Six years after leaving behind her duties as an active member of the British royal family and starting a new life in the United States, Meghan Markle returns to the United Kingdom. The Duchess of Sussex and Prince Harry will settle for an extended period in a private British residence along with their children, Archie and Lilibet, although they will not resume for now their former roles as members of the British royal family.
And, beyond everything this move means for the family, there is another inevitable question: what Meghan will we see now through her wardrobe? Because few public figures have used clothing to tell so evidently the different stages of their life. Before meeting Prince Harry, Meghan had a style. Upon becoming a duchess, that wardrobe had to adapt to an institution with its own codes. And when she moved to California, many of the norms that had governed her choices in previous years disappeared.
The evolution of Meghan Markle’s style
Meghan’s evolution does not begin with Prince Harry. Before entering the royal family, she already understood that clothing could help her build her public image, also thanks to her acting career. The stylist Elizabeth Tuke, who worked with her before her royal phase, explained in an interview that Meghan had a special understanding of «the role that clothing plays in conveying one’s own identity».
Meghan Markle con una camisa y vaqueros en los comienzos de su relación con el príncipe Harry.
Tuke also recalls in an interview a few years ago with UN Women that the duchess was seeking a very specific look: “She wanted a styling that conveyed strength and intelligence.” With this, it seems that the duchess was already using the wardrobe as a tool to control her image and reinforce the message she wanted to convey.
How Meghan Markle’s style changed upon entering the royal family
The change began to be perceived even before she officially became a duchess. The photographs of Meghan Markle and Prince Harry’s engagement announcement, in November 2017, were one of the first clues as to what her new wardrobe would be like. To pose for photographers in the gardens of Kensington Palace, she chose a white coat from the Canadian brand Line the Label over a dark green dress by P.A.R.O.S.H. and nude-colored Aquazzura heels.
Meghan Markle con abrigo blanco y vestido verde en 2027.
Something similar happened with the official engagement photographs taken by Alexi Lubomirski. Meghan chose for one of them a spectacular black dress by Ralph & Russo with a sheer tulle bodice and gold embroidery. The choice was considerably more daring than the type of portrait the royal family was used to, and it showed that, at least at the beginning, her new position was not going to mean giving up entirely the glamour that had been part of her life as an actress.
From there, her transformation became progressively more evident. Midi dresses appeared, fascinators, structured coats, small handbags and pumps, while neutral tones, navy blue, dark green and black gained space in her wardrobe. British brands such as Stella McCartney, Givenchy or Burberry also began to occupy a prominent place.
Those who worked with her during those years have explained precisely that attempt to find a middle ground. Her stylist George Northwood, who helped build her image during her royal era, stated that the goal was to maintain part of the naturalness Meghan carried from California to London.
Meghan Markle con abrigo crudo y accesorios en Sandringham, Norfolk.
«We created a Californian feel, but a bit more formal,» he explained in an interview. Northwood also described her as «a very modern princess, a princess you can relate to».
The wedding dress that defined her royal style
Her Givenchy wedding dress is probably the best example of that blend between protocol and personality. Facing the lace, embroidery and large volumes typical of many royal weddings, Meghan chose an extremely clean design, with a bateau neckline and virtually no decorative elements.
Her designer, Clare Waight Keller, has explained that Meghan was very clear about the result she was seeking: «She wanted to bring simplicity and timeless elegance». They also aimed to maintain, according to the designer, «that seemingly simple, fresh and personal American style».
Meghan Markle con su segundo vestido de novia.
Waight Keller summarized years later with another revealing statement: «Purity and simplicity were the principles that guided us». In other words, even in one of the most ceremonial moments of her life, Meghan continued to rely on the minimalism that had already characterized her style before meeting Prince Harry.
From fascinators to relaxed California luxury
After stepping away from her duties as an active member of the royal family and settling in the United States, Meghan’s wardrobe relaxed noticeably. The fascinators and institutional dresses gave way to white shirts, jeans, wide-legged trousers, flowing dresses, flat sandals, ballet flats, and knitwear.
Meghan Markle y Harry en un evento en Nueva York.
Rather than completely changing her style, Meghan recovered many of the codes she already used before becoming a duchess. In addition, there is a more Hollywood facet, with dresses from Carolina Herrera, Valentino or Louis Vuitton for her red-carpet appearances.
Megan Markle con vestido negro en un evento en California en 2024.
During her royal period, choosing a label could have a diplomatic or institutional component. In California, that choice responds much more directly to the brands, designers and projects that Meghan herself wants to support.
How Meghan Markle might dress on her return to the United Kingdom
Therefore, it does not seem likely that Meghan will regain exactly the wardrobe she wore before leaving. The most logical would be to see a blend of her two stages: long coats, trench coats, tailoring, knit sweaters and streamlined dresses, paired with loafers, ballet flats, flowing trousers and neutral tones that have become habitual in her American wardrobe.
Meghan Markle y el príncipe Harry en los famosos Invictus Games en Dusseldorf.
Camel, chocolate brown, cream, black, white and navy blue will probably continue to form the base. But the fundamental difference is that this time Meghan does not need to adapt her style completely to an institution.
