Meghan Markle evening gown vs Kate Middleton: How the royal reception dresses compared

Meghan Markle has become the Duchess of Sussex, after marrying everyone’s favourite price, Harry, at a lavish ceremony at Windsor Castle. 

After the ceremony sartorial stakes were far from over, with all eyes glued and ears pricked for Meghan’s evening reception gown.

Emerging from Windsor Castle with the dashing prince on her arm, Meghan donned a custom-made “lily white” Stella McCartney gown, as she made her way to Frogmore House for the second reception. 

Her quick change was reminiscent of Kate Middleton during the celebrations of her marriage to Prince William back in 2011, where the royal bride slipped into something a little more comfortable.

So how does Meghan’s reception dress compare to Kate’s?

The world couldn’t get enough of newlyweds Meghan Markle and a tuxedo-clad Prince Harry when they slipped into a pale blue Jag en-route to the private evening reception.

Meghan had changed from her Claire Waight Keller for Givenchy gown, instead wearing a simple Stella McCartney evening dress, featuring a high halter neck and more sultry open back.

The American star wore matching pumps also in lily white. A silky, satin material with nude mesh and blue soles, they were designed by luxury shoe brand Aquazurra.

The quick change was also made by Prince William’s wife Kate Middleton on her wedding day in London over seven years ago.

Between partying the night away Kate slipped into a white strapless satin number made by her wedding day designer-of-choice, Sarah Burton for Alexander McQueen.

With a sweetheart neckline and circle skirt with diamante detail around the waist, Kate, then 29, topped off the look with a fluffy white angora bolero.

On the night Kate let her hair down, releasing her brunette tresses from the elegant half-up-half-down do she wore on the day.

She wore her famous glossy locks in a wavy, blowed-out style, contrasting with the more formal satin number.

Unlike her royal bride counterpart, Meghan went the other way to the Duchess of Cambridge, keeping her hair up.

Styled by hairdressing star George Northwood, the new Duchess of Sussex wore her hair in a lose low bun with tossed waves framing her face, a more relaxed style to that of her ceremony up do.

Her coiffed style drew attention to the Cartier diamond earrings she accessorised with. Along with Cartier, the former-actress wore a stunning aquamarine cocktail ring, from the personal jewellery collection of Harry’s late mother, Diana, just one of the ways she was remembered on the day. 

Like Meghan and Harry, William and Kate also had two wedding receptions on the day, both at Buckingham Palace.

Both evening receptions were hosted by the groom’s father, Prince Charles, with a guest list of both the newlyweds closest friends. Invites for the evenings receptions are highly sought after, with only a select number of guests making the cut.

Meghan and Harry’s glittering evening reception was hosted at Frogmore House on the grounds of Windsor Castle. 

The happy couple danced the night away to music played by Harry’s favourite DJ, house artist DJ Sam Tootle, with a rumoured cameo by Idris Elba.

Also at the reception, dirty burgers, candyfloss and tongue-and-cheek ginger-based cocktails, in honour of the Prince’s flame-red hair, named “When Harry Met Meghan.”