Official sketches of Meghan Markle’s wedding dress revealed

Kensington Palace has released official sketches of Meghan Markle's stunning Givenchy wedding dress.

Designed by British fashion designer Clare Waight Keller, who is the first female creative director of Givenchy, the dress has been hailed as elegant and classic.

The sketches, released in two separate tweets from the Palace official Twitter account, reveal the incredible thought and detail that went into not only the silhouette of the bateau-necked gown but also the veil.

The veil featured the distinctive flora of all 53 Commonwealth countries as well as two flowers close to Meghan and Harry’s hearts - the Wintersweet found in Kensington Palace and the California poppy, from where she was born.

The gown has been described by Kensington Palace as "epitomising a timeless minimal elegance referencing the codes of the iconic House of Givenchy".

As the world speculated in previous weeks over which designer might get the call up, the names of several British fashion houses were thrown in the ring, with Ralph & Russo, Stella McCartney, Alexander McQueen and Erdem deemed frontrunners.

Talking of the appointment, Waight Keller, said: "It was an extraordinary moment when she told me.

"Of course it's an incredible thing to be part of such a historic moment."

Ms Waight Keller said the process was collaborative, adding: "I think she had very much seen my work and knew what I did.

"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 very classical, beautiful style."