Meghan Markle has always been known for her sense of style, both in her time in Hollywood and in her new role as the Duchess of Sussex at Prince Harry’s side. Her fashion choices are the essence of effortless sophistication, both in her private life and in her royal appearances.
Markle has managed to somehow stay true to her own personal taste in her journey from laid-back Canada native into polished and put together Duchess. Keep reading to catch up on all of her top fashion moments as a royal so far.
Introducing Baby Sussex
Before the birth of baby Sussex, Meghan took some time away from the public eye, but in early May 2019, she and Prince Harry introduced the world to their newborn son Archie Harrison. She wore a Grace Wales Bonner trench-inspired dress for the occasion, which was belted at the waist and included flap pockets and button details.
She kept the look simple, with only a delicate necklace around her neck and classic nude suede heels from Manolo Blahnik.
Attending the Commonwealth Day Service
For the Commonwealth Day service, Meghan chose a beautiful Victoria Beckham dress that had only recently been seen on the catwalk. The dress featured a rope-print design and was worn with a matching blazer.
Her pillbox white hat was more on the traditional side, reminiscent of the iconic outfits worn by Jackie O. Meghan broke up all the white with olive green pumps and a matching clutch.
Visiting Canada House
Earlier that same morning, the Duchess of Sussex headed to Canada House in a fabulous forest green coat and dress designed by fellow Canadian Erdem.
The coat looked amazing against her skin and the delicate floral embroidery really completed the look. She paired the coat with black Aquazzura pumps and a Givenchy black satin clutch.
International Women's Day
In early March, on her way to a panel for International Women’s Day, Meghan Markle made quite a statement in a black and white 60's style dress.
She looked both young and trendy in this monochrome look and classed it up with a tailored blazer, Stella McCartney clutch and elegant black Manolo Blahnik heels.
Reception at Buckingham Palace
For a reception at Buckingham Palace in early March, the expectant mother donned an eye-catching gold brocade dress, a rose-colored clutch, nude Paul Andrew heels and one of her signature white coats from Amanda Wakeley. The dress was the perfect length, hitting Meghan just above the knee and its metallic sheen reflected the light beautifully.
The shift style was flattering to her growing baby bump and the golden hues reflecting on her face made the Duchess appear more glowing than ever.
Attending Cirque Du Soleil
Meghan literally shined in mid-January while attending a Cirque du Soleil premiere in a sequin navy gown by Roland Mouret. The dress was a real statement piece with three-quarter length sleeves, a slit leg, and just the right amount of sparkle.
The look was completed with open-toed heels by Stuart Weitzman and a black Givenchy clutch. Meghan even tidied up her signature messy bun for the event, sporting a sleek and tidy low bun. Her makeup look was all evening, with a bronze smoky eye and berry red lips.
Visiting the Royal Variety Charity
During the holiday season, the Duchess was seen on a visit to the Royal Variety Charity’s residential nursing and care home, in a floral dress from the Brock Collection and a grey coat by Soia and Kyo.
She looked lovely in the light lavender dress, which was complemented by the structured grey coat. Choosing not to overpower the look, Meghan opted for a nude clutch and heels.
Out and About
Meghan Markle and her baby bump were seen out and about late last November in a stunning monochrome look in deep burgundy.
She wore a shift-style dress with a smart peter pan collar and over it she chose a similarly hued wool jacket. Black tights and high heeled booties completed the look, while her hair was in a casual but classic ponytail.
Visiting the Auckland War Memorial Museum
While on the Royal tour of Australia, the Duchess visited the Auckland War Memorial Museum with a stylish and appropriate navy dress by Antonio Berardi. The front of the dress included buttons that referenced the classic lines of a double-breasted blazer, while the high-low hem kept things modern.
She wore her hair down in waves and opted for suede pumps by Aquazzura.
Visiting the Wellington Government House
Meghan Markle stands out even wearing all black on her first night in New Zealand. On her visit to the Wellington Government House to celebrate 125 years of women’s suffrage, she wore a Gabriela Hearst gown and Stuart Weitzman heels.
The look was both stylish and feminine, with an ankle-length cut and adorable capped sleeves.
Traveling to Australia
The Duchess of Sussex looks fabulous even when she is traveling, in a burgundy Hugo Boss dress. The deep tone is one of her favorite colors, which is not surprising, since it perfectly complements her skin tone and brown hair. This dress is especially flattering to her figure with its wrap style waist.
The look was made complete with high heeled pumps with over-sized buckles and a delicate nude purse.
At the Australian Geographic Society Awards
It’s no surprise that this is one of the looks that everyone remembers from the Royal Australian tour; this black and white Oscar De La Renta gown is a real statement piece. Megan chose it to attend the Australian Geographic Society Awards at the Shangri-La Hotel in Sydney.
The dress seems like something from a fairy tale with the billowing tulle skirt, exquisite bird details and the ethereal floating neckline is divine.
Visit to Tonga
This look is slightly unusual for Meghan, who typically wears neutral colors or jewel tones, but in this case the bright fabric made for a chic fashion moment. It’s impossible to take your eyes off this electric blue dress by Veronica Beard, with its refined collar, button-up front and tie detail on the waist.
The look is perfect for the afternoon, especially when paired with heels in a softer shade of blue and a classic ponytail.
Reception with the King and Queen of Tonga
While on her way to a reception with the King and Queen of Tonga, the Duchess was a vision of loveliness in this fabulous white gown designed by Theia. The dress fits her perfectly and features airy capped sleeves and a little bling on the shoulder, which works well with her diamond earrings.
The dress is simple and elegant, and Meghan radiates class with every step.
Arriving in Fiji
Meghan clearly loves white and looks amazing in it. She arrived in Fiji in this elegant white dress by Zimmerman with a matching Stephen Jones fascinator angled on her head.
This mid-length, long sleeve gown is perfect for Meghan, she looks casual, classic and confident. All that white was set off by a black clutch and slingback pumps.
Attending the Anzac Memorial in Sydney
At the opening of the Anzac Memorial in Hyde Park, Sydney, Meghan was elegantly and appropriately attired in a smart black dress by Emilia Wickstead. She looked both modest and elegant in the A-line dress, with a button-up front and midi-length hem.
She kept the look stylish by adding a matching black fascinator by Philip Treacy and black pumps by Tabitha Simmons.
At the Government House in Melbourne
Another color that Meghan wears often is navy blue, and she has been seen in many ensembles of that color since joining the royal family. While attending a reception at the Government House in Melbourne, Australia, she wore this beautiful and unique asymmetrical navy dress by Dion Lee.
This ensemble is modest as befitting royalty, but also stylish and modern. The gold bracelet and matching pumps make the look more glamorous.
At Princess Eugenie's Wedding
Fans of the royal family had plenty to talk about when Markle attended Princess Eugenie’s wedding in mid-October, in a tailored navy dress and coat designed by Givenchy.
Although she had yet to announce her pregnancy, her baby bump was clearly in evidence on this occasion. Markle wore matching heels and a fascinator by Noel Stewart.
First Appearance in Sussex
On her first appearance in October in her namesake county of Sussex, the Duchess wore a silk top and daring leather skirt by Hugo Boss.
It is rare to see a royal sporting leather and we are pretty sure it may be frowned upon by the Queen, however, Meghan made it work and on her the leather looked both sophisticated and tasteful.
At the Royal Academy of Arts in London
Although Meghan usually abides by the royal dress code, and only wears modest garments, she has occasionally bent the rules a little for a special outfit. At the end of September, she made her first solo appearance at the Royal Academy of Arts in London in a dramatic black Givenchy gown.
The dress is a mix of velvet and other fabrics and features sheer balloon sleeves. Typically, royalty do not wear anything sheer, but Markle pulls it off and looks elegant and still chic.
Attending the WellChild Awards
While attending the WellChild Awards in early September, the Duchess wore a black power suit by Altuzarra with a black silk blouse. There were rumors circulating earlier this year, that the Queen and Prince Harry would rather she wore skirts and dresses to functions, but Meghan is clearly not ready to give up on her personal style just to please them.
In this case, we’re glad she insisted, because she looks amazing in the trouser and blazer set!
At Wimbledon 2018
At Wimbledon, Kate Middleton is often spotted in the stands in form fitting, summary dresses. Meanwhile, Meghan Markle has her own take on what to wear to the annual tennis championships. At this year’s matches, she donned a blue and white striped button-down tucked into white linen trousers and held a white wide-brim hat with a blue band.
The outfit was the ideal choice for a summary afternoon spent in the stands. She looked stylish and elegant and proved yet again that you don’t have to wear a dress to achieve the perfect look.
Attending Prince Harry's Polo Match
At the end of July, Meghan spent the warm summer day watching Prince Harry play polo and managed to look fabulous despite the heatwave. She wore a Carolina Herrera dress with a chambray texture and a statement belt, which accentuated her waist. She paired the dress with cute sunglasses, a rattan clutch and nude pumps and wore her hair in her signature low bun.
It’s not just the clothes she wears that make Meghan a fashion icon, but also the small details which she pairs them with. Her entire look projects not only sophisticated style but also fashion-forward thinking.
Attending Prince Louis's Christening
To attend Prince Louis’s Christening, Meghan opted for an elegant olive-green Ralph Lauren dress, a Stephen Jones hat and matching heels. The olive shade complemented Markle’s skin tone beautifully, and she made quite the fashion statement by having all of her accessories, including purse and gloves in different variations of the shade.
The ensemble was quite modest, which was the right choice for the spiritual occasion, but still stylish and trendy.
At the Royal Air Force's 100th Anniversary
On July 10th, Markle wore a stunning little black dress by Dior to the Royal Air Force’s 100th Anniversary ceremony, at Westminster Abbey, London. Despite the color, the dress was quite similar to her wedding dress, with its simple shape and boat neck neckline, which flattered her petite frame.
She made the look even more fabulous with a stylish fascinator, nude pointed pumps and Cartier earrings. To highlight the beautiful neckline of the dress, the Duchess wore her hair in a sleek bun.
First Solo Appearance with the Queen
On her first solo appearance with the Queen, while visiting Cheshire, Meghan opted for a ladylike yet chic taupe dress. The dress was designed by none other than the creator of her iconic and hugely anticipated wedding gown, Givenchy.
This look has an off-the-shoulder neckline, which is reminiscent of her wedding dress, and seems to be one of the Duchess’ favorite styles for her many royal public appearances thus far. She paired the dress with a black belt, heels and clutch.
At the 'Trooping The Colour' Event in 2018
The Duchess of Sussex made a public appearance in the beginning of June in this form fitting off-the-shoulder dress by Carolina Herrera, with buttons running down the front. She looked lovely in this delicate shade of pink and topped it off traditionally with a matching pink fascinator by Philip Treacy.
Her look received some criticism from the public, who felt that the off-the-shoulder neckline was not appropriate for a royal engagement. We beg to differ, and think she looked both stylish and elegant while remaining modest.
Attending a Memorial Service on Anzac Day
In late April, Meghan attended a morning memorial service in honor of Anzac Day wearing a fashionable taupe coat with button and pocket detailing by Smythe. Fans loved her look and they especially loved her navy blue wide-brim hat, which perfectly matched the shade of Prince Harry’s long-line navy coat.
When these two coordinate outfits, they make quite a fabulous fashion power couple!
Visiting Edinburgh
Meghan looked both warm and chic when she visited Edinburgh in this duster coat by Burberry. The plaid design on the coat was an excellent choice for the occasion and the classic print was obviously intended to honor the Scottish heritage.
Beneath the coat, Meghan wore a simple black turtleneck and trousers, and her only accessory was a cross-body bag by Strathberry. The entire look was quite casual and the perfect choice in which to greet the crowd.
First Evening Appearance with Prince Harry
Meghan Markle doesn’t dress like your traditional royal, and often wears pants instead of the preferred skirts and dresses. The Queen and Kate Middleton are almost never seen in slacks, which is why Markle received a lot of attention when she wore this Alexander McQueen pantsuit on her first official evening appearance with Harry.
We think it’s great that she’s not letting her new status dictate her fashion choices, and that she looks amazing in this stylish black and white ensemble.
At a Reception for Women's Empowerment
While attending a reception for women’s empowerment in London, in mid-April 2018, Meghan wore a simple yet sophisticated little black dress. The dress received a lot of attention because it was similar to a famous look worn by Jackie O that became known as the “Jackie belted dress.”
Fans feel that this outfit was a planned homage by Meghan to the American First Lady and her impeccable sense of fashion.
Attending the Invictus Games
Wearing the perfect look for spring, Meghan stepped out to attend the Invictus Games celebration reception in London, wearing a pleated green dress with a floral print. The dress, designed by Self Portrait, sported a V-neck, a ruffled bodice and a mid-length skirt.
The dress was flowy and feminine, so Markle made the look more formal with a fitted black blazer and pointy-toe black heels.
The Day Before Her Wedding
On the day before her wedding, Meghan arrived in London to spend her last night as a single woman at Cliveden House. For the occasion, she wore a navy-blue Roland Mouret ruffled dress. The bride-to-be was smiling and happy as she stepped out of the limo in two of her favorites, navy blue and a boat neck neckline.
She would wear the very same type of neckline the following day in her beautiful wedding gown while marrying Prince Harry!
The First Royal Visit to Nottingham
On December 1st, 2017, on her first royal visit to Nottingham, Meghan Markle showed us her stylish side. She was perfectly on trend in knee-high boots and a midi length skirt, but she managed to make the trend her own and looked both stylish and elegant.
People feel like this look may be a nod to Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy, whom Meghan has mentioned as one of her biggest fashion influences.
Attending Christmas Mass
Meghan Markle showed everyone that she could look the part while attending Christmas Mass on the arm of Prince Harry and with the entire royal family. She looked stunning in a traditional chocolate-colored British fascinator with matching boots, gloves and purse.
Above a cherry-colored velvet dress, she wore a camel colored wrap coat by Sentaler, which would become one of her signature pieces, seen often in the winter of that year.
Visiting Ireland
While visiting Ireland, Meghan exemplified her classic style and preference for sleek shapes and minimal print. She was seen out and about in a mermaid-cut, olive-green skirt and cream cashmere sweater by Victoria Beckham. Over the skirt and sweater, she wore a dusky pink wrap coat, paired with maroon velvet stilettos and a top-handled handbag.
The best part of this look is Markle’s signature messy low bun. She is redefining the style worn by royals, who are known for their prim and proper hairstyles.
The Wedding Dress
No Meghan Markle style recap would be complete without talking about her eagerly anticipated wedding dress. Many differing opinions were given about the gown, but no one can argue that it is an embodiment of her personal style.
She is a fan of simple, no frills clothes that are effortlessly elegant, which is why this fitted, long sleeve dress with a delicate boat neck collar was exactly the right choice for her special day.
First Outing as an Engaged Couple
On her first outing with Prince Harry as an engaged couple, in late November 2017, Meghan wore an extremely memorable white wrap coat, which quickly became part of her fashion legacy. That crisp white coat was the first to create the “Meghan Markle effect”, causing it to sell out of every store within moments of her first wearing it.
As we have seen, the wrap coat is one of Meghan’s signature looks, and she can be seen sporting it in various colors all through the cold winter months.
Official Engagement Portraits
Those who follow Meghan Markle’s fashion choices, will also not soon forget what she wore in her official engagement portraits with Prince Harry. She opted for a magnificent ball gown by Ralph & Russo, with a sheer bodice and strategically placed embellishments.
The outfit stirred some controversy because it was considered by many as way too risque to be worn by a member of the royal family. We think Meghan looks fun and flirty in this beautiful dress, but it is definitely one of her more daring fashion choices.
Attending the Commonwealth Day Service
Markle looked both stylish and stunning in mid-March for her first official appearance with the Queen, while attending the Commonwealth Day service at Westminster Abbey. She wore a fitted cream coat over a mid-length navy dress and matching navy heels.
Her ensemble was completed with a navy clutch and a perfectly angled beret on her head. This look perfectly combines the best things about Markle’s style, by being both chic and classic.
First Appearance as the Duchess of Sussex
Another iconic fashion moment took place in late May as Meghan made her first public appearance as Prince Harry’s wife and the Duchess of Sussex. She looked like the perfect princess in a blush pink pencil dress by Goat, with a matching bespoke hat.
This look is stylish and feminine, and extremely modest as befitting her new status as a royal. This look is so traditional, Meghan even wore stockings with her pumps.
Attending a Commonwealth Event
As we’ve seen, Meghan Markle doesn’t often wear bold colors, but when she does, it always makes a statement. She donned an eye-catching bright yellow sleeveless dress by Brandon Maxwell to attend a Commonwealth event in London. This dress is a refreshing change from all of her signature nudes, soft pinks, navy blues and blacks.
The dress also flatters her figure beautifully and features what seems to be swiftly becoming her signature bateau neckline.
The Civil Wedding Ceremony
But of all the different royal looks worn by Meghan Markle so far, the favorite must be her Stella McCartney wedding dress, which she wore after the civil ceremony.
Unsurprisingly, the gown has a simple silhouette, but the halter neck and form-fitting shape are extremely glamorous. The gown complemented the bride’s figure perfectly, and the pulled back hair offset the neckline beautifully.