Meghan Markle stun in £56,000 engagement gown with Prince Harry which was designed by British label Ralph & Russo & it features a cascading tulle skirt complete with an entirely sheer bodice (Details, pics)

Meghan Markle knew all eyes were going to be on her when she and Prince Harry released their engagement photos today.

And the bride-to-be certainly didn't shy a way from making a statement when it came to her dress. The 36-year-old looked red carpet ready in a glittering couture gown by British label Ralph & Russo. The handmade creation would have taken thousands of hours to make and is estimated to cost £56,000. Kensington Palace confirmed the gown was 'privately purchased'.

From the autumn/winter '16 collection, the floor-length black tulle gown features a silk organza skirt, hand appliquéd with silk tulle ruffles, and an entirely sheer bodice decorated with intricate gold feather thread-work.

Meghan's decision to wear a gown by the London-based designer for such a high profile occasion shows her commitment to supporting British fashion in her new role as a member of the Royal Family.

Supporters were at first only given a glimpse of the gown's sheer bodice in the colour photograph released of Meghan, 36, with her fiance, 35, on the steps of Frogmore House, a private royal residence in the grounds of Windsor Castle.

In it, Meghan is seen clinging on to Harry's arm as they scroll through the castle grounds. The dress's embellished bodice catches the light while the cascading tulle skirt creates a dynamic movement in the image.

However the couple later shared a third photo, revealing the gown in all its glory.Ralph & Russo is a luxurious in-the-know label for high-profile women with a love of fashion. The label, run by Australian couple Tamara Ralph and Michael Russo, specialises in elaborate couture dresses studded with crystals, devoré feathers, iridescent metallic and floor-sweeping trains.

Blake Lively, Angelina Jolie, and Meghan's dear friend Priyanka Chopra are among its many A-list fans.WHO ARE RALPH & RUSSO?Ralph & Russo is the brainchild of Australian couple Tamara Ralph and Michael Russo.

Based in London, the label specialises in elaborate couture dresses studded with crystals, devoré feathers, iridescent metallic and floor-sweeping trains.

One of their handmade creations costs upwards of £10,000 and can take 3,000 to make.Ralph & Russo has earned its global applause as the first British guest member in over a century to be accepted by the Chambre Syndicale de la Haute Couture.

This particular creation costs £46,650, or an estimated £56,000 with VAT. But while there is little doubt it is a showstopping gown, it has not been a unanimous hit.All of their dresses are made by hand, which can take up to 3,000 hours.Dozens of people have already taken to Twitter to question whether the extravagant gown was appropriate for the occasion - while others said it's fit for a princess.

The photographs of Meghan and Harry were taken by celebrated fashion and celebrity photographer Alexi Lubomirski, who has snapped everyone from Julia Roberts to Angelina Jolie.

The pictures were taken earlier this week at Frogmore House, a private royal residence in the grounds of Windsor Castle. The couple released the first two pictures at 11am today, before Kensington Palace put out another one at 1pm, saying: 'Thank you so much for all of the wonderful comments following the release of Prince Harry and Ms Meghan Markle's engagement photographs.

'The couple are so grateful for the warm and generous messages they have received during such a happy time in their lives.'

As a way to say thank you, they have decided to share this candid photograph from the day of their portrait sittings directly with all of you.'

This morning, an intimate black and white portrait of the newly-engaged couple embracing was published alongside an endearing but more formal picture of them sat together holding hands. Frogmore House is where Harry's cousin, Peter Phillips, son of the Queen's daughter, Princess Anne, held his wedding reception with Canadian Autumn Kelly in 2008, and has been tipped privately as a possible venue for Harry and Meghan's own bash.

Harry brought his new fiancée to the Queen's annual Christmas lunch at the palace yesterday, where she was introduced to almost every member of the Royal Family.

The couple announced their engagement on November 27 and a few days later a proud prince introduced his bride-to-be to the nation during a series of official events in Nottingham.