Clare Waight Keller designs Markle’s sleek wedding dress

LONDON — Clare Waight Keller is the master British designer behind the silk boat-necked gown and long billowing veil worn by Meghan Markle as she walked down the flower-bedecked nave of St. George’s Chapel for her wedding to Prince Harry.

Waight Keller, the first female artistic director of French fashion house Givenchy, met Markle earlier this year, Kensington Palace said. The statement said Markle wanted a dress with an “elegant aesthetic, impeccable tailoring, and relaxed demeanor.”

Keller was a surprise choice — her name was not among the many designers slated to be possible contenders for what many call the dress commission of the year. Educated at the Ravensbourne College of Art in south London, Keller kicked off her career at Calvin Klein in New York designing women’s ready-to-wear before moving to Ralph Laruen to work on the men’s “Purple Label.”

After stints at Gucci, Pringle and Chloe, she was appointed as artistic director of Givenchy haute couture and women’s and men’s ready-to-wear last year.

The dress featured nothing by way of lace or embroidery, carrying a classic boat neckline, three-quarter length sleeves and an A-line skirt with a train measuring about 70 inches from the waist. Markle complemented it with a tiara, an embroidered cathedral length veil, a bracelet and a small diamond stud earrings.

“It’s brave to not have decorations and embellishments. What a strong fashion statement. It’s modern and classic at the same time,” Phillipa Lepley, a leading London bridal designer, told The Associated Press. “The overall look is very ’50s and gorgeous!”

The veil carried floral references to all 53 countries in the Commonwealth, the group of countries that roughly corresponds to the former British Empire and is headed by Markle’s new grandmother-in-law, Queen Elizabeth II. The palace workers spent hundreds of hours sewing the delicate flower designs into the veil, meticulously washing their hands every half hour to keep the silk tulle and threads clean.

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle leave St George’s Chapel after their wedding. | Jane Barlow – WPA Pool/Getty Images

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Prince Harry kisses his wife Meghan as they leave from the West Door of St George’s Chapel, Windsor Castle. | JANE BARLOW/AFP/Getty Images

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Meghan Markle and her mother Doria Ragland leave Cliveden House Hotel in Taplow, near London, England| AP Photo/Tim Ireland

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Page boys John and Brian Mulroney accompany Meghan Markle as she arrives for her wedding. | CHRIS RADBURN/AFP/Getty Images

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Meghan Markle arrives for the wedding ceremony to marry Britain’s Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex. | BEN STANSALL/AFP/Getty Images

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Meghan Markle arrives for her wedding to Prince Harry at St George’s Chapel, Windsor Castle. | Andrew Matthews – WPA Pool/Getty Images

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Meghan Markle and her bridal party arrive for the the wedding ceremony. | Ben Birchhall/pool photo via AP

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Prince Harry and Meghan Markle stand at the altar together before the Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby. | OWEN HUMPHREYS/AFP/Getty Images

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Britain’s Prince Harry and Meghan Markle stand, prior to the start of their wedding ceremony. | Dominic Lipinski/pool photo via AP

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Britain’s Prince Harry and Meghan Markle hold hands during their wedding ceremony. | Dominic Lipinski/pool photo via AP

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In this frame from video, Meghan Markle listens during her wedding ceremony with Britain’s Prince Harry at St. George’s Chapel. | UK Pool/Sky News via AP

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Meghan Markle arrives at Windsor Castle. | Richard Heathcote/Getty Images

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In this frame from video, Meghan Markle walks down the aisle with Prince Charles. | UK Pool/Sky News via AP

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Prince Charles, Prince of Wales leads Meghan Markle up the aisle during her wedding. | Jonathan Brady – WPA Pool/Getty Images

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Prince Harry and Prince William arrive. | Shaun Botterill/Getty Images

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Prince Harry places the wedding ring on the finger of Meghan Markle during their wedding ceremony. | JONATHAN BRADY/AFP/Getty Images

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Britain’s Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex and US actress Meghan Markle during their wedding ceremony. | OWEN HUMPHREYS/AFP/Getty Images

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Prince Harry stands with his bride, Meghan Markle, during their wedding in St George’s Chapel at Windsor Castle. | Jonathan Brady – WPA Pool/Getty Images

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In this frame from video, Britain’s Prince Harry and Meghan Markle kiss after their wedding ceremony. | UK Pool via AP

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Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex and his wife Meghan begin their carriage procession. | GARETH FULLER/AFP/Getty Images

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PHOTOS: Meghan Markle’s wedding dress

“The dress is simply beautiful in its classic simplicity,” said Caroline Burstein, owner of Browns Bride, a top London bridal boutique. She called it “a nod to Grace Kelly, Audrey Hepburn and every iconic wedding we have witnessed throughout the 20th and 21st century. It’s perfect for her and for the occasion they are celebrating.”

Ahead of the wedding, the top guesses from Britain’s bookmakers for Markle’s wedding dress designer included Erdem, founded by Canadian-born designer Erdem Moralioglu; Ralph & Russo, the couture designers that Markle chose for her engagement dress; Alexander McQueen, the label that created Kate’s wedding gown; Stella McCartney; Burberry and Oscar de la Renta.

It’s likely one of them will have designed Markle’s second dress for the evening reception.