All eyes were on Windsor at the weekend and no more so than on ‘the dress’.

Meghan Markle, now officially the Duchess of Sussex, wore a show-stopping haute couture Givenchy gown, estimated to have cost £387,000, as she married Prince Harry in St George’s Chapel at Windsor Castle on Saturday (May 19).

The pure white gown was minimalist with a boat neck and three-quarter length sleeves. So has there been a surge in requests for this style of dress?

“It’s something we have been seeing for a while now,” says Julie Kellam, founder of Frances Day Bridal in Southwell.

“Over the last five years there’s definitely been a shift from lace, more Kate Middleton look to the cleaner, sleeker lines.

“Our brides definitely tend to like that really sleek, clean cut look Meghan wore on Saturday.

“So for us, it’s a nice continuation of that.”

Chloe Mason, of Bridal Suite in Boundary Road, West Bridgford, believes that there is going to be a surge in the amount of brides-to-be wanting the ‘Meghan’ dress but not carbon copies.

“I don’t think they will want to same as Meghan but a take on it. Maybe with a thin strap or a different fit.”

However, Chloe also says that the plain dress theme has already been evident.

“We go to Harrogate [Bridal Show] every year in September and last September there were lots of plain gowns and we introduced them into the boutique in January.”

It may not be the design that people are requesting, according to Angela Robson, owner and director of Iconic Bride in Edwinstowe.

“It’s early to say but we did have a bride who has left a message for us who came in before the Royal Wedding and is now interested in a couture dress.”

“Brides are going for couture and that streamlined and structured fit. Sleeves are also bang on trend this season.”

The camera lens was on Meghan for a second time when she emerged from Windsor Castle in another sleek and simple gown, this time by Stella McCartney ready for the couple’s evening reception at Frogmore House.

“Both gowns were so beautifully clean cut and that’s what I expected Meghan to wear,” says Julia.

“She’s got such a simplistic and elegant style, I think there was no huge surprises on the dresses from my point of view.”

Angela says that a post on Iconic Brides Facebook page, relating to the bespoke McCartney gown, has garnered quite a reaction.

“Our couture designer, Caroline Castigliano, has one very similar in her collection.”

“People seem to be very excited about that and interestingly, one of our bridesmaid dress suppliers is in America and they preferred the second dress.

“So, though it’s early, I think the second dress has perhaps got people’s attention.”

Julia also adds that the ‘less is more’ approach is more about the women choosing them, rather than the dress itself.

“I think these days, brides are feeling more empowered to really wear what they want to wear and what suits their personality and their personal style.”

“They are not having to buy a ‘wedding dress’ and have a dress they perceive to be a wedding dress.

“Girls are being far braver to have a dress that reflects them as a person, as a bride. Rather than something that is a ‘traditional’ wedding dress.”