Duchess Meghan follows in Princess Diana, Princess Kate's footsteps in establishing go-to designers

The Duchess of Sussex wore Givenchy at her first Royal Ascot.

June 20, 2018, 10:44 AM

Meghan Markle stood out Tuesday at her first appearance at the Royal Ascot in a white, couture Givenchy dress.

The dress was designed by Clare Waight Keller, the same designer of the sleek, minimalist wedding gown Meghan wore at her May 19 nuptials to Prince Harry.

PHOTO: Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex and his wife Meghan, Duchess of Sussex walk down the west steps of St George's Chapel, Windsor Castle, in Windsor, on May 19, 2018 after their wedding ceremony.
Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex and his wife Meghan, Duchess of Sussex walk down the west steps of St George's Chapel, Windsor Castle, in Windsor, on May 19, 2018 after their wedding ceremony.
Andrew Matthews/AFP/Getty Images

Keller, the first female fashion director at the French fashion house Givenchy, has now dressed the Duchess of Sussex twice since the wedding.

PHOTO: Meghan Markle, Duchess of Sussex attends day 1 of Royal Ascot at Ascot Racecourse, June 19, 2018, in Ascot, England.
Meghan Markle, Duchess of Sussex attends day 1 of Royal Ascot at Ascot Racecourse, June 19, 2018, in Ascot, England.
Max Mumby/Indigo/Getty Images

Meghan turned to Keller for her first solo engagement with Queen Elizabeth. She stunned in a cream Givenchy dress for the pair's June 14 visit to Cheshire.

PHOTO: Queen Elizabeth II stands with Meghan, Duchess of Sussex during a ceremony to open the new Mersey Gateway Bridge, June 14, 2018, in the town of Widnes in Halton, Cheshire, England.
Queen Elizabeth II stands with Meghan, Duchess of Sussex during a ceremony to open the new Mersey Gateway Bridge, June 14, 2018, in the town of Widnes in Halton, Cheshire, England.
Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images

The Duchess of Sussex, like Princess Kate, is establishing a few trusted British designers she turns to time and time again.

“I think she had seen my work and knew what I did,” Waight Keller said after Meghan and Harry's wedding. “I think she loved the fact that I was a British designer and working in a house such as Givenchy, which has its roots in a classical, beautiful style from the time of Hubert [de Givenchy] himself.”

Kate’s union with her wedding dress designer, Sarah Burton of Alexander McQueen, has cultivated looks at some of her most important engagements.

Kate has worn the designer on more than 30 occasions since her 2011 wedding, highlighting British fashion and establishing a partnership with the eponymous fashion house for landmark events like the christenings of Kate’s two older children, Prince George and Princess Charlotte.

PHOTO: Britain's Kate the Duchess of Cambridge carries Princess Charlotte after taking her out of a pram as they arrive for Charlotte's Christening at St. Mary Magdalene Church in Sandringham, England, July 5, 2015.
Britain's Kate the Duchess of Cambridge carries Princess Charlotte after taking her out of a pram as they arrive for Charlotte's Christening at St. Mary Magdalene Church in Sandringham, England, July 5, 2015.
Chris Jackson/AP

Meghan's go-to designers are, so far, the two women who created her wedding day looks: Keller and Stella McCartney.

McCartney created the tie-belted coat Meghan wore on her first visit to Wales with Prince Harry, the navy cape dress she wore for Queen Elizabeth’s 92nd birthday concert and, of course, the stunning gown Meghan wore to her evening wedding reception.

PHOTO: The newly married Duke and Duchess of Sussex, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, leave Windsor Castle after their wedding to attend an evening reception at Frogmore House, in Windsor, England, May 19, 2018.
The newly married Duke and Duchess of Sussex, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, leave Windsor Castle after their wedding to attend an evening reception at Frogmore House, in Windsor, England, May 19, 2018.
Steve Parsons/Pool via Reuters

Meghan and Kate are following in the footsteps of their late mother-in-law, Princess Diana, in establishing partnerships with selected designers. Diana championed British designers, including Catherine Walker, who designed some of Diana's most memorable fashion.

PHOTO: Diana, Princess of Wales, wearing a Catherine Walker pink dress during a visit to Newcastle, March 29, 1983 in Newcastle, Australia.
Diana, Princess of Wales, wearing a Catherine Walker pink dress during a visit to Newcastle, March 29, 1983 in Newcastle, Australia.
Anwar Hussein/Getty Images

All eyes will be on Meghan’s style again next month when she and Harry make their first official trip as newlyweds. The couple will visit Dublin on July 10 and 11, according to Kensington Palace.

The royal family will also gather for a significant occasion just before Meghan and Harry’s trip.

Princess Kate and Prince William’s newborn son, Prince Louis, will be christened July 9 at St. James's Palace in London.

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