If the royal tour of Oceania has shown different facets of the Duchess of Sussex’s fashion taste, one thing has remained consistent: Meghan made intelligent outfit choices throughout
In terms of ticking the diplomatic box, she waved the flag for local talent by wearing Australian designers Karen Gee and Dion Lee straight out of the gate. She nodded to the homegrown design stars of the place she will build a family with Prince Harry via Roksanda and Emilia Wickstead. And she threw in a mix of high street (Banana Republic) and high-end (Gucci) accessories to demonstrate good measure.
It was fitting, then, that she chose Givenchy for her final appointments on the mammoth 16-day tour, as she wore a dress by Clare Waight Keller, Givenchy’s artistic director, for her wedding to Price Harry in May this year. Her fate in the spotlight was sealed in that haute couture silk cady gown with its graphic open bateau neckline.
It is also significant that a bespoke navy crew-neck sweater and pleated Givenchy skirt is what Meghan chose for her last day greeting crowds that had queued for hours to meet the royal couple.
When creating her wedding gown with Waight Keller, the duo collaborated on a five metre-long silk tulle veil that represented the flora of each Commonwealth country. It was representative of her desire to present herself as a modern princess of the people.
Yes, it is possible to over-speculate and read into every subtle fashion accent, but the royal family has always represented layers of symbolism and, make no mistake, everything Meghan wears will be considered to the letter to continue this tradition.
The past 16 days has only emphasised this further.
