Photo: Samir Hussein/WireImage ; Karwai Tang/WireImage
Meghan Markle’s life has been nothing short of a rollercoaster since meeting and marryingPrince Harry, and her style evolution has undoubtedly followed suit.
Before she became the Duchess of Sussex, Meghan was an actress best known forher role onSuits. Born and raised in California, her home state has influenced her fashion through it all, whether she’s hitting a red carpet or stepping out for a royal event, Meghan incorporates a laid-back essence somewhere in her fit.
Of course, Meghan adjusted her Hollywood wardrobe for royal life, but her personality still shone through — like in her short-sleeved dresses or her modern take on royal bridal fashion.
However, Meghan later revealed in her andPrince Harry’s Netflix docuseriesHarry & Meghanthat her style choices as a working royal were much more strategic than one might expect. She explained that she opted for more discreet neutrals to avoid standing out when she was photographed with other members of the royal family.
“Most of the time that I was in the U.K.,I rarely wore color. There was thought in that,” Meghan said, saying that she wasn’t supposed to wear the same color as a more senior member of the family, which is why she went for shades like “camel, beige, white.”
During another episode of the docuseries, however, Meghanexplained how her strategy changedafter she andPrince Harryannounced they were stepping back as working royals, noting that they wanted to make an impact during their last engagements.
“Until that last week in the U.K. I rarely wore color,” she said. “I never wanted to upstage or ruffle any feathers, so I just tried to blend in. But I wore a lot of color that week. I thought: ‘Well, let’s just look like a rainbow.’ "
After moving to California, Meghan and Harry relished in their new easy-going lifestyle — and her fashion transformed as well. Meghan traded in herfascinatorsforstatement sun hatsand started favoring laid-back outfits with button-downs, rompers and plenty of denim. However, the Duchess of Sussex still loves her signature looks, like thewhite off-the-shoulder Louis Vuitton gownshe recently sported at theRobert F. Kennedy Ripple of Hope Award Galaor the monochromatictwo-piece ensembleshe wore in N.Y.C. in 2021.
Ahead, take a look atMeghan Markle’s complete style evolution, from her earliest red carpets to her most iconic fashion moments as a royal.
Meghan Markle in West Hollywood, California, in November 2012
Jerod Harris/WireImage
Meghan Markle at New York Fashion Week in September 2013
Gilbert Carrasquillo/FilmMagic
In 2013, the future duchess attended New York Fashion Week, where she appeared in a short-sleeved olive green dress. To match the dress' gold hardware, Meghan wore gold metallic sandals and some dainty gold jewelry.
Dave J Hogan/Getty
Meghan Markle at the Global Gift Gala in London in November 2013
Mike Marsland/WireImage
Meghan looked regal and elegant at the London Global Gift Gala in 2013. She wore a strapless black dress gathered at the waist, and her hair was pulled to one side in sleek waves. She kept her accessories minimal with a small gold handbag, nude heels and gold dangling earrings.
Meghan Markle at New York Summer Press Day in N.Y.C. in June 2015
Robin Marchant/Getty
In a laid-back red carpet moment, Meghan wore a partially sheer white top and wide-leg white pants for New York Summer Press Day in 2015. Her hair, parted to one side, was styled into beachy waves.
Meghan Markle at the CFDA/VogueFashion Fund Awards in N.Y.C. in November 2015
Jim Spellman/WireImage
At the annual CFDA/VogueFashion Awards in 2015, Meghan posed with friend and fashion designer,Misha Nonoo. Of course, the star donned one of her pal’s creations: a metallic tuxedo-style minidress with a plunging neckline. She accessorized with a rectangular purse and black pointed heels.
Karwai Tang/WireImage
Meghan Markle at her engagement photocall with Prince Harry in London in November 2017
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle.Chris Jackson/Chris Jackson/Getty
In November 2017, Meghan and Harry made their official debut as anengaged coupleat Kensington Palace. Shewore a white wrap coatfrom Toronto designer Line the Label for the occasion.
Only minutes after the coat’s details were made public, Line the Label’s website crashed due to traffic. As a result, the brand renamed the coat “the Meghan” in her honor.
Meghan Markle in Nottingham, England, in December 2017
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle.Andy Stenning - WPA Pool/Getty
For Meghan and Harry’sfirst official outingas a couple, the future duchess kept things simple with a black turtleneck, a long khaki-colored skirt and black slouchy boots.
Meghan Markle and Prince Harry pose for engagement photos in December 2017
Alexi Lubomirski/REX/Shutterstock
Meghan dazzled in her and Harry’s officialengagement portraits, which were released in December 2017. She wore a glamorous blackRalph & Russo dresswith a ruffled skirt and a sheer bodice adorned with leaf embellishments.
Meghan Markle at Christmas Day church service in Norfolk, England, in December 2017
Chris Jackson/Getty
For her first Christmas with the royal family, Meghan stayed cozy in Club Monaco’s dark cherry Tay dress and a long, tan wrap coat from Sentaler. The wrap coat featured a wide collar and a fit-and-flare hem. She complemented the tan coat with brown accessories: suede over-the-knee goatskin leather boots from Stuart Weitzman and the Pixie bag from Chloé. Meghan also wore the Snowflake 18-karat white gold and diamond jacket earrings from Maison Birks.
Meghan Markle at a women’s empowerment reception in London in April 2018
Chris Jackson - WPA Pool/Getty
Meghan Markle at her wedding to Prince Harry in Windsor, England, in May 2018
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle.Jane Barlow - WPA Pool/Getty
According to a press release, Meghan’s wedding shoes were “based on a Givenchy refined pointed couture design made of a silk duchess satin.”
Meghan Markle and Prince Harry at their wedding reception in Windsor, England, in May 2018
Meghan Markle and Prince Harry.Steve Parsons - WPA Pool/Getty
Meghan Markle at King Charles III’s 70th birthday party in London in May 2018
DOMINIC LIPINSKI/AFP
Just days after their royal wedding, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex celebratedKing Charles' 70th birthday — which was also theirfirst outingas a married couple. Meghan looked the part in an elegant, pale pink ensemble from London-based label Goat Fashion (later renamed to Jane Atelier). The dress, which she wore with sheer stockings, featured a tailored bodice, a pencil skirt and silk chiffon for the yoke and sleeves.
Meghan Markle at the Trooping the Colour ceremony in London in June 2018
Anwar Hussein/WireImage
In a somewhat rebellious moment, Meghan attendedher first Trooping the Colourceremony wearing an off-the-shoulder Carolina Herrera dress. The short sleeves were a break in protocol, but Meghan still looked regal as ever in the blush ensemble and matching Philip Treacy hat.
Meghan Markle and Queen Elizabeth visit Cheshire, England, in June 2018
Meghan Markle at Royal Ascot day one in Ascot, England, in June 2018
Meghan Markle at Prince Louis' christening in London in July 2018
Dominic Lipinski - WPA Pool/Getty
Meghan Markle at Buckingham Palace in London in July 2018
One day afterPrince Louis' christening, the royal family attended a service to celebrate the Royal Air Force’s 100th birthday at Westminster Abbey. Meghan wore a navy blue,Audrey Hepburn-inspiredbespoke Dior dresswith a boatneck. She completed the ensemble with a Stephen Jones fascinator.
Meghan Markle in Dublin in July 2018
Geoff Pugh - WPA Pool/Getty
Pool/Samir Hussein/WireImage
Later that day, Meghan changed into ablack Givenchy pantsuit, marking her first official appearance sans skirt since marrying into the royal family. Along with her fitted black trousers and a matching blazer, Meghan wore a white shirt, a black belt and a pair of black pumps.
Meghan Markle at the Wimbledon Championships in London in July 2018
Meghan Markle at the Nelson Mandela Centenary Exhibition in London in July 2018
Back in London, Meghan and Harry visited an exhibit marking the birth of South African leader and Nobel Peace Prize winnerNelson Mandela. Meghan wore asleeveless trench dressfrom Canadian fashion label NONIE with a matching handbag and heels.
Meghan Markle at the Sentebale ISPS Handa Polo Cup in Windsor, England, in July 2018
Meghan Markle at The Royal Academy of Arts in London in September 2018
Meghan Markle at a reception in Melbourne, Australia, in October 2018
Samir Hussein/Samir Hussein/WireImage
Meghan Markle at the Australian Geographic Society Awards in Sydney in October 2018
Paul Edwards - Pool/Getty
Meghan Markle at the British Fashion Awards in London in December 2018
Jeff Spicer/BFC/Getty
Meghan Markle in Birkenhead, England, in January 2019
Meghan Markle in Rabat, Morocco, in February 2019
Tim Rooke/Pool/Samir Hussein/WireImage
Meghan Markle at a Commonwealth Day event in London in March 2019
Meghan Markle at the Commonwealth Day Service in London in March 2019
Meghan Markle and Prince Harry introduce their son, Archie, in Windsor, England, in May 2019
Harry, Meghan and Archie.Dominic Lipinski - WPA Pool/Getty
Meghan Markle at the European premiere ofThe Lion Kingin London in July 2019
Samir Hussein/WireImage
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex made theirred carpet debutat the European premiere of the live-actionLion King(wherethey metthe film’s starBeyoncé). Meghan wore a black Jason Wu dress with sheer sleeves and accessorized with Aquazzura heels and a Gucci clutch.
Meghan Markle in Windsor, England, in October 2019
Jeremy Selwyn - WPA Pool/Getty
Meghan Markle at Canada House in London in January 2020
Meghan kicked off 2020 with avisit to Canada Housein London, where she wore a tan Reiss coat over a brown turtleneck and brown satin skirt. She also wore a pair of brown heels and styled her hair into soft waves.
Meghan Markle at the Commonwealth Day Service at Westminster Abbey in London in March 2020
Dominic Lipinski/PA Images
Shortly after announcing their plans toleave royal life, Meghan and Harry made one of their final official royal appearances at the Commonwealth Day Service at Westminster Abbey. She wore agreen Emilia Wickstead dress, accessorizing with a matching fascinator from William Chambers, a purse from Gabriella Hearst and nude pumps from Aquazzura.
Meghan Markle at the Endeavour Fund Awards in London in March 2020
That same week, Meghan and Harry stepped out for the annual Endeavour Fund Awards in London. The Duchess of Sussex wore a Victoria Beckham fitted teal dress with Manolo Blahnik BB pumps as she huddled under an umbrella with Harry, a moment that would make forone of the couple’s most iconic photos together.
Meghan Markle at the Mountbatten Festival of Music in London in March 2020
At the Mountbatten Festival of Music, Meghan wore ared caped dressfrom British label Safiyaa. The occasion also marked her last evening event as a working member of the royal family.
“It was a moment that will go down in history,” Safiyaa’s founder, Daniela Karnuts, told PEOPLE. “It exuded power, femininity and elegance — it really emphasized her personality and what she stands for.”
Prince Harry, Meghan Markle and Oprah Winfrey.Joe Pugliese/Harpo Productions
During Meghan and Harry’s2021 interviewwithOprah Winfrey, she wore a black silk dress from Giorgio Armani. Britain’s Fashion Museum named the item its 2021dress of the year.
“It’s well known that members of the Royal family often use outfits to send a message through their choice of style, color or motif,” the museum said in a statement. “It was reported that the Duchess chose a dress with a lotus flower design because of the flower’s symbolic association with rebirth, self-regeneration and spiritual enlightenment, and its ability to flourish despite seemingly challenging conditions.”
Meghan Markle in N.Y.C. in September 2021
Gotham/GC Images
Meghan Markle in N.Y.C. in November 2021
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle.Theo Wargo/Getty
Meghan Markle at Queen Elizabeth’s Platinum Jubilee in London in June 2022
Meghan Markle at the Robert F. Kennedy Ripple of Hope Award Gala in N.Y.C. in December 2022
Mike Coppola/Getty
source: people.com
