Meghan Markle's Second Wedding Dress Had a Personal Meaning for Her

It was designed to reflect her "joy."

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Meghan Markle's bridal looks will forever be part of history. If you need a quick refresh: She first walked down the aisle in a Givenchy wedding gown, then followed up with a Stella McCartney halter-neck dress for the reception. While Meghan herself hasn't publicly commented on either of her outfits, McCartney, who designed the second dress, recently spoke to BBC about the creation process.

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In the interview, the designer revealed she and Meghan "worked" together on designing the gown. "You know, it was very much her dress and I felt very proud that she came to me for that part of the wedding and that she got to reflect her in it," McCartney said. The sleeveless number was clean, modern, and sophisticated—qualities that Meghan always channels with her clothes.

The designer also went on to say the dress served as a place for Meghan to reflect on her journey to becoming a royal (she's now known as the Duchess of Sussex). "I think it was the last moment she could reflect sort of the other side to her and you know, the joy and the human within in," she said.

On May 19, Meghan walked out in the stunning ensemble and sweetly marked the special moment with a tribute to Princess Diana by wearing her aquamarine ring.

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Fashion Editor

Marina Liao is the former fashion news editor at Marie Claire, where she covered celebrity style (from Meghan Markle to Katie Holmes), fashion trends, and shopping advice, plus conducted original interviews with industry insiders. She's now the Senior Commerce Editor at House Beautiful, where she owns coverage on deals and sales across home decor and accessories, in-depth product reviews on furniture and appliances, as well as news around new product launches since 2023. With help from leading designers and tastemakers, Marina spotlights quality products while tracking current design trends, a skill she’s mastered over six years in fashion media. Marina holds a bachelor’s degree in journalism from Stony Brook University, beginning her career in narrative-driven commerce coverage as an editorial assistant at PopSugar.