Meghan Markle Just Presented Her Wedding Dress Designer With A Fashion Award

The Duchess of Sussex presented a trophy to Givenchy's Clare Waight Keller at The Fashion Awards…

Meghan Markle was a surprise guest at The Fashion Awards on Monday evening, appearing to present her wedding dress designer – Givenchy's Clare Waight Keller – with the award for British Designer of the Year Womenswear.

The Duchess of Sussex was introduced to the stage by actress Rosamund Pike, after skipping the red carpet and taking the guests at London's Royal Albert Hall by complete surprise. Dressed in a black asymmetric gown, Meghan cradled her blossoming baby bump, as she welcomed Clare to collect her trophy.

Meghan's wedding gown – which is currently on display at Windsor Castle as part of its exhibition A Royal Wedding: The Duke and Duchess of Sussex – was one of 2018's best-kept secrets. Prior to Clare Waight Keller's name being attached to the dress, fans speculated that the Duchess would go with Erdem or Ralph & Russo for her big day, but Meghan chose Clare.

The double-bonded silk cady gown, with its long sleeves, boat neck and sweeping train, was accompanied by a five-metre long silk tulle veil. A statement released by Kensington Palace at the time of the wedding read, "The dress epitomises a timeless minimal elegance referencing the codes of the iconic House of Givenchy and showcasing the expert craftsmanship of its world-renowned Parisian couture atelier founded in 1952.

"True to the heritage of the house, the pure lines of the dress are achieved using six meticulously placed seams. The focus of the dress is the graphic open bateau neckline that gracefully frames the shoulders and emphasises the slender sculpted waist. The lines of the dress extend towards the back where the train flows in soft round folds cushioned by an underskirt in triple silk organza. The slim three-quarter sleeves add a note of refined modernity."

Meanwhile in her statement, Claire said, "As a British designer at a Parisian haute couture house, and on behalf of all of us at Givenchy who have been able to experience such an extraordinary process of creativity, I am extremely proud of what we have accomplished and grateful to Meghan Markle, Prince Harry and Kensington Palace for allowing us to be part of this historical chapter.”