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Meghan Markle and Prince Harry announced their engagement this week, posing at a formal photo call at Kensington Palace’s Sunken Garden and partaking in a gush-worthy, downright adorable interview in which they shared their proposal story and some intel on the ring with the BBC’s Mishal Husain. Now, royal wedding fans everywhere are on to the next, speculating what and who the maybe future Duchess of Sussex will wear down the aisle.
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Markle stands apart from most British royals in more ways than one. To start, she’s not British, and she had a career in the spotlight prior to her recent engagement to Harry. She’s also worn a wedding dress before, for her first marriage to producer Trevor Engelson, and for a fictional walk down the aisle. Markle’s character on the hit series Suits, Rachel Zane, donned an embroidered, plunging v-necked A-line gown by Anne Barge in the finale of Season 5.
The episode sparked interviews with Markle about her dream wedding gowns, Peoplereports, and Markle was quick to offer insight befitting of an in-the-know tastemaker thanks to her days as a lifestyle blogger for her website, The Tig. When Glamourasked about her favorite bridal brands, Markle opted for indie labels rather than the obvious, noting Paris-based designer Delphine Manivet and newcomer Christos Costarellos as favorites for “their uniqueness and beauty.” She also added that she’d “always be a fan of couturier Elie Saab. J.Mendel is spectacular as well.”
Aside from her obvious love for Prince Harry, one additional thing is clear: Meghan Markle knows a thing or two about wedding dresses. She even went as far to mention in an interview during press for Suits that her character’s wedding gown isn’t far from what she’d want for herself, a look which she describes as “classic and fairytale.” She added, “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,” Peoplereports.
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Markle also noted the celebrity she’d dream of emulating for the aisle if ever she had the chance: “Carolyn Bessette Kennedy. Everything goals.” The socialite wed John F. Kennedy Jr. in a bias cut slip gown by Narciso Rodriguez in 1996, and has been noted in fashion history as breaking ground for minimalist brides.
A stark contrast from the mock-necked, full-skirted, long-sleeved gowns we’ve become accustomed to seeing walk down the aisle at royal weddings (we see you Catherine and Pippa), Markle does have one thing already in common with Bessette Kennedy’s stylish legacy: she’s scored one of the world’s most eligible and lovable bachelors and been dubbed one to watch on the style front.
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Given that Markle isn’t British, her allegiance to an English designer isn’t certain, and it will be interesting to see whether the bride-to-be chooses to work with a British label, head back to Canada or the U.S., or travel to France or Italy to work on her wedding gown. One thing is certain: Prince Harry won’t see her gown beforehand. Markle said when it comes to the groom previewing the bride’s dress, “I prefer sticking with traditions.”
From: Harper’s BAZAAR US
