Meghan Markle speaks out on 'beautiful friendship' with pal

Meghan Markle has spoken about her “beautiful friendship” with British designer Clare Waight Keller after the latter’s appointment as Uniqlo’s creative director last month.

In an email to the New York Times, the Duchess of Sussex also revealed that she shops at the famous Japanese casual wear brand and owns several of their pieces.

Ms Waight Keller, who also designed Meghan’s wedding dress, became Uniqlo’s new creative director for men’s and women’s core collections from Autumn/Winter 2024.

The two women have kept a close bond over the years, and the duchess praised her friend’s collection saying that some of the pieces she owns include a trenchcoat and several dresses.

She added: “Her pieces for the brand have movement and modern grace.”

Uniqlo’s latest collection, named Lightness in Protection, features muted tones and focuses on “layering, movement and play”.

Meghan wore several of Ms Waight Keller’s designs for Givenchy during her time as a working royal, including at Royal Ascot and while on tour with Prince Harry in Australia.

But the duchess’s most famous piece by the designer is undoubtedly her stunning wedding gown in 2018.

The dress was made of silk with three-quarter-length sleeves, an open bateau neckline and a train with a built-in triple silk organza underskirt. It featured no lace or any other embellishments. Meghan had worked closely with Ms Waight Keller on the design of the garment.

After meeting the designer in early 2018, she chose to work with her for her “timeless and elegant aesthetic, impeccable tailoring, and relaxed demeanour,” according to Kensington Palace.

The two women’s close bond was evident during the 2018 British Fashion Awards, when Meghan presented the designer with the British Womenswear Designer of the Year award.

She praised Ms Waight Keller’s “kindness” and the “values” before the designer said: “This woman is so amazing. I got to know Meghan on such a personal level. To have someone like that trust you on such a personal moment in their life… I can’t thank you enough because it was the most beautiful moment.”

Clare Waight Keller left Givenchy in April 2020 without addressing the reasons for her exit.