Shropshire Star

Harry thanked me for helping make Meghan look stunning, dress designer says

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

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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.

“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.”

One of designer Clare Waight Keller’s sketches for Meghan Markle’s wedding dress (Kensington Palace/Twitter/PA)
One of designer Clare Waight Keller’s sketches for Meghan Markle’s wedding dress (Kensington Palace/Twitter/PA)

Those working on it spent hundreds of hours meticulously sewing and washing their hands every thirty 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.”

Clare Waight Keller holds sketches during an interview at Kensington Palace (Hannah McKay/PA)
Clare Waight Keller holds sketches during an interview at Kensington Palace (Hannah McKay/PA)

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.

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.

Asked if she put much thought into her own outfit, she said: “Of course as a designer you always consider how you look.

“But I also wanted to make sure that I was somewhat invisible as well, that it was her moment, and that’s what was really key.

A piece of lace that shows the type of embroidery on Meghan's veil (Hannah Mckay/PA)
A piece of lace that shows the type of embroidery on Meghan’s veil (Hannah Mckay/PA)

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.

Ms Waight Keller said the process was collaborative, adding: “I think she had very much seen my work and knew what I did.

“I think she loved the fact that I was a British designer, and working in a house such as Givenchy which has its roots in a very classical, beautiful style.”

Ms Waight Keller said over time they quickly got to a point where Meghan felt she knew exactly what she wanted after various meetings and trials.

This meant that the designer got to know Meghan, and she said of the new Duchess of Sussex: “She’s exactly what you see on TV.

“She’s just so genuine and warm and radiant. She’s just glowing.

Waight Keller sketched the design for the dress (Kensington Palace/Twitter/PA)
Waight Keller sketched the design for the dress (Kensington Palace/Twitter/PA)

Asked about the moment Meghan was able to look at herself fully dressed and ready in the mirror on Saturday morning, Ms Waight Keller said: “She was just glowing. There’s so much emotion on a day like that anyway.

“But I think particularly when it all comes together, I think it is tremendous.

“She was absolutely radiant.”

Asked if there was any tears from Meghan, she said: “No, she was incredibly composed. It was really quite extraordinary.

“She’s just the most beautiful person.”

Asked about what Meghan’s mother Doria Ragland thought of her daughter, Ms Waight Keller said: “As she went into her car, her mother was already sitting in the car and you just could see there was so much love between them.”

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