The veil was 5 metres long (16.5 feet) made of silk
tulle embroidered with flora and fauna from all 53 countries of the Commonwealth.
The embroidery also included a California Poppy for Meghan’s home state and
Wintersweet which grows on the gardens of Kensington Palace. Symmetrically placed at the very front of the veil,
crops of wheat are delicately embroidered and blend into the flora, to
symbolize love and charity.
The Commonwealth was a
term coined by the British politician Lord Rosebery in 1884. It was a means for
the Britain to gradually release its hold over former colonies but still retain
a connection to them as allies. And today, the newly married Duke and Duchess
of Sussex have been given the role of youth ambassadors to the Commonwealth
The veil was held in place with Queen Mary’s diamond
bandeau tiara lent by Queen Elizabeth II
