As Meghan Markle and Prince Harry celebrate their eighth wedding anniversary, her bridal look continues to draw attention for its nod to American royalty.
The Duchess of Sussex looked to the past for inspiration for her wedding day style. She was said to have loved Carolyn Bessette Kennedy’s ensemble and chose to emulate her elegant elements of her simplicity at her nuptials to Prince Harry.
Meghan Markle’s Simple But Elegant Dress Channeled Carolyn Bessette Kennedy
GettyOn May 19, 2018, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle were married at St. George’s Chapel in Windsor, England. While the ceremony drew global attention, it also featured several personal touches that reflected what mattered most to the couple.
One of these was a quiet simplicity inherent in Meghan’s bridal ensemble. Instead of a glittery, show-stopping, elaborate gown typical of most royal brides, the former “Suits” star opted for a low-key, elegant look.
PEOPLE Magazine reported that the former senior royal was inspired by Carolyn Bessette Kennedy’s minimalist bridal look. While the cut and look of their dresses were dramatically different, simple, clean lines were the same for both gowns.
The Duchess’s pure silk gown was designed by Clare Waight Keller for Givenchy. It had three-quarter length sleeves, a bandeau neckline, and a small train.
In contrast, Bessette’s Narcisso Rodriguez gown was a slip silk dress. The form-fitting gown ushered in a new era of bridal simplicity.
PEOPLE cited a 2016 Glamour Magazine article where Meghan admitted that Bessette’s bridal gown was “everything goals.” She cited the dress as her favorite celebrity wedding look.
“I have the luxury of wearing beautiful pieces of clothing every day for work, so my personal style—wedding or not—is very pared down and relaxed,” she continued. “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.”
Meghan Markle Called Her Wedding to Prince Harry a ‘Modern Fairytale’
During her wedding reception, Meghan Markle gave a speech honoring her relationship with Prince Harry, and likening their romance to a “modern fairytale.” The Independent shared the transcript of her speech in full. She read its contents from her cell phone during an installment of the Netflix series Harry & Meghan.
“Let’s call this a modern fairytale,” she began. “Once upon a time, there was a girl from L.A. Some people called her an actress. And there was a guy from London. Some people called him a prince. All of those people didn’t fully get it. Because this is the love story of a boy and a girl who were meant to be together.”
Meghan continued, “They meet on July 3rd, 2016, in London. And they giggle endlessly. They have their second date, and he brings her cupcakes because it’s July 4. ‘A bittersweet celebration,’ he says. ‘Ironic really.'”
“Her country’s independence from his country. Yet in this moment, they know they don’t want to be independent from each other. And after a month of long-distance courtship, they settle into the quiet of Botswana. And amidst whatever momentary worries that creep in, they look at each other and think, whatever world we’re in.”
“They would love and garden and travel and laugh, and rack up more air miles than any couple could have. And when the tides were rough, they squeezed each other tighter. ‘Nothing can break us,’ they’d say. ‘For this love, she was a fighter.’ “I appreciate, respect and honor you, my treasure, for the family we will create. And our love story that will last forever.”
Since tying the knot, the couple welcomed two children: Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet. They reside in California.
