‘Absolutely stunning’ bride leaves Harry in awe

Dress designer thanked for making ‘radiant’ Meghan look fantastic

The designer of Meghan’s wedding dress said Prince Harry thanked her for her role in making his new wife look “absolutely stunning”.

Birmingham-born Clare Waight Keller, who made history as the first female artistic director at French fashion house Givenchy, was revealed as the designer of the eagerly awaited wedding dress on Saturday morning.

The designer, 47, said Harry spoke to her after the ceremony at St George’s Chapel.

“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,” she said.

Ms Waight Keller added: “Well I think everybody saw on television – he was absolutely in awe I think. She looked just incredible and it showed.”

The bridal gown was simple in a classic white, but the elaborate veil was embroidered with flowers from each of the 53 Commonwealth nations.

Those working on it spent hundreds of hours meticulously sewing and washing their hands every 30 minutes to keep the tulle and threads pristine.

The identity of Meghan’s dress designer was top secret, and remained under wraps until Saturday morning – not even the designer’s husband and children knew.

Talking about when her family finally became aware, she said: “Literally on the morning. It was really a secret.”

She said her husband Philip Keller, an American architect, was proud of her and watched the wedding on TV when he heard the big news.

Ms Waight Keller appeared on the steps of St George’s Chapel when Meghan arrived to ensure her veil and train looked pristine, and helped to arrange it before the couple made their exit as husband and wife – a role often performed by the maid of honour.

There was no maid of honour as Meghan did not want to choose just one person out of her close group of friends to perform the role.

Ms Waight Keller said she did not think about the fact the world would be watching.

“I didn’t really think about it. I was actually just thinking about the dress and the veil. I wanted just for her to feel and look amazing.

“It was just an important moment to get all of that right and I thought she just looked spectacular,” she said.

Ms Waight Keller said it was confirmed to her in early January that she was the chosen designer. “It was an extraordinary moment when she told me. Of course it’s an incredible thing to be part of such a historic moment,” she said.

Meghan’s hair stylist Serge Normant said it was “dreamy” to work with Meghan, creating a bun that was “messy, in a controlled way”.

Just hours before she emerged on to the steps of St George’s Chapel to worldwide audience, Meghan appeared relaxed, Mr Normant said.

“She was calm, yeah. Chatty, absolutely. We were definitely having exchanges, yeah for sure,” he said.

“She was very happy. It was a beautiful morning, just the perfect morning to get married.”

Pictures: PA. Not even the family of Clare Waight Keller knew she was the designer.