Since marrying into the royal family, Meghan Markle has debuted a range of spectacular fashion looks while attending award ceremonies around the world.
Keenly aware of the importance placed on fashion by the press and public, Meghan has in the past prided herself on not using the services of a stylist, instead taking clear and thought-through agency over her physical appearance.
Though Meghan and her husband Prince Harry may have stepped down as full-time working members of the royal family in March 2020 and moved with their young family to the United States, the couple has maintained their strong relationships with a number of charitable causes, many of which host annual awards ceremonies at which the couple has been present.
In August it was announced that Harry and Meghan would make their first visit to the U.K. since Queen Elizabeth II's Platinum Jubilee celebrations in June to attend two charity events including the WellChild Awards 2022 ceremony. During their trip, the couple will also travel to Germany to mark the one-year way-point to the 2023 Invictus Games.
Ahead of their highly-anticipated return to Britain, Newsweek looks at a selection of Meghan's most spectacular award ceremony fashion moments so far.
WellChild Awards, September 4, 2018
One of the first awards ceremonies that Meghan attended as a member of the royal family was hosted by the WellChild charity for seriously ill children. Harry is the patron of the charity and has attended the awards for a number of years, doing so since his marriage with Meghan by his side.
For the event in 2018, Meghan wore an elegant black tailored pantsuit by Altuzarra modeled on a traditional men's tuxedo. To accessorize, the duchess carried a glitter clutch bag by Stella McCartney and wore minimal jewelry highlighted by a pair of pearl and diamond earrings, reportedly a gift from Queen Elizabeth II.
Australian Geographic Society Award, October 26, 2018
During their royal tour of the South Pacific five months after their wedding, Harry and Meghan attended the Australian Geographic Society awards ceremony in Sydney. Both passionate about environmental causes, the Sussexes congratulted recipients of the awards who were recognized for achievements in the fields of adventure and conservation.
Meghan opted for a dramatic cocktail gown to wear for the occasion designed by Oscar de la Renta in white tulle with a black applique overlay with silhouetted birds throughout.
The Fashion Awards, December 10, 2018
The British fashion awards are a highlight of the industry calendar in the U.K. hosted at London's Royal Albert Hall. Princess Diana was present at the 1989 ceremony and her daughter-in-law Meghan followed suit 29 years later.
The awards honored the designer of Meghan's wedding dress, Clare Waight Keller, who is the creative director of the Paris fashion house, Givenchy. For the occasion, Meghan wore a black silk slip dress with an asymmetric neckline designed by Waight Keller that accentuated her developing pregnancy.
Endeavour Fund Awards, February 7, 2019
The Endeavour Fund awards are another organization that has a strong association with Harry and Meghan, with the couple attending the ceremony in 2019 and 2020, the latter being among the last of their engagements before stepping down as working royals.
At the 2019 event, Meghan wore another custom Givenchy creation that comprised a floor-length black skirt with a statement slit and an elegant white blouse cut to reveal an unusual neckline. With this look, the duchess paired Aquazzura's statement "Rendez Vous" high heels.
WellChild Awards, October 15, 2019
For the 2019 WellChild awards, Meghan opted for a toned-down look but one which had a strong emotional connection attached to it. The royal wore the forest green P.A.R.O.S.H. dress that she had debuted for her engagement interview with Harry in November 2017.
With the dress, Meghan paired a calf-length camel wrap coat by Sentaler that she had previously worn for Christmas with the queen, and also carried a tortoiseshell mini handbag by Montunas.
Endeavour Fund Awards, March 5, 2020
The Endeavour Fund awards in 2020 took place during the Sussexes' last round of official engagements before they stepped down as working royals and as such public interest in the event was increased.
Several iconic images of the couple were taken on the evening of the awards as the photographers' flashlights highlighted the falling rain which juxtaposed brilliantly against Meghan's bold blue dress.
The form-fitting dress was made by the pop-star turned fashion designer, Victoria Beckham and was sleekly styled with paired-back accessories including a Stella McCartney marbled clutch bag.
Intrepid Valor Awards, November 10, 2021
For the first high-profile awards event since the COVID pandemic of 2020, Meghan, alongside Prince Harry, attended the Intrepid Valor awards ahead of Veterans' Day honoring the bravery of service personnel in the line of duty.
For the event, Meghan wore a showstopping red silk evening gown designed by Wes Gordon for Carolina Herrera. The deep red color was reminiscent of the poppy, a symbol of remembrance for those who died for their country, worn throughout Europe each November.
NAACP Image Awards, February 26, 2022
As recipients of the prestigious president's award, Harry and Meghan attended the NAACP Image Awards in California in February 2022. For the event, Meghan wore a custom evening gown in ombre shades of blue designed by Christopher John Rogers, a favorite designer of Michelle Obama and Adele.
With the outfit, Meghan wore a pair of glittering Aquazzura "Celeste" high-heeled sandals and her jewelry included a sapphire and gold bracelet that belonged to Princess Diana.
Uncommon Knowledge
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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
