Give me fashion, but make it British: We were hoping to have a full second round of stylish moments to share with you as guests assembled at Britain’s Frogmore House to attend an evening wedding reception for the new duke and duchess of Sussex. But alas, there was only one—though it was the most important one. (Sidenote: Should photos of the guests become available, we’ll update.)
Several hours after their indisputably history-making (in many ways) wedding at St. George’s Chapel, Prince Harry and Meghan, duchess of Sussex, emerged from Windsor Castle ready to join their guests at a celebration thrown by Prince Charles.
In keeping with the theme of British designers, the bride’s second wedding dress was a high-necked, sleeveless and backless white silk crepe gown by Stella McCartney, paired with white satin shoes by Aquazarra. As Markle clutched the gown’s train to descend the stairs, it was revealed that the soles of the duchess’s shoes were painted baby blue to honor the tradition of a bride wearing “something blue” on her wedding day.
Or maybe they were painted to match the pearly-blue Jaguar convertible roadster that Prince Harry helped his bride into before whisking her off to their reception. Originally produced in 1968, the model has since been converted to an all-electric E-Type Concept Zero (zero emissions, that is).
As the couple waved to the photographers, a large, emerald-cut aquamarine ring was visible on the bride’s right hand; Kensington Palace spokesperson confirmed to Vogue magazine that it is a piece from Princess Diana’s personal collection, though no word on whether the piece was borrowed or a gift from Prince Harry to his bride. It’s worth noting that Markle’s engagement ring, designed by the prince, also contains two diamonds that belonged to his late mother.
It was a glamorous finish to a very special day, and as the blissful-looking couple rode off into the evening, it seemed an exit perfectly befitting modern royalty.