It’s almost 6 months to the day when Meghan Markle married Prince Harry in what can only be described as the Wedding of the Year, and a lot has happened since then. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have toured the South Pacific, hosted numerous receptions and Royal events, they attended the Invictus Games, and well, they even made a baby, but some of us are not ready to move on from the wedding just yet…

A Love Story

We all love a great love story, and when it was revealed that England’s Prince Harry was dating American actress Meghan Markle back in October 2016, the news took the world by storm. Having met in July earlier that year, on what they later revealed was a blind date, Harry and Meghan hit it off immediately, and after a trip to Botswana to get to know each other away from the prying eyes of the worlds media, their relationship blossomed.

In November 2016, when Kensington Palace issued a press release asking the world’s media to respect the privacy of Harry’s ‘girlfriend’ Meghan Markle, speculation surrounding their relationship was replaced with a confirmation.  A year later, in November 2017, Harry and Meghan announced that they were engaged and set to marry in spring 2018, and Royal Wedding fever took over the world.

On May 19^tt 2018, we finally got to see the world’s most eligible bachelor marry the love of his life in one of the most modern, yet beautiful wedding ceremonies ever witnessed by the Royal Family. Meghan Markle sparkled on her wedding day, and here’s how…

The Duke & Duchess of Sussex. CREDIT: ALEXI LUBOMIRSKI

Royal Wedding: The Dress

Meghan Markle’s wedding dress, a stunning yet surprisingly simple creation by Givenchy, received mixed reviews. While the haute couture gown by Clare Waight Keller was hailed as a success by many, others found it uninspiring, particularly when compared to Kate Middleton’s wedding dress, which has a more ‘regal’ feel.

However, no-one can deny that when combined with the striking 16ft veil adorned with flowers of the 53 Commonwealth countries, the Queen Mary Bandeau Tiara, and the understated bridal hair and makeup, Meghan’s wedding gown was breathtaking.

The epitome of elegance and exactly the look that the modern bride was going for, Meghan’s wedding dress showcased her slim figure with a bateau neckline, tailored bodice, and three-quarter sleeves. The sleek train, shaped with organza underskirts, held a romantic secret. Inside, a small piece of blue ribbon, made from the dress Meghan wore on her first date with Harry, had been sewn into the seam as her “something blue”.  The secret was only revealed when her now-iconic wedding gown was put on display at Windsor Castle, where it will be until 6^th January.

Royal Wedding: The Jewellery

Markle first started to sparkle when she showed us her Trilogy Diamond Engagement Ring designed by her prince. Made by court jewellers Cleave and Company, the ring features a yellow gold band embellished with three diamonds. Harry sourced the large central diamond from Botswana, a country that the couple visited twice during their courtship, and two smaller diamonds from his late mother Princess Diana’s private collection.

Understated and elegant, much like the bride herself, the engagement ring is now replicated worldwide by brides who want a little bit of Markle’s sparkle for themselves, and it is set to go down in history as one of the most beautiful Royal engagement rings of all time.

On the big day, Meghan dazzled in Queen Mary’s Diamond Bandeau Tiara, an impeccable piece of jewelry made in England in 1932. A magnificent display, it features an eleven platinum sections linked together with interlaced ovals and pavé set diamonds. The centrepiece comes in the form of an antique diamond brooch, which dates back to 1893.

The perfect choice for Meghan’s Givenchy bridal gown, the filigree tiara lent sophisticated sparkle to her minimalist look and coordinated beautifully with the Cartier Diamonds Earrings and Bracelet, believed to have been a wedding day gift from Prince Harry, that she wore on the day.

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle in their engagement photographs CREDIT: ALEXI LUBOMIRSKI

Royal Wedding: The Rings

Traditionally, Royal men do not wear wedding rings, but Harry decided to break with tradition by choosing a platinum wedding band for his special day. Modern and stylish, Harry’s wedding ring features a slender band with a brushed finish. It’s the type of ring that will complement any outfit, which is essential for England’s beloved prince.

Meghan, however, did stick with tradition by choosing a simple yellow gold wedding band to match her diamond engagement ring. Made in Welsh gold, the rare precious metal favoured by the Royal Family, it is sleek, stylish, and sits comfortably underneath her diamond trilogy ring.

Since the Royal Wedding, the demand for brushed platinum wedding bands for men has soared, as has the demand for yellow gold wedding rings for women, and so if you want to be on trend with 2018’s hottest couple, think simple, think stylish, and think sparkle…