Meghan Markle, Duchess of Sussex’s explosive entry into the royal family was met with a media frenzy for all the wrong reasons: she was American, biracial, a Hollywood actress, the tabloids very much wanted us to know. But one thing swiftly became apparent in photographic coverage of the Duchess: the woman can dress. While UK media outlets focused on highlighting all the ways in which they felt Meghan deviated from the royal norm, US media outlets fell in love with her style, a mix of classic preppy pieces and elegant high-glamour gowns that drew comparisons to both Princess Diana and Jackie Kennedy over the course of her royal tenure.
Now peacefully retired to California with husband “Just Harry” and kids Archie and Lilibet Diana, we’re no longer treated to front-row photos of Meghan’s latest looks while on royal duty — a sacrifice we’re more than happy to make, by the way, in exchange for her newfound freedom. But as the Duchess regains her freedom in her home country, we can’t help but be nostalgic for the parade of royal fashion we once feasted on the morning after every royal outing from 2018 to February 2020. Actually: Let’s talk about February 2020.
For her final week of royal engagements in February 2020, Meghan brought it, fashion-wise, in such dizzying succession that all we could do was stare in amazement. First, her teal Victoria Beckham dress captured under an umbrella with Harry, the now-famous illuminated photo of the soon-to-be-departing couple at the Endeavor Fund Awards. Next, her striking red Safiyaa cape dress, worn to the Mountbatten Music Festival and matching Harry’s Royal Marines uniform. Then, the emerald green Wickstead cape dress with a matching fascinator worn to the Commonwealth Day Service, in which Meghan was photographed hundreds of times over smiling, catching the camera’s eye, and looking like she knows exactly what she’s doing.
Meghan has now moved on to a more casual California style, which, by the way, is also incredible, but we’ll always be swooning over the looks she brought to her royal engagements. Check out some of our favorite styles below, from her royal days to now.
A version of this story was originally published in 2021.
Christmas Day Church Service (2017)
Meghan’s first Christmas with the royals saw her in a camel Sentaler coat, Stuart Weitzman brown suede boots, a brown leather Chloé shoulderbag, and a matching hat.
RAF 100th Anniversary Ceremony (2018)
Meghan Markle’s navy custom Dior stunned at the Royal Air Force 100th Anniversary Ceremony.
Armistice Day (2018)
Meghan loves a bateau neckline and a navy set — here, we have the best of both worlds.
St. George’s Chapel (2018)
Designer Clare Waight Keller took the lead on Meghan Markle’s custom Givenchy wedding gown, a royal fashion moment well worth remembering.
Commonwealth Day Service (2018)
Meghan wore a white Amanda Wakeley coat over a navy dress and a white Stephen Jones hat for this year’s service.
Admiralty House (2018)
Meghan wore this stunning white Karen Gee dress for a trip to Admiralty House in Sydney on their tour of Australia.
Trooping the Colour (2018)
Meghan’s custom pink Carolina Herrera look looked like royal perfection to us — but some complained after the fact that her dress had broken royal tradition by being off-the-shoulder.
Commonwealth Youth Challenge Reception (2018)
This yellow Brandon Maxwell dress is a fan favorite for followers of the Duchess’ fashion.
Wimbledon (2018)
Meghan’s Ralph Lauren blue-and-white striped shirt and Panama hat were added to shopping lists everywhere after this Wimbledon appearance.
Christmas Day Church Service (2018)
Another classic navy ensemble for Meghan at Christmas, paired with black leather boots, gloves, and purse.
Commonwealth Day Service (2019)
Meghan’s pillbox hat drew comparisons to Jackie Kennedy in this fabulous white maternity look.
Commonwealth Day Youth Event (2019)
This custom Erdem jacket was the perfect look for Meghan’s Commonwealth Day trip to Canada House.
Cirque Du Soleil’s Totem Premiere (2019)
Meghan’s sparkly navy Roland Mouret gown was the talk of the town at Royal Albert Hall.
London Stadium (2019)
Meghan and Harry hit up a Boston Red Sox vs New York Yankees baseball game at the London Stadium where the Duchess stunned in a black Stella McCartney dress and Aquazzura slingback flats.
Casablanca (2019)
This definitely doesn’t look like our airport arrivals! Meghan’s red Valentino cape dress is the definition of traveling in style.
Natural History Museum (2019)
The Duchess was glowing at this gala performance of “The Wider Earth” in a white Calvin Klein dress and an Amanda Wakeley coat.
The National Theatre (2019)
This blush maternity ensemble from Brandon Maxwell is so chic.
Birkenhead (2019)
Meghan turned heads on this day of royal duty in a bright purple dress from Babaton by Aritizia and a striking red Sentaler coat.
Trooping the Colour (2019)
Meghan appeared during her maternity leave for the Trooping the Colour ceremony in this gorgeous navy Givenchy look.
‘Lion King’ Premiere (2019)
Meghan’s black Jason Wu dress at the July Lion King premiere in London showed the world the new mom back in formalwear for the first time since Archie was born in May.
Wimbledon (2019)
Meghan paired a classic white shirt with a Hugo Boss pleated midi skirt for this year’s Wimbledon look.
Cape Town (2019)
Meghan has worn this gorgeous Veronica Beard blue dress at least twice: once in Tonga, and once in Cape Town.
Bo Kaap (2019)
Meghan’s olive green Staud dress was the perfect piece to celebrate Heritage Day in Cape Town.
Canada House (2020)
Meghan made shades of brown work like never before in this brown Massimo Dutti turtleneck and silk skirt, Jimmy Choo pumps, and a Reiss wool coat.
Endeavour Fund Awards Ceremony (2020)
This teal Victoria Beckham dress turned all the heads as Meghan made her final return to London.
Mountbatten Music Festival (2020)
Meghan was a vision in a red Safiyaa capelet gown at her second-to-last royal engagement.
Commonwealth Service (2020)
Meghan’s green Wickstead cape dress at her final royal engagement had all eyes on her.
One Young World Summit (2022)
Markle took our breath away with this full red monochromatic ensemble for the One Young World Summit.
The State Funeral Of Queen Elizabeth II (2022)
Honoring Queen Elizabeth II at her state funeral, Markle looked classic in this black dress with a cape detail, gloves and a matching black statement hat. What a look!
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