Meghan Markle wedding dress: How did Meghan's Royal Wedding compare to Kate Middleton's?
RADIANT Meghan Markle stunned the world as she stepped out in a simple yet elegant bridal gown for the Royal Wedding of the year on Saturday. But how did Meghan's Royal Wedding day compare to Kate Middleton's in 2011?
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge married in 2011, with 25.4million viewers tuning in to watch Kate Middleton and William tie the knot at Westminster Abbey.
Meghan Markle and Harry wed at the smaller St George’s Chapel in Windsor on Saturday, holding just 600 guests as opposed to the 2,000 held at the Abbey.
An emotional Harry, son of the Prince of Wales and the late Princess Diana, told Meghan as they met at the altar: "You look amazing. I missed you."
And as the newlyweds paused on the steps after officially being declared husband and wife, a smiling Meghan looked up at her new husband and asked: "Do we kiss?" Harry replied with a discreet: "Yeah."
But how did their big Royal Wedding day compare to Harry's brother’s some seven years ago?
Kate Middleton
For her big day in 2011, Kate wore a now-iconic Sarah Burton for Alexander McQueen lace dress with sleeves, a small tiara and long veil.
The ivory satin bodice was padded at the hips and narrowed at the waist, and was inspired by the Victorian tradition of corsetry that is a particular Alexander McQueen hallmark
Kat’es gown featured a nine-foot-long train and handmade lace made by the Royal School of Needlework.
Kate’s veil was also embroidered by the Royal School of Needlework with flowers at the edges.
The dress cost an estimated £250,000 to make.
For her “something borrowed,” Kate Middleton wore the Cartier halo tiara on loan from the Queen.
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Meghan Markle
Much to the surprise of everyone, Meghan chose British designer Clare Waight Keller of Givenchy to design her sleek and modern wedding gown.
Birmingham-born Clare, who made history as the first female artistic director at French fashion house Givenchy, was revealed as the designer of the eagerly awaited dress on Saturday morning.
While both dresses featured long sleeves, Meghan's gown was unadorned by beading or lace - instead plumping for a simple dress in classic white with a bateau neckline.
She wore a 16.5-foot-long veil, also designed by Clare Waight Keller for Givenchy, on which was embroidered the flora of all 53 countries of the Commonwealth
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Meghan Markle also wore a borrowed tiara from the Queen. She picked out Queen Mary's bandeau tiara, which the Queen inherited from her grandmother Queen Mary.
The bespoke creation is estimated to have cost £200,000, including £78,000 for custom-made fabric and £4,000 for fittings.
The designer, 47, said Harry spoke to her after the ceremony at St George's Chapel, saying: ”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.”
Kate Middleton arrives at the Abbey in Alexander McQueen gown
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Royal Wedding moments compared
Meghan was always going to find it challenging to improve on the Royal Wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton, which was heralded as a state affair - with workers across the UK even given a bank holiday to celebrate the occasion.
And although the wedding was clearly a personal affair for Harry and Meghan, it also followed the same successful blueprint we saw executed in 2011.
The brides both wore ivory dresses, while Harry and William both opted fro military uniform on their big day.
The royal couples sealed their nuptials with a kiss - Prince William and Kate on the balcony of Buckingham Palace, and Harry and Meghan on the steps of St George’s Chapel.
Even the embraces had a smilier feel to them.
Meghan and Kate both opted for smaller, simpler bouquet’s than that carried by Princess Diana - but both followed royal tradition with the sprig of myrtle.
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And both changed into second dresses for their evening reception.
Meghan opted for a glamorous, sleek, lily-white halter neck silk crepe gown by Stella McCartney for a private black-tie evening do at Frogmore House.
The quick change was reminiscent of Kate Middleton‘s swap into a white satin strapless evening gown after her 2011 wedding.
Her glam gown featured a circle skirt and diamante detailing around the waist. She accessorized the look with a simple white shrug.
While Wills and Kate see off in an Aston Martin for their evening do, Harry and Meghan sped off in a converted electric Jag.