was
made of layers of soft, ivory silk tulle which also had a trim of hand-embroidered
flowers.

David Emanuel, who designed Diana, Princess of Wales's dress, said it was "very clever"
to include the Commonwealth flowers in the veil.

"I think Diana would have approved," he said.

The material
Dressmakers spent hundreds of hours - including regularly washing their hands every 30
minutes - to make the long veil, which is hand-embroidered in silk threads and organza.

Emma Meek, the head of luxury bridal boutique Miss Bush, said compared to the
understated dress, the "enormous silk veil" is where the "craft and meaningful
decoration" lies.
Image copyright REX/Shutterstock Image copyright Getty Images Image copyright
Reuters Image copyright Getty Images

The tiara
Ms Markle's veil was held in place by Queen Mary's diamond bandeau tiara, loaned to
her by the Queen.

It is named after the wife of King George V, the Queen's grandfather.

At the centre of the bandeau is a detachable brooch of 10 brilliant diamonds, which was
given to Queen Mary as a wedding present in 1893. The brooch was later made into the
tiara in 1932.

The headpiece also includes diamonds and platinum in 11 sections. Ms Markle also wore
earrings and bracelet made by Cartier.

Image copyright PA Image copyright PA

Unlike the Duchess of Cambridge - who borrowed a 1936 Cartier "halo" tiara from the
Queen - Ms Markle wore her hair up, rather than loose.

The bride's hair was styled by Serge Normant, with make-up by long-time friend and
make-up artist Daniel Martin.

The bouquet
Prince Harry handpicked several flowers on Friday from their private garden at
Kensington Palace to add to the bespoke bridal bouquet designed by florist Philippa
Craddock.

It includes forget-me-nots which were Diana, Princess of Wales' favourite flower. They
were specifically chosen to honour the memory of the late princess.

The small bouquet also features scented sweet peas, lily of the valley, astilbe, jasmine
and astrantia, and sprigs of myrtle, all bound with a naturally dyed, raw silk ribbon.

Image copyright REX/Shutterstock

London-based florist Ms Craddock also created the floral displays at the chapel, which
was filled with white garden roses, peonies and foxgloves, branches of beech, birch and
hornbeam.
Floral designer Ms Craddock, who started her business nine years ago, has worked for the
V&A, Kensington Palace, Hampton Court Palace, Alexander McQueen, Christian Dior
and British Vogue.

Image copyright PA

Ms Markle previously said on her now-deleted Instagram account that peonies make her
"endlessly happy". Soon after the couple started dating, Ms Markle posted a picture of a
bouquet of pink and white peonies on the social media site.

The shoes
The wedding shoes are based on a Givenchy refined pointed couture design made of a
silk duchess satin.

What are people saying?

Sara McAlpine, from Elle magazine, said the dress was "definitely in keeping with her
[Ms Markle's] style", adding: "She's always had a very pared-back style in terms of very
simple, refined."

She added that Ms Markle is "signalling change" with the choice of fashion house
Givenchy, which has addressed the lack of diversity on catwalks. The "progressive"
brand is a well thought-out choice for the bride, Ms McAlpine said.

Emma Meek added that the design references Givenchy's history of dressing Audrey
Hepburn and her classic and timeless style, adding it is very "presidential".

Image copyright Getty Images Image caption Audrey Hepburn modelled a Cloque silk
evening dress, by Givenchy. Hepburn famously wore gowns by the designer in the films
Breakfast at Tiffany's and Sabrina.

"It brings back that non-fussy, refined simplicity. I am calling it the 'last word in first lady
dressing'," she added. "It also has a very American feel to it, quite sporty, preppy."

Elizabeth Von Der Goltz, from fashion brand Net-A-Porter, added: "Audrey having been
an actress, and Meghan as an actress seemed really fitting."

Meanwhile, Vogue's digital editor Alice Casely-Hayford agreed the choice of Waight
Keller was "brilliant recognition for fashion's female industry leaders".

She said despite the speculation that Erdem or Ralph & Russo would design the dress, the
choice was "the perfect fit".

She added it was "incredibly beautiful in its timelessness and surprisingly understated".
Jade Beer, editor of Brides magazine, said: "Had anyone been looking at the Givenchy
Spring 2018 couture collection, they would have seen all the hallmarks of Meghan's
wedding dress - bateau necklines, more fluid structure and a nod to soft tailoring.

"Real women will look at this dress and feel it is the definition of the ultimate chic
understated wedding gown."

What was Prince Harry wearing?

Image copyright Rex/Shutterstock

Both Prince Harry and the Duke of Cambridge wore the frockcoat uniform of the Blues
and Royals. Prince Harry was given permission from the Queen to get married in his
uniform.

Both outfits were tailored at Dege & Skinner on Savile Row, specialists in military
uniforms.

Forbes

May 19, 2018 @ 05:28 PM 4,309 2 Free Issues of Forbes

Royal Wedding: Prince Harry and

Meghan's Official Menu

Elva Ramirez , Contributor I cover food, drink, travel and the business of living well.
Opinions expressed by Forbes Contributors are their own.

Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex ride by carriage following
their wedding at St George's Chapel, Windsor Castle.(Photo: Pool/Samir
Hussein/WireImage)

The highly anticipated wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle took place this
Saturday before a global audience.

The dinner menu details are still to emerge but the first wedding menu, that of the
luncheon for 600 wedding guests hosted by Queen Elizabeth II, is now out.
Gallery

Celebrities at Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's Wedding

Launch Gallery
17 images

According to a statement by Buckingham Palace, guests enjoyed a range of British

cuisine from the royal kitchens. Passed canapés included Scottish langoustines wrapped
in smoked salmon with citrus crème fraiche, heritage tomato and basil tartare with
balsamic pearl, confit Windsor lamb croquettes with roasted vegetables and garden pea
panna cotta with quail eggs and lemon verbena.

Food bowls came in three options, including a free range chicken with mushrooms, a pea
and mint risotto with truffle oil and parmesan, and ten-hour slow-roasted Windsor pork
belly with apple compote and crackling.

Putting much speculation to rest: The official Champagne is Pol Roger Brut Réserve Non
Vintage Champagne, which was also served during Prince William and Catherine's 2011
wedding. The palace did not disclose which other wines were served at the reception but
speculation remains that at least one British sparkling wine would be featured.

Recommended by Forbes

Meghan, Duchess of Sussex and Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex leave Windsor Castle
after their wedding to attend an evening reception at Frogmore House, hosted by the
Prince of Wales. (Photo: Steve Parsons - WPA Pool/Getty Images)

With a nod to the no-ABV cocktail movement, guests of the royal couple were offered a
non-alcoholic drink: An apple and elderflower mocktail, created to complement the
elderflower in the wedding cake.  

This lunch reception features the cutting of the wedding cake. Designed by Claire Ptak,
the elderflower and lemon sponge cake features elderflower syrup made from the Queen's
personal elderflower trees, and Amalfi lemon curd. It is decorated with 150 fresh, mostly
British, flowers.

In addition to the cake, guests nibbled on Champagne and pistachio macaroons, orange

crème brûlée tartlets, and miniature rhubarb crumble tartlets.
The 600 wedding guests included marquee celebrities, including David and Victoria
Beckham, George and Amal Clooney, Oprah Winfrey, Serena Williams and George and
her husband Alexis Ohanian.

I am the founder of Ambianceuse.com, a website dedicated to luxury travel, food and

spirits. Follow me on Instagram at @HelloAmbianceuse.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/worldviews/wp/2018/05/19/the-surprise-star-of-
harry-and-meghans-wedding-bishop-michael-curry-from-chicago/?
noredirect=on&utm_term=.0be44f6abfd1

WorldViews

The surprise star of Harry and Meghan’s

wedding: Bishop Michael Curry from
Chicago
by Karla Adam and William Booth May 19 at 4:21 PM Email the author

WINDSOR, England — There are some things you come to expect from royal weddings:
There will almost certainly be fabulously silly British hats, a horse-drawn carriage ride,
and global media interest.

One thing you don’t expect: That sermon by the U.S. Bishop Michael Curry.

Curry, the first black leader of the Episcopal Church in the United States, delivered a 14-
minute barnstorming address that people in Windsor and beyond were talking about long
after Harry and Meghan officially tied the knot on Saturday afternoon.

[‘There’s power in love’: Read the fiery sermon at the royal wedding by the Episcopal
Church’s Michael Curry]

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle personally asked Curry to give an address in front of
600 guests at their wedding in St. George’s Chapel.

And did he ever. Curry was fiery, enthusiastic, passionate. He spoke in the style of black
American preachers. He quoted Martin Luther King Jr.

"’We must discover the power of love, the power, the redemptive power of love,’” he
said, quoting King. “‘And when we do that, we will make of this whole world a new
world. But love, love is the only way.’”
Markle is a proud, biracial American who has spoken openly about her ethnicity, and her
background wasn’t downplayed during the wedding. Sheku Kanneh-Mason, the 19-year-
old cellist who played at their wedding, was the first black musician to win the BBC
Young Musician of the Year Award. The Kingdom Choir, a Christian gospel group, sang
a stirring rendition of “Stand By Me.”

But it was Curry’s sermon that especially stood out.

He talked about the power of love, poverty and slavery in the American south.

At one point, he said “We gotta get y’all married now.”

Some of the fun came from the BBC live televised report that included cutaways to royal
family reactions of Curry’s sermon — capturing them either stone-faced, surprised or
giving off a whiff of “so this is how our American cousins roll?”

And his speech lit up the Twittersphere with some saying it was a breath of fresh air, and
others noting it highlighted transatlantic differences. Some, still, said he should have
dialed it back.

Everyone agreed it was unforgettable.