Meghan Markle wore a white Givenchy gown and Queen Mary’s tiara at her 2018 royal wedding, drawing controversy over the tradition for divorced brides but Prince Harry’s cousin has now defended her
Prince Harry’s cousin has stood up for Meghan Markle.(Image: AFP via Getty Images)
Prince Harry’s cousin is pushing back against criticism of Meghan Markle’s choice to wear a white wedding gown, after resurfaced claims that Queen Elizabeth II considered the dress too bright
Maddison May Brudenell, granddaughter of Lady Pamela Hicks, who once served as lady-in-waiting to the late monarch, publicly defended the Duchess of Sussex, calling the scrutiny outdated and unfair.
“In the monarch’s view, it was not appropriate for a divorcée getting remarried in church to look quite so flamboyantly virginal,” Brudenell told the Daily Mail. “My mother, our late Queen’s goddaughter, had said exactly the same to me, and that other family members would agree.”
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The comment follows reports that the Queen privately questioned Markle’s decision to wear a pure white gown by Givenchy’s Clare Waight Keller for her 2018 wedding to Prince Harry.
Meghan Markle wows in a classic white Givenchy gown and Queen Mary’s diamond tiara during her wedding(Image: Getty)
Brudenell, who wed Canadian welder Bret Kapetanov in October 2024 at the same 15th-century church where she was christened, said she had her own similar conversation with her mother about bridal expectations. “My mum was speaking out of love. I didn’t let my feelings overcome me – we talked about it,” she said. “However, as I told my mother, we may as well splash muddy water, drip some blood, sweat and tears on it for good measure.”
Her response was both humorous and pointed, pushing back against the idea that a woman’s dress color should reflect her marital history. “As it happens, my dress did have a lot of unique components, but these were because of what I chose and not in any way what I felt I must choose. My mother listened to my wisdom and respected my style.”
Brudenell wore two dresses on her wedding day. For the church ceremony, she donned a custom-made Laura Green gown with an illusion neckline and ankle-length A-line skirt, paired with white Christian Louboutin platform heels.
For the reception, she changed into a deep green off-the-shoulder velvet and pleated gown by Forever New, finished with pearl drop earrings and a necklace featuring an aquamarine stone from her bridal tiara.
Markle similarly wore two gowns. For the evening celebration, she switched into a Stella McCartney halter dress with an open back. The Duchess also had a piece of blue gingham fabric from her first date with Harry sewn into the hem of her main gown—a nod to the traditional bridal rhyme.
Markle’s 2018 wedding was her second. She was previously married to film producer Trevor Engelson.
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