Royal Tailor Breaks Silence on the Infamous Kate Middleton and Meghan Markle Bridesmaid’s Dress Drama
“All six bridesmaids’ dresses had to be fixed, and we did it.”

It has nearly been five years since Prince Harry married Meghan Markle in May 2018, and we are still talking about the drama between Meghan and her sister-in-law, the Princess of Wales (then the Duchess of Cambridge) over Princess Charlotte’s bridesmaid’s dress in the leadup to the royal wedding.
Now, though, we have a new voice added into the mix: Luxury tailor Ajay Mirpui has spoken out to The Daily Mail about the succession of events (per People) and is shedding some light on what happened. The events were pertinent enough to garner a mention in Spare, Harry’s tell-all released this week.
Here’s what happened, from Harry’s side: Harry writes that Kate texted Meghan four days before the wedding, saying “Charlotte’s dress is too big, too long, too baggy. She cried when she tried it on at home.” Meghan, according to the book, then directed her to see the tailor “standing by” at Kensington Palace since 8 a.m., but Kate insisted “all the dresses need to be remade.” Meghan told Kate that she was under stress because of the wedding and the additional drama surrounding her father, Thomas Markle. Kate said she understood, but the conversation went “back and forth.”
“I’m not sure what else to say,” Meghan finally said, per Spare. “If the dress doesn’t fit, then please take Charlotte to see Ajay. He’s been waiting all day.” Kate’s response? “Fine.”
“A short time later, I arrived home and found Meg on the floor. Sobbing,” Harry writes. “I was horrified to see her so upset but didn’t think it was a catastrophe.” Harry then writes that Kate came by the next day with flowers and a card to apologize.
But now we’re hearing from the aforementioned “Ajay,” who says his team worked quickly to alter the six bridesmaids’ dresses before the wedding on May 19, including Charlotte.
“If anything happened in the background, it didn’t happen in front of me,” Mirpui says. “But yes, weddings are stressful at the best of times—and especially one at this high level; you’ve got to respect that. They were faced with a problem like anyone gets at a wedding, with last-minute hitches. I can understand why anybody would be upset if the dresses weren’t fitting—it’s nerve-wracking.”
Stay In The Know
Get exclusive access to fashion and beauty trends, hot-off-the-press celebrity news, and more.
Of the short-sleeve white dresses with full skirts, “I feel for them all because you wouldn’t want the children to go out on a big stage in an ill-fitting dress—and that’s what they were,” Mirpui says. “All six bridesmaids’ dresses had to be fixed, and we did it.”
Mirpui says that the way the bridesmaids' dresses were when they arrived weren’t going to fit the young girls, who included Charlotte and also Harry’s goddaughters Florence van Cutsem and Zalie Warren, Meghan’s goddaughters Rylan and Remi Lit, and Ivy Mulroney, the daughter of Meghan’s friend Jessica Mulroney.
“We had to work tooth and nail for four days, four of us working until 4 a.m. three nights in a row, to make them fit,” he says. “We left Windsor Castle at 10 p.m. the night before the wedding. Did anyone on the day complain about the bridesmaids’ dresses and how they looked? The answer is no.”
Rachel Burchfield is a writer, editor, and podcaster whose primary interests are fashion and beauty, society and culture, and, most especially, the British Royal Family and other royal families around the world. She serves as Marie Claire’s Senior Celebrity and Royals Editor and has also contributed to publications like Allure, Cosmopolitan, Elle, Glamour, Harper’s Bazaar, InStyle, People, Vanity Fair, Vogue, and W, among others. Before taking on her current role with Marie Claire, Rachel served as its Weekend Editor and later Royals Editor. She is the cohost of Podcast Royal, a show that was named a top five royal podcast by The New York Times. A voracious reader and lover of books, Rachel also hosts I’d Rather Be Reading, which spotlights the best current nonfiction books hitting the market and interviews the authors of them. Rachel frequently appears as a media commentator, and she or her work has appeared on outlets like NBC’s Today Show, ABC’s Good Morning America, CNN, and more.
-
Jennifer Lopez Gets Down to Business in a Mocha Brown Suit
The star's business trip to Dubai began with sultry Saint Laurent suiting.
By Hanna Lustig Published
-
New York's Acne Whisperer Launched Her First Rich Cream and My Skin Has Never Looked Better
Mega hydration without the risk of breakouts? Sign me up.
By Hannah Baxter Published
-
Princess Kate and Duchess Sophie's Relationship Is "One of the Most Important Partnerships"
The royal duo has formed "an unbreakable bond" over the years.
By Kristin Contino Published
-
How Princess Kate and Duchess Sophie's Sisterly Relationship Is "One of the Most Important Partnerships" for the Royals
The royal duo has formed "an unbreakable bond" over the years.
By Kristin Contino Published
-
Princess Kate Raised Eyebrows By Wearing Princess Diana's Priceless Ring During This Risky Vacation Activity
It was a choice.
By Kristin Contino Published
-
How Meghan Markle Included a Sentimental Nod to Prince Harry—and Queen Elizabeth—in the Logo for As Ever
The design is full of meaning.
By Kristin Contino Published
-
All the Details on Princess Kate and Prince William's Seriously Luxe Mustique Vacation
From a $42k villa with a private butler to a celebrity-fave bar, the Waleses are enjoying some fun in the sun.
By Kristin Contino Published
-
Meghan Markle Launches Her 'As Ever' Era in a White Button-Down Shirt and Classic Jeans
The big announcement was a return to basics.
By Hanna Lustig Published
-
Prince Louis Included a Sweet Tribute to Mom Princess Kate in Adorable New Portrait
He's an artist in the making.
By Kristin Contino Published
-
How Meghan Markle Included Princess Lilibet—and Their Stunning Backyard—in Her New Brand, As Ever
The rarely-seen toddler shared in the excitement for her mom's As Ever brand launch announcement.
By Kristin Contino Published
-
The Deeper Meaning Behind Meghan Markle's Reimagined Brand, As Ever
"This new chapter is an extension of what has always been my love language," the Duchess of Sussex wrote on Instagram.
By Kristin Contino Published