Overnight, Meghan Markle wore her second formal look of the royal tour, stepping out in Tonga in a white, floor-length gown for a dinner with the country’s king and queen.
The dress, custom-made by Irish label Theia, featured cap sleeves and beading details. The Duchess of Sussex paired it with black pumps and a black clutch. She also wore one of Princess Diana’s cocktail rings, a subtle tribute to her late mother-in-law.
A version of Meghan’s dress, which was based on Theia’s navy beaded silk satin column gown, will soon be available for preorder on the Irish brand’s website.
“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,” Don O’Neill, creative director of Theia, explained in a press release (per People).
The designer also revealed that he knew Meghan was pregnant prior to the royal couple announcing the news.
After the finished dress was sent to Meghan, it had to be sent back to be altered, he explained. “We needed to remake it with extra seam allowance. 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.”
This article originally appeared on InStyle Australia
