Don’t let Prince Harry see this picture! At least, not if you believe it’s bad luck for the groom to catch sight of his bride’s wedding dress before the big day.
For this exclusive photograph appears to show Meghan Markle picking out the gown she’ll wear as she walks down the aisle of St George’s Chapel in Windsor Castle on May 19.
Taken at the boutique of upmarket designer Emma Victoria Payne, it is one of a series of candid shots snapped around London last week, capturing the brunette catching up with some last-minute Christmas shopping before stopping for a traditional British pint.
But all is not quite what it seems. For this is Meghan lookalike Genevieve Capovilla, an actress and model whose similarity to the Royal-to-be has previously been exploited in adverts for dating website eHarmony – as The Mail on Sunday reported in April.
She again stood in for Harry’s fiancee in these images and, for a special finishing touch, Ms Capovilla was pictured wearing the same elegant white coat that Meghan chose when she made her engagement public last month.
MATERIAL GIRL: Designer Emma Victoria Payne helps ‘Meghan’ choose her dress for the big day
DOUBLE TAKE: Our Meghan turns heads outside Kensington Palace, as if these tourists had never seen a gorgeous, mixedrace, American actress-turned-Royal fiancee before
WE’RE GETTING MARRIED HERE? She might have got the wrong Windsor Castle (pictured left)… but it is still better than the misunderstanding when she was invited to have a punch in the Queen’s Head. Looks like our Meghan lost her keys as she becomes a lady-in-waiting to- be-let-in outside the Palace (pictured right)
BOOK OF REVELATIONS: I never knew that! There can be no secrets in marriage – especially when your hubby’s past is available for £15.99 from all good bookshops
A GIFT FOR GRANNY? Perhaps the Queen would like The Crown for Christmas? And if Netflix is looking for actresses to play Royal Family members, Meghan’s gone full method to gain the experience
SAY IT WITH SPRAY PAINT: Meghan hasn’t turned to vandalism to declare her status – this is street art by a graffiti painter called Pegasus
TRUE LOVE: Harry and the real Meghan – ring clearly on display – in last week’s official engagement photo
Here’s how you could’ve saved £55,750 on that OTHER dress: LIZ JONES says Meghan should follow Kate’s lead by ditching her Mayfair couturier for high street brands
By Liz Jones for the Mail On Sunday
Meghan’s choice of a £56,000 gown from a Mayfair couturier for her engagement photos speaks volumes.
Ralph & Russo dressed Gwyneth Paltrow for the Oscars and their 200 staff spend 1,000 hours making gowns by hand.
Meghan comes from a world where dresses costing twice the average salary don’t raise an eyebrow, but she should follow the lead of her soon to-be sister-in-law Kate and mix designer labels with high street brands.
Here are some British alternatives that hover around £250 and don’t chafe against Meghan’s lofty ambitions to lift children out of poverty.
Harry with Meghan in her engagement photos gown, which cost a staggering £55,750
HOBBS £169: This red silk dress by heritage brand Hobbs has a teeny waist and is flattering if you have a bigger bust. Its cutaway design shows off Pilateshoned shoulders
JOHN LEWIS £260: This is a gorgeous gown in blush. It’s a little bridey, which could make Harry prematurely nervous, but it’s as pretty as an English cottage garden
MYTHERESA.COM £237: Alexa Chung is a great new brand and will win Meghan plenty of 20-something fans should she choose it. This dress has lots of flesh on show, and pretty puffed sleeves. It’s edgy, too
HOBBS £234: It’s nude and pretty with its embellished bodice. A great alternative to black, and less severe
WHISTLES £170: Printed velvet is a big trend for winter, and Whistles just goes from strength to strength. This dress is very romantic