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Meghan Markle’s best style moments as she celebrates 41st birthday
The ‘Meghan effect’ continues to take hold
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Your support makes all the difference.Even before the Duchess of Sussex married into the royal family in 2018, we had been eagerly following her sartorial evolution as the actor appeared on US television series, Suits.
Yet, since the announcement of her engagement to Prince Harry in November 2017, royal fans, shoppers, buyers and designers regularly wait in anticipation to find out what Meghan will wear for a public appearance.
The Duchess has shown her devotion to a select number of fashion houses over the years, wearing designs by the likes of Brandon Maxwell, Roland Mouret, Dior and House of Nonie.
The “Meghan effect” – the royal’s influence on the public’s shopping habits – has resulted in websites selling out of designs in seconds, months-long waiting lists for lesser known brands such as Hiut Denim, and copycat designs produced in hours appearing online after her wearing a certain look.
That said, the Californian-born star has also championed the British high street, wearing affordable looks by Marks and Spencer, Reiss, and H&M and supporting emerging independent labels, such as the shirt brand, With Nothing Underneath.
Of course, no brand is held in as high regard as Givenchy is for the royal. In May 2018, the Duchess wore a white midi-length-sleeved dress with a boat-cut neckline designed by the French fashion house’s creative director, Clare Waight Keller, for her royal wedding to Prince Harry.
In the months that followed, the mother-of-one turned to the luxury brand on several occasions for appearances including her first solo outing with the Queen Elizabeth II, and visits to Royal Ascot and the Royal Academy of Arts.
See Meghan’s most memorable fashion moments below.
Invictus Games, April 2022
Meghan made her first appearance at the Invictus Games in 2022 wearing an all-white suit. The oversized blazer and wide-leg trousers were complemented by simple jewellery and white heels.
Salute To Freedom Gala, November 2021
Meghan pulled off a show-stopping look as ahe wore a bright red gown with a plunging neckline to the Salute To Freedom Gala in New York City on 10 November, 2021.
One World Observatory, September 2021
Meghan Markle kept her post-royal style chic with this matching navy coat and wide leg trousers. She complemented the look with a slick bun as she and Harry visited the One World Observatory with New York mayor Bill De Blasio.
Oprah Winfrey interview, March 2021
For Meghan’s bombshell interview with Oprah Winfrey, she wore a black belted silk dress from Armani that retails for $4,700 (£3,300).
The Duchess was pregnant with her second child, Lilibet Diana Mountbatten Windsor, at the time.
Commonwealth Day Service, March 2020
For one of their final acts as senior members of the royal family, Meghan and Harry attended the Commonwealth Day Service on 9 March 2020.
For the occasion, Meghan wore an emerald ensemble, including a long-sleeve dress, cape, fascinator and matching bag.
The Endeavour Fund Awards, March 2020
As Meghan and Harry embarked on their final events as senior members of the royal family, this iconic image showed the pair walking in the rain in London, backlit with a bright light and Meghan wearing a vivid blue dress.
Gender equality round table, October 2019
Meghan looked picture perfect in her all-red ensemble for a discussion on gender equality with The Queens Commonwealth Trust (QCT) and One Young World at Windsor Castle on 25 October, 2019.
Archie Harrison’s first photocall, May 2019
Days after giving birth to her first child, Archie Harrison Mountbatten Windsor, the new mother opted to keep it simple dressed in a sleeveless white trench dress by British designer Grace Wales Bonner.
International Women’s Day, March 2019
The proud feminist was photographed arriving at King’s College London to sit down for a panel discussion about feminism craddling her bump. The dress, designed by high street brand Reiss, featured a black and white pattern which was layered with a plain black suit jacket.
‘The Wider Earth’ gala performance, February 2019
Wearing a white Calvin Klein dress, the royal arrived at The Wider Earth’s charity performance in London in February 2019 with her husband. The looked was paired with a matching-coloured Amanda Wakeley coat.
Invictus Games closing ceremony, October 2018
Delivering an emotional speech at the closing ceremony for the Invictus Games in Sydney in October 2018, the royal wore an olive green Antonio Berardi tuxedo dress and a pair of Aquazzura cream-coloured heels.
Fa’onelua Convention Centre, October 2018
During her trip to Tonga in 2018, Meghan wore a cotton green and white striped dress from Martin Grant’s SS19 resort collection. The look was teamed with a pair of suede green heels and a Prada cluch bag.
Australian Geographic Society Awards, October 2018
The Duchess sported an ethereal number for her visit to the Australian Geographic Society Awards in October 2018 during her royal tour of the country. The dress was designed by Oscar de la Renta fashion house and is called the ‘Scribble’. The two-tone black and white design features small embellished depictions of swallows that cascade down the tulle overskirt.
State dinner in Tonga, October 2018
Holding hands with her husband Prince Harry at the royal residence in Tonga, the Duchess wore a floor-length white gown by New York designer Theia. Embellished with diamante detailing on the shoulders, the dress was styled with an aquamarine ring which was presumed to be the same design the royal wore to her wedding reception in May earlier that year. The outfit was also accessorised with a pair of Aquazurra heels and a Givenchy clutch bag.
University of the South Pacific, October 2018
An unusually-bright coloured option for a royal, Meghan’s dress – named the Frederica – was designed by Figue which is a brand inspired by travel. The boho, floral wrap design was styled with a pair of black espadrilles and a cream and black woven clutch bag.
State dinner, Fiji, October 2018
The royal posed at the Grand Pacific Hotel in Suva, Fiji dressed in a Ginkgo cape dress in baby blue by London-based fashion brand Safiyaa.
University of Chichester’s Engineering and Digital Technology Park, October 2018
For her first official visit to Sussex, Meghan decided to go for a one-coloured ensemble featuring an &Other Stories green silk shirt, a midi-length green leather skirt by Boss and cream-coloured heels. She accessorised the autumnal look with a Gabriela Hearst satin tote bag and her hair pinned back in a low chignon.
Royal Academy of Arts, September 2018
For her first solo outing as a royal, Meghan chose to wear an all-black outfit. The royal accessorised a long-sleeved Givenchy dress with a pair of sling-back Aquazzura heeled pumps and a Givenchy satin clutch bag.
WellChild awards, September 2018
Looking chic dressed in an all-black suit by Altuzarra, the Duchess smiled as she arrived at the charity function. The mother-of-one paired the demure outfit with a black Deitas camisole top, a black clutch bag and heels.
The Nelson Mandela Centenary Exhibition, July 2018
The royal looked sophisticated in pink for her visit to the Southbank Centre in London, England in July 2018. For the visit, the royal decided to go for an all-pink look comprising of a sleeveless trench by Canadian brand House of Nonie and a matching-coloured shoulder bag designed by Mulberry.
Commonwealth Youth Challenge reception, July 2018
Meghan shone like the sun in this bright yellow Brandon Maxwell dress for her attendance at a Commonwealth Youth event in July 2018.
Royal Ascot, June 2018
Just one month after her royal wedding, it appears that Meghan couldn’t get enough of wearing white if her outfit to her first Royal Ascot is anything to go by. For the visit, the newlywed wore a Givenchy shirt dress with a black belt made by the same brand.
Visit to Chester, June 2018
Visiting Cheshire for the first time for her first solo outing with Her Majesty, Meghan looked elegant dressed in a cream-coloured Givenchy cape dress.
Royal wedding, May 2018
Stepping out of the car at the steps of St George’s Chapel, Windsor Castle, the bride looked like a princess in a white midi-sleeved wedding dress designed by Clare Waight Keller for Givenchy. The dress, which featured a boat-cut neckline, was teamed with a 16ft-long veil sewn with flowers that represented the 53 nations of the Commonwealth. For her ‘something blue’ on the day, her dress’ lining was stitched with a piece of blue fabric from the dress she wore on her first date with Prince Harry. The royal wore an art deco bandeau tiara, picked out by herself, Prince Harry and the Queen, which was made in 1931. The tiara features a brooch dating back to 1893 which was given to Princess Mary on her marriage to Prince George, the Duke of York.
Royal wedding reception, May 2018
For her wedding reception on 19 May 2018, Meghan was spotted exiting Windsor Castle in a high-neck fishtail gown by British designer Stella McCartney.
Engagement photocall, November 2017
In November 2017, Meghan and Harry announced they were engaged. For the photocall in the gardens of Kensington Palace, Meghan wore a $750 (£616) white coat by Canadian brand, Line The Label.
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