How the Queen inspired Meghan Markle's wedding gown

When Meghan Markle married Prince Harry in May, the whole world was captivated by her stunning Givenchy wedding gown.

However, nearly five months on there’s a hidden detail we all missed about her gown, and it was inspired by Queen Elizabeth II.

In the new documentary, Queen of the World, looking at the work of Her Majesty, the Duchess of Sussex reveals her wedding gown featured flowers from all 53 Commonwealth countries.

This nod to the Commonwealth in Meghan’s dress was a key feature in the Queen’s coronation gown.

The designer of the the dress, Norman Hartnell, originally wanted to feature floral patterns of the Queen’s home nations, England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, but the monarch had another suggestion in mind – to feature all the Commonwealth countries with their national flowers.

However, back in 1953 there weren’t as many nations in the Commonwealth. The Queen’s coronation gown contained floral elements from England, Scotland, Northern Ireland, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, India, Pakistan and Ceylon (now Sri Lanka).

This aspect was included in the 37-year-old’s five metre wedding veil, but she also “snuck in” her own special flower – a California poppy.

It’s clear the Queen and Meghan get on like a house on fire.

One month after the Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s wedding, Meghan kicked off her royal duties by being the Queen’s plus-one for an official visit to Cheshire, England.

It marked her first joint appearance with Her Majesty, a courtesy that was also extended to Kate Middleton about a year after her 2011 wedding to Prince William.

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