Meghan Markle's dress designed by Birmingham-born designer Clare Waight Keller

Meghan Markle arrives at St George’s Chapel. Credit: PA

The royal wedding dress worn on Saturday was designed by Birmingham-born Clare Waight Keller, who made history as the first female artistic director at French fashion house Givenchy.

Meghan’s five metre-long veil held in place by Queen Mary’s diamond tiara featured flowers from all Commonwealth countries, as well as her native California.

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle during their wedding ceremony. Credit: PA

The bridal gown itself was simple in a classic white, but the elaborate veil was embroidered with flowers from each of the 53 Commonwealth nations at Meghan’s request, according to Kensington Palace.

Meghan, the Los Angeles-born actress, also selected two personal favourites: a California poppy and wintersweet, which grows in the grounds of Kensington Palace and outside her and Prince Harry’s home, Nottingham Cottage.

Harry & Meghan making their vows during the wedding ceremony Credit: PA

The Commonwealth nations, of which the Queen is the head, were incorporated into the five-metre silk veil with hundreds of man-hours going into the delicate work and workers washing their hands every 30 minutes to keep it pristine.