Meghan Markle Wedding Dress Explainer
Perhaps there is no secret more closely guarded within the hallowed halls of Kensington Palace than the name of Meghan Markle's wedding dress designer. We won't know for sure until May 19, but there's been plenty of reputable breadcrumbs since the engagement was announced in November of last year. Here are all the very best theories-and none of the crazy ones-gathered in one place.
There were some early red white herrings.
In December, a sketch leaked from Israeli designer Inbal Dror, who had reportedly submitted a few options to Markle & Co. for consideration. Each option had cinched waists and long-sleeves-which might have been part of Markle's mandate. One had full skirt, others were more streamlined. And although a report came out in January that a designer had definitely been selected, Dror's name wasn't mentioned again.
We're guessing it won't be strapless.
As royal gossipers love pointing out, Markle was previously married in 2011. For that wedding, she wore a strapless dress with a dip in the neckline and a crystal-beaded belt. If she did it then, she probably won't do it again, no?
Before she was royal, she had some ideas.
Markle told Glamour in March 2016 that her dream wedding dress, "is very pared down and relaxed. Classic and simple is the name of the game, perhaps with a modern twist. I personally prefer wedding dresses that are whimsical or subtly romantic. Delphine Manivet and Christos Costarellos are faves of mine for their uniqueness and beauty. And I will always be a fan of Elie Saab. J. Mendel is spectacular as well, especially for more structural designs."
Her favorite celeb wedding dress is "Carolyn Bessette Kennedy['s]. Everything goals." Of course, Markle was talking about a dress potential for her Suits character Rachel Zane-but the sentiment still stands.
The designer is TBD, but there are a few solid contenders.
Ralph & Russo, the London-based design team behind the bride-to-be's engagement ball gown, is an obvious frontrunner. They make gorgeous dresses, Markle likes those dresses, and they're from the U.K. Update 5/15: According to a report from Page Six, the firm has not been selected for the big dress.
That being said, Burberry is also a strong contender. Not only have royal brides dating back to Queen Victoria opted for British labels, but Markle is a known supporter of the designs. She wore a Burberry tartan coat for an Edinburgh trip earlier this year. The May 15 report from Page Six suggested that although designer Christopher Bailey is leaving the house in December, designing Markle's dress might be his final swan song.
The Daily Mail also reported on "several meetings" at Burberry "held recently by senior executives to co-ordinate...a 'major PR strategy' around a 'high profile' dress."
Another British brand, Erdem, is also in the mix. As we reported earlier, a flurry of new PR staff hires got people talking.
Stella McCartney has also been mentioned.
Other good bets? Alexander McQueen, the designer behind Kate Middleton's dress.
And Giles Deacon, who designed Pippa's dress. Although, if you were Meghan Markle, would you choose a designer that your sister-in-law or her sister already nabbed, or would you try to do something entirely fresh? Our money is on the latter.
Lace and sleeves are likely.
There's a few reasons to think this. For starters, a source said as much to Vanity Fair. "The wedding dress itself will be traditional and elegant. There is talk of some lace and sleeves and Meghan has been working very closely with the designer who has been sworn to secrecy," the report stated. But also, the Ralph & Russo dress Markle wore for her engagement photos had long sleeves and a sheer, embroidered bodice that wasn't un-lace-like.
There's not one dress, but two.
A source told Vanity Fair that she's doing the old switcheroo: A dress for the ceremony and one to boogie down in at the reception. “She will have two dresses, one for the ceremony and another dress for the evening,” revealed a source. “The plan is for her to change after the ceremony so that she can party the night away in something glamorous and less restrictive." Oftentimes when brides go the two dress route, the first dress is even more elegant-think long train, potentially long sleeves, high neck, etc.-and the second is shorter, flashier, and more fun.
Harry's in the dark, too.
When it comes to weddings, royals are not actually just like us. (Like how they have tiny little ladies-not adult women-as their bridesmaids, and popstars and kings on the guestlist.) But as People reports, there is one very relatable tradition they will be sticking to: Harry isn't seeing Meghan in the dress before the big day. “That tradition is very important to them,” a palace spokesman said.
You Might Also Like
