Diana’s wedding dress designer says he’d like Meghan to wear more clothes from British designers

The designer behind Princess Diana’s iconic wedding dress has hit out at her daughter-in-law Mehgan for not championing more British designers in her royal wardrobe. 

In an exclusive interview with Yahoo UK’s The Royal Box, fashion Designer David Emanuel, 62, urged Meghan use her profile to support British brands both through her own choices and how she dresses her son, Archie. 

‘I really do feel very strongly that now she is married into the Royal Family “The Firm” as we know it, I think she should be supporting British designers quite frankly,’ he said. 

‘I followed the Royal tour – she was in Australia, Fiji and Tonga and I think there was only something like three British designers represented,’ he added, although the true number was in fact 20 British designers out of 74 labels.

He also noted that Meghan’s love for designer labels, including Givenchy, saying: ‘As we know, French couture is not inexpensive. 

Meghan loves to wear couture, but the designer behind Lady Diana’s wedding dress said he wished she’d wear more British brands (pictured: Wearing a coat by Sentaler and dress by Aritzia – both Canadian designers and a bag by American Gabriella Hearst in Birkenhead in January) 

David Emmanuel (pictured), 62, said Meghan's wardrobe should be more British, as she is a member of the royal family

David Emmanuel (pictured), 62, said Meghan’s wardrobe should be more British, as she is a member of the royal family 

Meghan, wearing a coat by Italian brand Emporio Armani and pregnancy dress by Swedish budget brand H&M

Meghan, wearing a coat by Italian brand Emporio Armani and pregnancy dress by Swedish budget brand H&M

Following the birth of baby Archie, Emanuel said he could see Baby Sussex sporting English fashion, such as ‘ little shirts, Peter Pan collars, Mother of Pearl buttons and little shorts as he gets older.’  

‘But American is Meghan. Meghan is American. So who knows, he might be in baby Ralph Lauren? Who knows,’ he said.

Emanuel added that dressing a baby in all Ralph Lauren would be ‘expensive’ and ‘unnecessary,’ adding: ‘But you know she’s the Mother. If she wants to put him in baby Ralph Lauren, it will be in baby Ralph Lauren.’

Emmanuel complained that, while Givenchy, the dress worn by Meghan on her wedding day to Prince Harry has been made in France (pictured)

Emmanuel complained that, while Givenchy, the dress worn by Meghan on her wedding day to Prince Harry has been made in France (pictured)

Meghan and Harry with their son Archie, born on 6 May. Will Archie be Baby Classic English or will his America mother dress him in Ralph Lauren?

Meghan and Harry with their son Archie, born on 6 May. Will Archie be Baby Classic English or will his America mother dress him in Ralph Lauren? 

‘But please, Meghan, if anything, buy British!’ he exclaimed.  

Emanuel, who famously designed the dress worn by the late Lady Diana on the day of her wedding to Prince Charles in 1981, said he was sad to see royals turn to non-British designers for their bridal gowns. 

‘The last couple of weddings is that they’ve gone off-piste a bit. The Duchess of Sussex for instance, she went to Givenchy,’ he said. ‘Yes it was a British designer, but the gown was made in France.’

Meghan and Prince Harry exiting Westminster Abbey on Commonwealth Day in March. Meghan is wearing a matching coat and dress from Victoria Beckham

Meghan and Prince Harry exiting Westminster Abbey on Commonwealth Day in March. Meghan is wearing a matching coat and dress from Victoria Beckham 

‘It’s not for me to say, but I think it must have cost a small fortune.’

Talking about the late Diana, and how she would seeing Harry experience fatherhood for the first time, he said: 

‘She loved children. I should imagine she would be gloriously happy to see Harry with a baby. It could have been and should have been fabulous. But unfortunately it didn’t turn out like that.’ 

While Diana turned to Emanuel for her gown, her daughter-in-law Kate Middleton made the unexpected decision to turn to Alexander McQueen for her gown. 

Emanuel designed the dress worn by Lady Diana in 1981, with its 7.62 meter-long train, on the day of her wedding to Prince Charles

Emanuel designed the dress worn by Lady Diana in 1981, with its 7.62 meter-long train, on the day of her wedding to Prince Charles 

Meghan’s love for designers is well-known, and she will gladly wear one brand head to toe. She’s often seen wearing haute couture brands such as French Dior and American Ralph Lauren.  

However, her love of fashion also spreads to British designers’ pieces as much as foreign’s. 

For instance, on Commonwealth Day, Meghan sported a matching coat and dress from British designer – and her close friend – Victoria Beckham. 

During her pregnancy, some of Meghan’s outfit carefully incorporated at least one item by a British designer. 

 

Read more at DailyMail.co.uk