More thoughts on the royal wedding
Clothing is a powerful symbol. Meghan, Duchess of Sussex’s modern, romantic wedding dress by Givenchy was a nod to the goddesses he dressed – Princess Grace of Monaco, Audrey Hepburn and Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, among them – as well as to the woman who now heads the house, Clare Waight Keller, its first female artistic director. The columnar effect of that simply elegant dress and her white halter Stella McCartney gown for the evening party echoed Carolyn Bessette’s Calvin Klein gown for her marriage to John F. Kennedy Jr.
That said, some did wedding day fashion better than others. Apart from the bride, other wows included mother of the bride Doria Ragland in lime Oscar de la Renta (lime being a big theme of the day; see Queen Elizabeth II and Pippa Middleton); Harry cousin Lady Kitty Spencer in forest-green Dolce &Gabbana with a bold floral pattern at and below the waist; Serena Williams in figure-hugging pink Versace with an asymmetrical neckline; and Sarah, Duchess of York, aka “Fergie,” looking smart in a navy dress and hat with pink trim. Reports had it that the duchess, who wasn’t invited to the wedding of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge (aka William and Kate) in 2011, would be snubbed as would be Pippa Middleton. But both were on hand. Which leads to…
Don’t believe everything you read in the tabloids. In part because prejudice seems to inform a great deal of reporting and public comments – and I don’t mean just racial prejudice, though we can’t discount that. I’ve had white people say to me that Meghan can’t hold a candle to Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, and black people say that Kate was cold and aloof at her formal wedding whereas Meghan looked strong at hers. But why must it be either/or? Kate – a structured oldest child who married a structured oldest child – suits her husband the way Meghan – a risk-taking youngest child who married a risk-taking younger child – suits her. Remember, too, that William and Kate are the future king and queen of England. They must toe the line in a way Harry and Meghan won’t have to. It’s like Jane Austen’s “Sense and Sensibility,” Windsor-style.
Seeing William, Kate, Harry and Meghan – the new Fab Four – together, they seem to be all getting along.
Why can’t we?