Meghan Markle wedding dress designer reveals sketches of 'spectacular' dress

Meghan Markle, 36, was married wearing Givenchy yesterday – and bookies and the public were left surprised by the choices with Clare Waight Keller’s name not being suggested by pundits until the day of the wedding.

But now everyone knows who Keller is, and the Birmingham-born designer has shared sketches of the dress, as well as revealing Prince Harry, 33, was thrilled with his bride’s look on the day.

Describing the moment Harry spoke to her immediately after the wedding, the 47-year-old said: “He came straight up to me and he said ‘oh my God, thank you, she looks absolutely stunning’…She looked just incredible and it showed.”

Many were surprised by the bridal gown, which was simple in a classic white, but the elaborate veil was embroidered with flowers from each of the 53 Commonwealth nations.

Those working on it spent hundreds of hours meticulously sewing and washing their hands every thirty minutes to keep the tulle and threads pristine.

Keller appeared on the steps of St George’s Chapel when Meghan arrived to ensure her veil and train looked pristine, and helped to arrange it before the couple made their exit as husband and wife, but said she did not think about the fact the world would be watching.

She said: ”I didn’t really think about it. I was actually just thinking about the dress and the veil. I wanted just for her to feel and look amazing.

“It was just an important moment to get all of that right and I thought she just looked spectacular.”

Asked if she put much thought into her own outfit, she said: “Of course as a designer you always consider how you look.

“But I also wanted to make sure that I was somewhat invisible as well, that it was her moment, and that’s what was really key. But I wanted her to feel that I was there if she needed me.”

Meghan confirmed in early January that Keller was her chosen designer, and said: “It was an extraordinary moment when she told me. Of course it’s an incredible thing to be part of such a historic moment.”

Outlining the design process she added: “I think she had very much seen my work and knew what I did.

“I think she loved the fact that I was a British designer, and working in a house such as Givenchy which has its roots in a very classical, beautiful style.”

Ms Waight Keller said over time they quickly got to a point where Meghan felt she knew exactly what she wanted after various meetings and trials.

Spending so much time together, Keller got to know Meghan quite well, and said of the new Duchess of Sussex: “She’s exactly what you see on TV.

“She’s just so genuine and warm and radiant. She’s just glowing. She’s a strong woman. She knows what she wants, and it was really an absolute joy working with her.”

Describing the moment Meghan first saw herself on Saturday morning, she said: “She was just glowing. There’s so much emotion on a day like that anyway.

“But I think particularly when it all comes together, I think it is tremendous. She was absolutely radiant.”

“She was incredibly composed. It was really quite extraordinary. She’s just the most beautiful person.”

Meghan’s five metre-long veil, which was one of the most breathtaking elements of her outfit, was held in place by Queen Mary’s diamond tiara and featured flowers from all Commonwealth countries, as well as her native California.

Talking about how that became a feature of the look, the designer said: “Well there was a conversation early on about the story that we were going to tell through this wedding.

“And so part of what I wanted to do was talk to her about what those type of stories could be. And the fact that both her and Prince Harry will be actually working a lot within the Commonwealth was something I thought was really intriguing and something built on to be part of the day.

“So over a period of time, we had different conversations back and forth and I came up with the idea of maybe representing each of the countries – the 53 countries of the Commonwealth – through their flora and fauna.

“And we both love the story of that and it also meant that every single one of those countries also journeyed up the aisle with her, which I thought was a really poetic moment.”

Lucky Meghan will be given the sketches of the dress as a keepsake from Ms Waight Keller.