Ever since a pleased-as-punch Prince Harry introduced Meghan Markle to the world in September 2017, royal fashion devotees have tracked her every sartorial move.
A reigning muse of two nations, the Duchess of Sussex’s pulling power has shown no signs of slowing down ever since.
WATCH BELOW: Moment Prince Harry Asks Bob Iger To Give Meghan A Voiceover Job
From her penchant for Strathberry arm candies to a rather covetable collection of Sentaler coats, every item she dons garners sell-out status within a mere matter of minutes courtesy of the industry-coined ‘Meghan Effect’.
But with news that the Duke and Duchess of Sussex will “step back” from their royal duties in UK spring 2020, what does this mean for Meghan’s fashion history book-worthy wardrobe?
Who will pay for the Duchess of Sussex’s post-royal wardrobe?
As part of their plans to “become financially independent”, the Sussexes will no longer receive public funding for upcoming duties and will repay the Sovereign Grant expenditure for the refurbishment of UK residence, Frogmore Cottage.
The upheaval is unlikely to largely affect the Duchess of Sussex’s wardrobe, as the couple have been footing the Kensington Palace bill ever since she married into the Windsor clan.
Meghan’s newfound closet reportedly weighed in at £944,000 with approximately £478,920 spent on her maternity clothing alone – that’s roughly £6,385 per outfit.
Harry and Meghan paid for her items with steady income from Prince Charles’ private Duchy of Cornwall estate, which the Cambridges also dip into, which they will continue to receive funding from after stepping down.
Interestingly, royal protocol currently prohibits the Duchess of Sussex from accepting free garments from brands. Instead, royal assistants such as the Duchess of Cambridge’s right-hand woman, Natasha Archer, call in several outfit options from chosen labels before returning the ones that didn’t make the cut and paying for the final choice.
But this could change once she no longer carries out formal engagements on behalf of the Queen with the option for Meghan to wear items sent to her by fashion brands opening up.
How will the Duchess of Sussex’s wardrobe change once she steps down?
As she swapped the Hollywood hills for life behind the Kensington Palace gates by marrying Prince Harry, Meghan’s style transformation happened, quite literally, overnight.
Gone was her trademark messy bun in favour of regal waves while she left her cross-body bags at home and carried race-ready clutches in front of the cameras.
The 38-year-old’s decision to step down from her role within the royal family could well see her hang up her regal attire just as quickly as she adopted it, notes Prince Charles’ former butler Grant Harrold.
“We’ve recently seen Meghan visit two charitable organisations in Vancouver wearing a much more casual ensemble than what we’ve seen her wear during her tenure as a Duchess,” editor of Meghan’s Mirror, Christine Ross, tells marie claire Australia.
“Jeans, weatherproof boots and an old favourite sweater portrays a much different persona that her bespoke Givenchy coats and dresses. Her new role – which is much less official and formal – might be represented in a new down-to-earth wardrobe.”
Although there was never any written fashion protocol for Meghan to adhere to, it was expected of her to represent the Queen on each engagement.
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“Meghan often attended formal church events, days at the races and diplomatic events that required a certain level of dress,” Ross continues. “She might choose to step away from those particular events in her new role and take on a more casual approach to her fashion choices from now on.”
From emptying her tights drawer to embracing colour once again, here’s how we think the Duchess of Sussex’s wardrobe might chance once she steps down from her royal duties.
No more tights
When the Duchess of Sussex stepped out for Prince Charles’ 50th birthday celebrations just three days after wedding Prince Harry, the former actress made it clear that she had become one of The Firm.
Speaking through sartorial means, Meghan surprised fans by how quickly she had read the royal fashion rule book, as she stepped out in a powder pink dress by the Duchess of Cambridge’s go-to label Goat.
A matching hat by Buckingham Palace-approved designer Philip Treacy and – gasp – pink tights completed the ensemble, a look which swiftly divided the internet.
With confirmation that the couple will no longer carry out royal duties, this includes attending military appointments, it is likely that Meghan will not be photographed in formal clothing as often.
This could spell the end of those pink tights.
No more formal hats
With attendance at formal occasions on behalf of the royal family uncertain, it’s not yet known whether or not we will see the couple at historic events such as Trooping the Colour.
Although a fascinator would still prove appropriate at a regal wedding, Meghan’s growing collection of Philip Treacy hats may begin to slow down.
A more colourful closet
One of the most noticeable differences between Meghan’s pre and post-wedding wardrobe is the shift in colour palette.
Within the first five months of marriage alone, the Duchess of Sussex reportedly wore a grand total of 21 outfits – six of which were all-black while a further five engagements saw her wear neutral hues.
From ensuring that the attention is firmly fixed on Her Majesty to giving the public a chance to shine at events such as the WellChild Awards, where she made her first major solo outing, there are several reasons why Meghan regularly sticks to all-black suits and neutral shades.
Further demonstrating the telling power of her garbs, the outfit the Duchess of Sussex’s wore just days before the couple announced their resignation as senior royals roles spoke volumes.
Demonstrating how to tackle tonal dressing this season, Meghan arrived at Canada House in London wearing a camel-hued Reiss coat with a Massimo Dutti knit and matching satin midi skirt.
“Brown is a sense of groundedness,” fashion psychologist, Dawnn Karen, explains. “Psychologically, when someone is wearing brown, they are more connected to the earth – their feet are planted on solid ground.”
“I imagine that just before they made the announcement regarding stepping down, that Meghan was feeling exactly that way,” she continues. “She was feeling at peace about what was about to take place.”
But with her royal schedule predicted to slow down over the next few months, the former Suits star may well begin to embrace a brighter colour palette.
“Regarding their announcement, it’s imperative that Meghan is careful in her sartorial choices,” Karen continues. “That means adhering to the conservativeness of the royal family’s rules while also enjoying the modernity of American attire. In all situations, she will have to be aware of cultural sensitivities. How well she will do this will be indicated through her fashion.”
Ever since a pleased-as-punch Prince Harry introduced Meghan Markle to the world in September 2017, royal fashion devotees have tracked her every sartorial move.
A reigning muse of two nations, the Duchess of Sussex’s pulling power has shown no signs of slowing down ever since.
WATCH BELOW: Moment Prince Harry Asks Bob Iger To Give Meghan A Voiceover Job
Ever since a pleased-as-punch Prince Harry introduced Meghan Markle to the world in September 2017, royal fashion devotees have tracked her every sartorial move.
A reigning muse of two nations, the Duchess of Sussex’s pulling power has shown no signs of slowing down ever since.
WATCH BELOW: Moment Prince Harry Asks Bob Iger To Give Meghan A Voiceover Job
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