Meghan Markle's Theia Dress Designer Had a Clue the Duchess of Sussex Was Pregnant
- Meghan Markle wore a custom white Theia gown for a dinner with Tonga’s king and queen.
- Theia’s creative director, Don O’Neill, said the dress was initially made in just two days.
- But it had to be remade—and he got an early clue the Duchess of Sussex was pregnant.
During a special dinner with the king and queen of Tonga, Meghan Markle stepped out with Prince Harry in a stunning white Theia gown featuring cap sleeves and beading details. She paired the dress with one of Princess Diana’s cocktail rings, paying tribute to her late mother-in-law.
Pool/Samir Hussein//Getty Images
Pool//Getty Images
The dress was custom-made but based on their beaded silk satin column gown, which was previously on sale in navy. A version of Meghan’s dress will soon be available for preorder on the Irish brand’s website. Shop similar styles
Don O’Neill, creative director of Theia, explained the design process in a press release, People reports. According to him, the dress creation took two days. “When her stylist reached out to inquire if I could make a dress for her Australian press tour, I stopped everything we were doing (my bridal show was just a week away) and immediately went to work on Her Royal Highness’ gown,” he said in the release.
But after they sent the dress to her, it needed to be remade. And one direction they received made it clear the Duchess of Sussex was expecting. “We needed to remake it with extra seam allowance,” O’Neill said. “We knew immediately why this extra allowance was required, but mum’s the word, and with less than one week to my bridal show, all hands were on deck once more.”
Now that the news is out—and Meghan wore her Theia gown—O’Neill and his team are thrilled. "I am humbled and so excited to dress The Duchess of Sussex. It has been an exciting whirlwind collaboration," he said in the release. "Her Royal Highness is a truly beautiful inspiring woman, a bright shining light in this world, and we at Theia are truly honored to be part of The Royal Tour of Australia, Fiji, the Kingdom of Tonga and New Zealand."
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