Prince Harry’s first words to Meghan Markle’s Givenchy wedding dress designer as he tells her ‘oh my God, thank you’
THRILLED Prince Harry walked up to Meghan’s dress designer and told her: “Oh My God, she looks absolutely stunning.”
Clare Waight Keller revealed that the groom personally thanked her after Saturday’s Royal Wedding service.
Clare said that when Meghan was able to look at herself fully dressed in the mirror “she was just glowing”.
She added: “There’s so much emotion on a day like that. When it all comes together, it is tremendous. She was absolutely radiant and incredibly composed. It was quite extraordinary. She's just the most beautiful person.”
Clare acted as Meghan’s unoffical maid of honour at St George’s Chapel, Windsor as she helped smooth down the gown and adjust the 16ft veil and train.
She said: “I just wanted her to look amazing. “
THE TRAIN
MEGHAN’S showstopping dress was set off by a 16ft organza veil and train featuring flowers from all 53 Commonwealth countries.
Included in the embroidery were two of Meghan’s favourite flowers.
They were wintersweet, which grows outside Nottingham Cottage in Kensington Palace, and the California Poppy, representing her home state.
Dress makers had to wash their hands every half hour to keep the silk tulle and threads pristine.
The pageboys wore replicas of Harry’s Blues and Royals frockcoat.
Each had their initials embroidered in gold on the shoulders.
Twin pageboys Brian and John Mulroney, seven, helped Meghan as she walked up the West steps to the Chapel door.
Clare said: “That was really Meghan’s idea. They were adorable boys and they did a fantastic job, I have to say. It was important that they placed themselves in the right spot.
“On the day the boys felt very confident. They were loving the moment, I think.”
She added: “Meghan was just flowing after the ceremony.
How the Royal Wedding has unfolded so far...
- Meghan wore Diana’s ring as Harry drove the pair to their star-studded reception after tying the knot
- Meghan changed out of her Givenchy wedding dress into a bespoke lily white high-neck silk crepe gown by Stella McCartney for the party
- Celebrities including George and Amal Clooney, the Beckhams and Oprah Winfrey partied the night away at the lavish bash
- Elton John entertained guests by singing his hit songs ‘Tiny Dancer’, ‘Your Song’ and ‘Circle of Life’ at the party
- Prince Charles ‘had reception guests in stitches’ with gags about changing Harry’s nappy before a glittering firework display
- Prince Harry and Meghan Markle earlier sealed their marriage with a kiss after a groundbreaking modern Royal Wedding
- Meghan stunned in a Givenchy gown with a 15ft veil embroidered with flowers for the ceremony
- Princess Charlotte and Prince George melted hearts with their outfits for the big day
- At the ceremony American Bishop Michael Curry stole the show with an eccentric speech
She said of Harry: “He just came straight up to me and said: ‘Oh my God, she looks absolutely stunning’.
“It was a wonderful moment for both of them and I’m really proud.”
Birmingham-born Clare, who has twin daughters and a son, made history as the first female artistic director at Givenchy.
She kept the commission such a secret that she only told her husband and children on the day of the wedding.
THE HAIR
CELEBRITY hairdresser Serge Normant said he was inspired by the 1960s and icons such as Audrey Hepburn for Meghan’s wedding day style.
New York-based Serge, 52, left, described the look as “a messy bun” — but stressed: “It’s messy in a controlled way”.
He added: “Pins were the key to this updo. Blow dry, I used a few products, a little mousse a little texturising product, just to make it look a bit more shiny.
“I dried it with a round brush and then used a little iron on the edges just to give it texture.”
Clare said Meghan may have admired her role as a successful “working mother”.
She added: “I think she really admired the fact that I was a woman designer and the many companies I’ve worked for — British and international.
“And the fact that I’m a working mother maybe played into that as well, so that was maybe part of her story.”
Meghan’s hairdresser Paris-born Serge Normant, 52, said she was a calm and chatty bride.
THE JEWELS
THE bride’s veil was held in place by Queen Mary’s diamond bandeau tiara, below — which dates back to 1932 and was lent to her by the Queen.
Meghan has a ring fashioned from Welsh gold and Harry a platinum band with a textured finish. Both were made by Cleave and Company.
Meghan also wore earrings and a bracelet made by Cartier.
He claimed it took him just 45 minutes to style her hair using grips you can pick up in a supermarket for only a few pounds.
And he declared it was “dreamy” to work with the Suits star.
Harry, 33, and his best man, brother Prince William 35 — looked respendent in their Blues and Royals uniforms. The brothers both served in the regiment.
Who is Clare Waight Keller? Meghan Markle's bridal designer revealed
Birmingham-born Clare Waight Keller is set to be a household name, as the woman who made Meghan Markle's stunning wedding dress.
The 47-year-old took over as Artistic Director at the Givenchy design house in May 2017, the first female to take the reigns in its 66 year history.
The label's founder Hubert de Givenchy died in March of this year at the age of 91, he styled style icons such as Audrey Hepburn and Jackie Kennedy in his legendary career.
Keller studied for her BA at the Ravensbourne College of Art, before doing a Masters at London's Royal College of Art.
Her CV is a who's-who of the world's biggest luxury designers.
Her first graduate job was as a designer for CK Calvin Klein, before being promoted to working on the main collection.
She stayed there for four years before designing menswear for Ralph Lauren.
Tom Ford then employed her as a senior designer at Gucci in 2000.
She was then Creative Director at Pringle of Scotland and was praised for modernising the brand.
Keller was named Creative Director at French label Chloé in 2011, where she stayed for six years before moving onto Givenchy.
She is married to architect Philip Keller, and they have three children - twins Charlotte and Amelia, 15 and son Harrison, six.
The touching revelation came as reports revealed guests celebrated the couple tying the knot by downing themed cocktails, eating up-market fast food, watching a spectacular fireworks display and dancing to a celebrity DJ.
Guests dined on posh burgers among other dishes, with candyfloss on offer for those with a sweet tooth - and there was reportedly a cocktail on offer named When Harry Met Meghan, a reference to the romantic comedy When Harry Met Sally starring Meg Ryan and Billy Crystal.
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's guests didn't want the Royal Wedding to end
James Corden is reported to have acted as a surprise compere on the night, with Elton John taking to the piano to play some of his biggest hits for the newlyweds.
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