Meghan Markle, 37, made headlines all around the world when she married Prince Harry in May.
In the run-up to the wedding, there was much speculation as to what Meghan would wear, with keen fans eager to know what the highly-anticipated dress would look like.
When the Duchess did finally emerge, on the 19th May, the world was stunned by the elegant Claire Waight Keller for Givenchy gown.
Seen only in photographs or at a distance, the dress is now going to be seen up close and personal by the public, going on display at an upcoming exhibition.
Meghan’s ivory silk wedding dress and tiara are set to form part of the exhibition, A Royal Wedding: The Duke and Duchess of Sussex.
The exhibition is taking place at Windsor Castle, the location of the Royal Wedding, from 26 October.
The stunning dress is made of silk and features three-quarter-length sleeves, a bateau neckline and a train with built-in triple silk organza underskirt.
Effortlessly plain and simple, the dress was finished off with an impressive five-metre long veil.
The veil featured hand-embroidered flowers on its hem and “symbolic crops of wheat”.
The flowers all had a special meaning, with Meghan choosing her two favourite flowers, wintersweet (which grows outside Nottingham Cottage) and the California Poppy, along with flowers representing the Commonwealth.
At the exhibition, the public will be able to gaze upon all of Meghan’s bridal attire, including the famous Queen Mary Lozenge Bandeau Tiara.
The Queen Mary tiara is an art deco-style diamond and platinum tiara, first belonging to Princess Mary, and having been worn by Princess Margaret.
The stunning piece of jewellery was lent to Meghan by the Queen, and is studded with diamonds and features a detachable brooch in the centre.
A copy of Harry’s Savile Row-tailored uniform will feature at the exhibition, which will begin at wedding site Windsor Castle before making its way up to Holyrood Palace.
The specially commissioned frockcoat uniform of the Blues and Royals was made by Dege & Skinner and paired with a pair of trousers made of blue and black wool barathea.
The exhibition, A Royal Wedding: The Duke And Duchess Of Sussex will be at Windsor Castle from October 26 to January 6, and at Holyrood Palace from June 14 to October 6 next year.
The Duchess of Sussex’s Givenchy dress is reported to have cost the Duchess around £387,000, with her reception dress estimated to be worth £199,555.
Following the ceremony and wedding breakfast, Meghan changed into a more accessible Stella McCartney gown.
White in colour and featuring a halter neck and sultry open back, the dress was worn by the Duchess to her wedding reception at Frogmore House.
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.
Meghan accessorised the timeless gown with Cartier diamond earrings and a stunning aquamarine cocktail ring, belonging to the late Princess Diana.
Who is Meghan Markle? Quick profile
Meghan Markle was born Rachel Meghan Markle, on August 4, 1981 to parents Doria Ragland and father Thomas Markle.
Her father was previously married to Roslyn Loveless and Meghan has two elder half sibling – sister Samantha Markle and brother Thomas Markle Junior.
Actress
Meghan’s first television appearance in the USA was in an episode of the medical drama General Hospital in 2002.
She later moved on to roles in CSI, Without a Trace and Castle along with bit parts in Hollywood films including Get Him to the Greek, Remember Me and Horrible Bosses.
Meghan was also a “briefcase girl” on Deal or No Deal – but her most famous role was as Rachel Zane in legal drama Suits, which launched in 2011.
She was written out in the finale of the seventh series when her character got married, which aired in April 2018 – just before she got married herself.
Charity and humanitarian work
Meghan Markle’s career in television has gone hand-in-hand with her support for causes close to her heart.
She wrote about the stigma around menstrual health in an article for Time magazine and was a Global Ambassador for World Vision Canada – with whom she travelled to Rwanda for the charity’s Clean Water Campaign.
And her commitment to gender equality has seen her work with the United Nations – receiving a standing ovation in 2015 for her speech to mark International Women’s Day.
Relationships
In September 2011, she wed film producer Trevor Engelson, who she began dating in 2004.
But the pair divorced two years later in August 2013, citing irreconcilable difference.
She was in a relationship with celebrity chef Cory Vitiello for almost two years, before they broke it off in 2016 but the two remain good friends.
And in June 2016, she met Prince Harry on a blind date set up by a mutual friend.
Their relationship began in October that year and just over one year later, on November 27, 2017, the pair announced their engagement.
They married on May 19, 2018 at St George’s Chapel in Windsor Castle.
Meghan’s heritage
Some have claimed Meghan Markle is the first mixed-race member of the Royal Family.
Historians are still arguing about Queen Charlotte, the wife of King George III.
But Meghan will be the first royal to openly embrace a mixed-race heritage.
She has written about the difficulties of being a biracial actress in Hollywood as she claims she is not black enough for some roles and not white enough for others.
