During her time as an actress, best known for her role as Rachel Zane in the hit legal TV drama Suits, Meghan Markle was no stranger to a Hollywood party or red carpet event.
However, when she married Prince Harry in 2018, the new Duchess of Sussex joined the ranks of the world's most desirable party guests and has, since the couple's split from the monarchy in 2020, attended a number of charity awards and galas in an array of showstopping gowns.
Here, Newsweek looks at five of Meghan's most glamorous red carpet fashion moments, from premieres to awards galas.
The Lion King
In the summer of 2019, Harry and Meghan were guests of honor at a special London premiere of the Disney re-adaptation of The Lion King movie.
For the occasion, Meghan looked ultra-chic in a black sweetheart neckline cocktail dress featuring sheer bodice and sleeve panels from designer Jason Wu.
The duchess paired the dress with matching black accessories, with her hair styled in a classic chignon at the back of the head.
Salute To Freedom Gala
In 2021, a year after Harry and Meghan relocated to the U.S. after stepping away from the royal family, the duchess made a dramatic appearance on the red carpet of the Salute to Freedom Gala veterans event in New York City.
Honoring the red color of the poppy, an international symbol of remembrance for soldiers who lost their lives in world conflicts, Meghan wore a vivid red evening gown designed by Carolina Herrera.
Ripple of Hope Awards Gala
For the Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights Ripple of Hope Award Gala in New York City in December 2022, Meghan and Harry walked the blue carpet hand-in-hand, as the duchess stood out from the bold color scheme, wearing an elegant white evening dress designed by French fashion house Louis Vuitton.
Meghan styled the dress with her simple slicked back hairstyle and a pair of black pointed high heeled pumps.
Women of Vision Awards
Another New York City awards appearance saw Meghan opt for a glittering gold cocktail dress with daring bust cut-out designed by Colombian fashion designer Johanna Ortiz.
Meghan wore her hair styled in waves across one shoulder for the event and styled the look with gold heeled sandals and gold and diamond jewelry.
Variety Power of Women Gala
Meghan's most recent red carpet appearance was made in November 2023, where the duchess attended the Variety Power of Women Gala in Los Angeles.
For the gala, the royal wore a classic asymmetric evening gown in one of her favorite neutral shades designed by Proenza Schouler.
Meghan wore her hair in her slicked back style with a chignon at the nape of the neck and carried a black leather clutch bag, paired with black heeled pumps.
James Crawford-Smith is Newsweek's royal reporter, based in London. You can find him on X (formerly Twitter) at @jrcrawfordsmith and read his stories on Newsweek's The Royals Facebook page.
Do you have a question about King Charles III, William and Kate, Meghan and Harry, or their family that you would like our experienced royal correspondents to answer? Email royals@newsweek.com. We'd love to hear from you.
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Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.
About the writer
James Crawford-Smith is a Newsweek Royal Reporter, based in London, U.K. His focus is reporting on the British royal family ... Read more
