A vision in white

Soft, sculptural tailoring, modern flourishes and pure, pristine white silk with an ephemeral lustre were the defining features of the most anticipated gown of the year.

Graceful, refined and chic, the pure white Givenchy gown Meghan Markle wore to wed Prince Harry was an elegant triumph, created by the first woman to lead the French fashion house, Clare Waight Keller. The open bateau neckline revealed a hint of shoulder and emphasised the bride’s slender waist. Ms Waight Keller developed an exclusive double bonded silk cady with a soft matt lustre to perfect the sculptural look Meghan desired. With slim three-quarter sleeves and a train that flowed in soft round folds over an underskirt of triple silk organza, the impeccably tailored gown was demure and chic.

Givenchy is perhaps best known for creating the timeless dresses Audrey Hepburn wore in many of her films, most notably, Breakfast at Tiffany’s. Hubert de Givenchy also dressed Audrey for her own wedding to Italian psychiatrist Andrea Dotti. However, the present Artistic Director of the famed fashion house is a British woman who was brought into the historic haute couture atelier to modernise its timeless codes: minimal elegance and expert craftsmanship. In that respect, Ms Waight Keller’s influence on the historic fashion house reflects the role the Duke and Duchess of Sussex play in the monarchy.

The veil was five metres of silk tulle trimmed with hand-embroidered flowers that represented each of the 53 Commonwealth nations, including Golden Wattles for Australia. It was held in place by the Queen Mary diamond bandeau tiara of brilliant platinum-set diamonds. The dainty bouquet included flowers handpicked by Prince Harry.