The eyes of the world were on the Duke and Duchess of Sussex when they tied the knot in 2018, with Meghan Markle’s bridal look captivating viewers worldwide. However, several elements of her look caused a disagreement among members of the royal family behind closed doors.
According to William & Catherine: The Intimate Inside Story, the new book by royal editor Russell Myers, which is set for release on 24 February, Meghan’s insistence on wearing a veil was a bone of contention in the lead-up to her big day. Myers wrote: “The Queen was upset that Harry had asked the Archbishop of Canterbury to perform the ceremony at St George’s Chapel, Windsor Castle, instead of the Dean of Windsor, as tradition would dictate.
“[Royal author Sally] Bedell Smith described how Meghan ‘refused’ to tell the Queen about her wedding dress and had insisted on wearing a veil, which the Queen privately disagreed with, due to her being a divorcee.” Other royal divorcees like Queen Camilla and Princess Anne, both opted against wearing traditional veils or classic white bridal gowns, favouring tailored outfits and hats instead.
Prince Harry looks at his bride Meghan Markle as she walks down the aisle on their wedding day
Meghan chose a custom-made silk tulle veil that paid homage to the Commonwealth and all 53 of its countries through tiny embroidered flowers. It was designed by her bridal gown maker, Clare Waight Keller of Givenchy.
Meghan’s veil up close© Getty
Meghan’s veil was intricately embroidered
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In a statement at the time, Kensington Palace announced: “Ms. Markle expressed the wish of having all 53 countries of the Commonwealth with her on her journey through the ceremony. Ms. Waight Keller designed a veil representing the distinctive flora of each Commonwealth country united in one spectacular floral composition.”
The veil was also designed to match Princess Diana’s bridal tiara, which Meghan was due to wear before the late Queen offered her one from the royal vault.
Meghan’s previous marriage
Myers’ reference to Meghan being a divorcee pertains to her previous marriage to American film producer, Trevor Engelson. The pair were married from 2011 to 2014, having met in 2004 and got engaged in 2010.
They tied the knot in 2011 in Jamaica, but split two years later before filing for divorce, citing irreconcilable differences. Later, Meghan’s Random Encounters co-star and friend, Abby Wathen, said the two of them bonded over going through divorces at similar times. “I was destroyed [after my divorce], but [Meghan] was empowered. She took her power back. It wasn’t the right relationship for her, so she moved on,” she said.
In terms of her being a divorcee, the late Queen was also said to have disagreed with Meghan’s decision to wear a white wedding dress. Ingrid Seward reiterated this while discussing her book, My Mother and I, during a TV interview. She claimed the former monarch was “cross” over the gown, stating “you could see it in her face”.
Harry and Meghan meet
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex met in July 2016, having been set up on a blind date by a mutual friend in London. They enjoyed a date at Soho House, with Harry having since revealed that they had an instant connection – even if the prince didn’t turn up on time. “You were late,” Meghan told Harry while recalling their first meeting in their Netflix show, Harry & Meghan. She added: “And I didn’t know him. So I was like, ‘Oh, is this what he does?'”
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle during their first date together in London in 2016.© Netflix
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle during their first date together in London in 2016
The pair went on to date in private before taking their blossoming bond overseas. They jetted off to Botswana before making their relationship public and later getting engaged in 2017.
Prince Harry in a blue suit and Meghan Markle in a white overcoat© Getty Images
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle attended an official photocall to announce their engagement in 2017
