Prince Harry and Meghan Markle announced their engagement just hours ago but already thoughts have turned to plans for the royal wedding.
The couple will tie the knot in a ceremony next spring, it was revealed today, and all eyes will be on Miss Markle’s dress when the big day comes.
Fashion houses from around the world will likely be vying for the coveted role of designing her wedding gown, but who she will select remains to be seen.
But there are a few names that are likely to be in the running: some of her favourite designers like Erdem and Antonio Berardi, for example, and Sarah Burton, now creative director of Alexander McQueen, who was behind the Duchess of Cambridge’s own breathtaking dress.
Here, FEMAIL reveals just some of the world-class desingers who could create the dress…
Antonio Berardi
Sleek: Meghan stunned in a dress from Antonio Berardi at the polo earlier this year and could opt for one of the designer’s modern looks, like the one pictured, for her wedding gown
Meghan stole the show at the Audi Polo Challenge earlier this year in an elegant £2,197 Antonio Berardi sleeveless dress from the British brand’s 2017 resort collection.
Known for his figure-hugging designs, Berardi is usually more Hollywood than British society. But so is Meghan, and the navy design with ruffled, asymmetrical skirt worked a treat.
She could then choose one of the designer’s wedding dresses, which would be a less traditional look for a royal wedding but no less elegant.
Erdem
Whimsical: Erdem is one of Kate Middleton’s favourites and Meghan has also recently delighted fans in his creations. A dress by the designer would be a bold and feminine choice
Erdem Moralioglu chose the UK as home for his first and only solo label in 2005, he quickly became one of our best-loved designers.
He’s certainly one of Kate Middleton’s favourites but it’s Meghan who has most recently delighted fans in his eye-catching floral creations.
She wore a striking full-length gown to accompany Harry to his friend’s wedding in Jamaica earlier this year. The blue, green and yellow silk design, with ruffled sleeves and a high-neck, has a price tag of around £3,000. She completed the look with her signature oversized sunglasses.
Erdem’s feminine flares and fondness of lace could be the perfect fit for a wedding dress.
Anne Barge
Life imitating art? Meghan wore a Anne Barge creation when her character nearly tied the knot on TV show suits. The American designer’s gowns offer classic silhouettes and feminine details
It could be a case of life imitating art if Miss Markle was to choose Anne Barge to design her dress as she has previously worn one of her creations when her character came close to tying the knot on Suits.
The actress looked breathtaking in the design on an episode of the show and there is no doubt the American designer would pull out all the stops if she was asked to design the royal wedding dress.
Sarah Burton
Royal favourite: Meghan could plump for a design by Sarah Burton, creative director of Alexander McQueen, who won plaudits for the gown she made for the Duchess of Cambridge
Sarah Burton, the creative director of Alexander McQueen, won plaudits when she designed the Duchess of Cambridge’s gown for the 2011 royal wedding.
So perhaps Meghan will choose to follow her new sister-in-law’s lead and enlist the help of Burton for her own creation.
Burton has spoken of how much she loved creating the dress and has developed a friendship with the Duchess in the years since designing it.
It could be that she will soon add another duchess to her list of clients.
Jenny Packham
Modern twist: Jenny Packham is known for her embellished creations and would be a very affordable option for the bride-to-be. The glittering designs would certainly make a statement
Another favourite of the Duchess of Cambridge, Jenny Packham is known for her breathtaking embellished creations.
It would again be a morel low-key option for the bride but would be perfectly in keeping with Meghan’s laid-back Californian style
Burberry
Meghan’s wardrobe boasts several pieces from iconic brand Burberry, and designing a dress for the royal wedding could be the perfect last hurrah from creative director Christopher Bailey before he leaves the brand next year.
A dress by Burberry would also be an endorsement of perhaps the most quintessential of all the British designers.
However the brand is not known for its wedding gowns and so she might be better off plumping for a more established bridal designer.