From symposiums to galas, royal pageants to foreign tours, Meghan Markle has had a succession of show-stopping fashion moments over the last five years. Fiercely proud that she doesn't use a stylist, Meghan's agency over her wardrobe ensures she remains authentic while presenting an idealized image of herself on the world stage. Here are 10 of Meghan's mic drop fashion moments explained:
1. Wedding Evening Reception, May 19, 2018
Though the dress Meghan wore for her wedding ceremony by Clare Waight Keller for Givenchy was widely celebrated, it was in her choice of dress for the wedding reception that the bride's fun flare for fashion revealed itself. Meghan chose a white Stella McCartney dress with dramatic halter neck detail which was shown to full advantage as Prince Harry drove the couple in an open-top car to the Frogmore House reception. The white of the dress highlighted beautifully Princess Diana's aquamarine cocktail ring that Meghan wore for the evening. This contrast between the subdued formality of the wedding dress and free-flowing drama of the evening look was to set the tone for the rest of Meghan's royal wardrobe.
2. Engagement with The Queen, June 14, 2018
On a rare solo engagement with Queen Elizabeth II shortly after her marriage, Meghan wore a chic cream Givenchy dress with a caped shoulder element. Careful not to overshadow the Queen, Meghan's outfit did not draw focus from the monarch who appeared in lime green. This diplomatic outfit was paired with pearl and diamond earrings reportedly given to Meghan as a wedding present by the Queen.
3. Sentebale Polo Match, July 26, 2018
Meghan caused a stir when she appeared at the Sentebale polo match in 2018 wearing a denim Carolina Herrera faux wrap dress. This was a rare occasion where a member of the royal family was seen wearing denim which did not constitute a pair of respectably conservative jeans. The relaxed Americana-inspired elegance of Meghan's outfit was perfect for the polo and received a popular reaction in the fashion press.
4. The Fashion Awards, December 10, 2018
Much like Princess Diana before her, Meghan saw The Fashion Awards ceremony hosted at the Royal Albert Hall as an opportunity to express herself through her clothes. Presenting the designer of her wedding dress, and friend, Clare Waight Keller, with the British Designer of the Year Womenswear Award, Meghan chose a dramatic black asymmetric Givenchy gown. In December 2018, Meghan was pregnant with her first child, Archie Harrison Mountbatten-Windsor, and the Givenchy dress highlighted her pride in her developing pregnancy.
5. Fiji State Dinner, October 23, 2018
At the state dinner on a visit to Fiji in 2018, Meghan wowed in a floor-length ginkgo cape dress by the London-based brand Safiyaa. Where Meghan's genius for diplomatic dressing was evident was in the choice of color for the dress. Noted in the press as being "Fijian blue", the dress Meghan chose paid homage to the famous blue waters surrounding the islands which were hosting her that evening.
6. Fiftieth Anniversary of the Investiture of the Prince of Wales, March 5, 2019
At this engagement attended by many members of the royal family, Meghan displayed her understanding for wearing clothing that complements her surroundings. In a reference to the gold, silver and white interiors of Buckingham Palace, Meghan wore a white Amanda Wakeley coat over a silver and gold jacquard brocade dress. Meghan's modern above-the-knee hemline contrasted with the more conservative mid-length dress worn by Kate Middleton to the same event.
7. Canada House Commonwealth Day Youth Event March 11, 2019
At the event hosted at Canada House in London, Meghan paid tribute to her love of Canada and Canadian designers by wearing an emerald green embellished coat by British/Canadian designer Erdem. Meghan has long been a fan of the designer who has also created some of Kate Middleton's most memorable outfits.
8. Commonwealth Day Service, March 9, 2020
Described by Vogue as a "mic drop fashion moment" Meghan attended her last official engagement as a full-time working member of the royal family in a green Emilia Wickstead dress with asymmetric cape detail and matching veiled hat. The event came during the turbulent "Mexit" period and the bright dramatic statement of Meghan's outfit created an air of confidence which was supported by Prince Harry who matched the silk lining of his suit jacket to the green of his wife's outfit.
9. Salute to Freedom Gala, November 10, 2021
In their first gala appearance since the pandemic and bombshell interview with Oprah Winfrey in March 2021, Meghan and Harry exuded confidence with Meghan wearing a scarlet red satin gown by Carolina Herrera. The symbolic nature of the dress related to the gala being for veterans of the armed forces and the date being the evening before Veterans Day. Meghan's red dress paid homage to the poppy, the flower associated with remembrance of those who died during the world wars.
10. NAACP Image Awards, February 2022
Meghan's powerful blue ombre Christopher John Rogers gown worn to accept the prestigious NAACP President's Award set the tone for her speech that night with Prince Harry. The statement blue of the dress was used to draw attention to the issues which Meghan would speak about, including voter equality and the situation in Ukraine after the Russian invasion. Rogers described Meghan's wish to consider the dress as a "reveal" having not been seen at a gala occasion since November the previous year.
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
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