In his explosive new memoir, Spare, Prince Harry reveals new details about Meghan Markle’s infamous fight with Kate Middleton over the bridesmaid dresses for the Sussexes’ wedding in 2018.
The Duke of Sussex, 38, wrote that the Princess of Wales texted his wife the week of their wedding about a “problem” with daughter Princess Charlotte’s dress for the occasion.
The “French haute couture dresses” were “sewn solely on the basis of hand [the bridesmaids’] Measurements,” so it made sense they’d need some tweaking, Harry wrote about the tiny designs, which were custom-made by Givenchy’s then-creative director Clare Waight Keller, who also designed Markle’s wedding dress.
The Duchess of Sussex, 41, replied to Middleton, telling her to take Charlotte, now 7, to the palace where a tailor was waiting to make alterations for all six bridesmaids; According to Harry, this was “not enough” for the princess, who set up a meeting for the two.
Prince Harry’s new memoir delves into the drama surrounding the bridesmaid dresses for the Sussexes’ 2018 wedding. AFP via Getty Images
Charlotte’s dress was “too big, long and baggy,” Middleton reportedly told Markle, adding that the boy “burst into tears when she tried it on.”
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle got married on May 19, 2018. Getty Images
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle wed on May 19, 2018. AFP via Getty Images
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Prince Harry and Meghan Markle got married on May 19, 2018. WireImage
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When Markle reiterated that Middleton should take Charlotte to the tailor for alterations, Harry wrote, the princess told her that all of the bridesmaids’ dresses would need to be completely remade – four days before the wedding.
According to the Duke, Middleton also said her own wedding dress designer, Sarah Burton of Alexander McQueen, agreed with her assessment.
Givenchy Artistic Director at the time, Clare Waight Keller, designed the bridesmaid dresses along with Markle’s wedding dress. Getty Images
Givenchy Artistic Director at the time, Clare Waight Keller, designed the bridesmaid dresses along with Markle’s wedding dress. Getty Images
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Givenchy Artistic Director at the time, Clare Waight Keller, designed the bridesmaid dresses along with Markle’s wedding dress. Getty Images
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While the Princess of Wales eventually agreed to visit the tailor with Charlotte, Harry wrote, he later found Markle “on the floor” in tears after the altercation. The next day, he continued, he apologized to Middleton and brought flowers and a card.
In Harry’s new memoirs
Harry’s recap of the ordeal expands on what Markle shared during the Sussexes’ bombshell interview with Oprah Winfrey in 2021; While it was widely reported that Markle made Middleton cry in the run-up to their wedding, she revealed at the time “the opposite happened.”
Bridesmaids included several of the Sussexes’ goddaughters, Ivy Mulroney, daughter of Markle’s then-girlfriend Jessica Mulroney, and Princess Charlotte. Getty Images
Bridesmaids included several of the Sussexes’ goddaughters, Ivy Mulroney, daughter of Markle’s then-girlfriend Jessica Mulroney, and Princess Charlotte. Getty Images
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“I don’t think it’s fair on her to go into detail because she apologized and I have forgiven her,” the Duchess of Sussex told Winfrey.
Apparently her husband is not afraid to risk everything.