Fashion

First glimpse of Meghan Markles wedding dress by Clare Waight Keller at Givenchy

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The most important part of a wedding (if youre not involved) is, of course, the brides dress.

The fashion world (and arguably, the world as a whole) has been waiting with baited breath to find out what Meghan Markle is walking down the aisle in – and now we finally know.

Meghan is wearing a floor-length fitted gown by Clare Waight Keller at Givenchy.

Meghans chosen a clean classic high bateau neckline, which is beautifully demure, fashion expert Harriet Hunt tells Metro.co.uk.

Shes wearing Queen Marys filigree tiara – last worn in the 1800s. Its believed that the Queen has lent it to Meghan for the occasion.

First glimpse of Meghan Markle's wedding dress by Clare Waight Keller at Givenchy

Theres been much speculation over which designer the newly appointed Duchess of Sussex would choose for her dress, with the general consensus agreeing on Ralph and Russo (the British designer of choice for Oscar winners).

And theres been a lot of discussion around whether Meghan would wear white.

White wedding dresses have been a tradition in Britain ever since Queen Victoria wore white lace to her wedding to Prince Albert. And during the Victorian era, debutants were expected to wear long white court dresses when being presented at court.

White was thought to symbolise innocent and virginal purity.

As a divorcee, of course, this isnt Meghans first wedding so it seemed unlikely that shed opt for a snowy number.

But thats not to say that brides dont wear white for second marriages – these days, women can wear whatever they want to their weddings. Its just that, well, royal weddings tend to be beacons of tradition.

Ivory is a more-than-happy compromise.

And, no doubt, the Markle Sparkle will mean that even first-time brides will find some inspiration in Meghans choice today.

Prepare to see ivory brides at a wedding near you.

A closer look at the Duchess Of Cambridge's wedding dress

First glimpse of Meghan Markle's wedding dress by Clare Waight Keller at Givenchy — Catherine Middleton shows her Alexander McQueen dress in full for the first time outside Westminster Abbey (Picture: Samir Hussein/WireImage)

Alexander McQueen's creative director Sarah Burton was the brains behind Kate's elegant – and stunning – lace bridal gown for her wedding to Prince William.

For months speculation was rife on who would be the designer and Sarah had kept a stealthy silence on the matter.

So it was only natural that everyone was clamoring for the first glimpse of Kate in her dress – even it it was shielded in part by the screens at The Goring.

As Kate finally emerged outside Westminster Abbey – with the entire world seeing her dress on TV screens before her husband-to-be had – it was confirmed that Burton was in fact the designer.

She was even on hand to neaten the train – which was 9ft long – on the day and ensure every inch of the dress looked perfect as Kate made her way down the aisle.

It later emerged that Kate and Sarah had been having secret meetings at Hampton Court Palace to discuss the dress – the location chosen due to its proximity to The Royal School Of Needlework, who created the lace for the gown.

It was so hush-hush that staff there were told that the lace they were creating was actually for a period drama.