On the 12th March 2018, Meghan Markle joined members of the Royal Family at Westminster Abbey in London for a multicultural, multi-faith service to mark Commonwealth Day, the annual celebration of the Commonwealth of Nations.
The Commonwealth of Nations is a voluntary association of 53 independent sovereign states, which is home to 2.4 billion citizens. Commonwealth Day is always celebrated on the second Monday in March.
Each year, the Commonwealth of Nations choose a theme to celebrate.
The 2018 theme is ‘Towards a Common Future’ –
[T]his year’s theme explores how the Commonwealth can address global challenges and work to create a better future for all citizens through sub-themes of sustainability, safety, prosperity and fairness. — TheCommonwealth.org
A video of the “fab four” (William, Kate, Meghan and Harry) arriving at the service:
The service contains a variety of different musical performances, prayers and readings to represent all of the religions and cultures from across the Commonwealth of Nations.
If you’d like to learn about the other performers and speakers, you can download the programme from the Westminster Abbey website here.
Following the service, Meghan met with schoolchildren who had travelled from all over the country the attend.
Meghan chatting with some of the schoolchildren:
The Commonwealth Service was Meghan’s first official engagement alongside the Queen and her most high-profile Royal occasion to date.
Meghan’s outfit:
For the Commonwealth Day Service, Meghan (mostly) opted for British designers. Her coat and dress were by London-based Amanda Wakeley.
The soon-to-be Royal chose the designer’s Cream Sculpted Tailoring Crombie coat. Described as “pristinely cut”, the knee-length coat is sleekly tailored and offers a relaxed fit. It features long sleeves and a belt that fastens at the waist. It is styled so the collar stands up.
Meghan wore Amanda Wakeley’s Springsteen dress in ‘Midnight Blue’ underneath the coat.
The Springsteen dress features a soft v-neckline, structural seams and a gold exposed zipper on the back. The bodice is lined with silk. In some photos of Meghan, you can catch a glimpse of the exposed zipper teeth:
The dress retailed for £495 GBP at AmandaWakeley.com before it sold out. If you like the dress, you’ll be pleased to know you can still purchase it in black.
Meghan wore a pair of coordinating pumps, the Manolo Blahnik BB pumps in blue suede.
The streamlined pumps feature an elegant pointed toe and a thin heel. Did you know the BB pumps are named after French movie star Bridgette Bardot? Now you do!
Like all of Manolo Blahnik’s shoes, the BB pumps are designed and made in Italy. In addition to the blue navy suede style worn by Meghan, they come in an assortment of heel heights, fabrics and colours. (Note: It’s thought Meghan wears the 4″ heels).
Meghan also owns the BB pumps in black. She first debuted them during a visit to Birmingham with Prince Harry:
Meghan’s clutch bag is by another British brand, Mulberry. She’s carrying the Darley style.
The clutch bag features Mulberry’s signature Postman’s Lock. It also comes with a detachable chain. The bag costs £550 (around $770 USD) and like the BB pumps, it comes in a variety of sizes, colours and fabrics. (Meghan carries the small size in “Bright Navy Cross Grain Leather”.)
Meghan’s beret-style hat is by British milliner, Stephen Jones.
Stephen Jones opened his first salon in London approximately 40 years ago. Since, he’s created hats for a number of notable people, including Princess Diana. The milliner also collaborates with fashion designers. Recently, he created headwear for the Mark Jacobs, Christian Dior and Alexander Wang runway shows at Fashion Week.
Meghan wore her Adina Reyter “Three Amigos” earrings for a second time (during public engagements).
The earrings are made from 14k yellow gold and feature three triangular diamonds. Adina Reyter is a Californian company, based in Los Angeles.
The $498 earrings (around £360) are currently sold out at adinareyter.com and shopbop.com. The designer says “more are on their way!”
I think she looks smashing! Lovely job on her first “official” engagement with the Queen.
Absolutely gorgeous! I adore the hat!!