On the 22nd May 2018, newlywed Meghan attended her first garden party at Buckingham Palace. She joined her husband Harry and her in-laws, Prince Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall.
The party is one of several celebrations planned this year to mark Prince Charles’ 70th birthday on November 14th.
The invitees were people connected with the 400+ charities, patronages, organisations and military affiliations supported by the heir to the throne.
Prince Charles used the garden party to thank his guests for their hard work over the years.
The garden party began with a lovely speech delivered by Prince Harry.
An excerpt from the speech:
His enthusiasm and energy are truly infectious; it has certainly inspired William and I to get involved in issues we care passionately about and do whatever we can to make a difference.
You can read the full speech on the royal.uk website here.
Harry and Meghan met with a number of guests during the garden party.
No doubt, many of the guests congratulated the couple on their wedding, which took place three days earlier.
(Missed the official photos being released? Click here to see them).
The garden party is the Duchess of Sussex’s first official engagement since exchanging nuptials with Prince Harry at St. George’s Chapel in the grounds of Windsor Castle on Saturday afternoon.
The couple reportedly chose to delay their honeymoon in order to show their commitment to work by carrying out several public engagements before jetting off.
[One] thing is for certain: Markle will be jumping right in to official royal duties and philanthropy work. The royal website was immediately updated with a bio for the Duchess following the wedding, highlighting her history of activism and charity commitments to organizations including One Young World, World Vision and UN Women. — [SOURCE]
Fans speculate that Meghan could visit the RHS Chelsea Flower Show this week. We know from her now-deleted Instagram-feed that the former actress loves flowers, especially peonies.
One theory: the Royals might invite Meghan’s mother Doria to the flower show before she flies back to California. (This wouldn’t be too unusual. Remember the Queen inviting the Middleton family on the Diamond Jubilee river pageant in 2012?)
Other rumours on the official engagements front include the possibility of a two-day visit to Dublin in June and a tour of New Zealand, Fiji and Tonga after the couple visit Sydney, Australia for the Invictus Games this October. According to the Daily Mail, Palace aides have confirmed the second half of this year will be “incredibly busy” for Harry and Meghan when it comes to official visits.
(Meghan during a visit to Belfast in March 2018)
It’s thought the newlywed couple will take their honeymoon later in the month and arrive back in time for Trooping the Colour on the 9th of June (however, this is unconfirmed). Of course, the location of the honeymoon is top secret, as the couple will want to relax away from the public eye. It’s speculated that the newlyweds will select one of the 53 Commonwealth countries for their break, possibly Namibia.
Meghan’s outfit at the garden party:
Let’s bring this article back into focus by looking at Meghan’s outfit. The new Duchess wore a dusky rose pink UPDATE: cream dress by British fashion label, GOAT. It’s the ‘Flavia‘ style. (Thanks to Innominate_93 on Twitter for identifying this dress so quickly.)
UPDATE: Initially, I presumed Meghan wore an off-the-rack version of the dress that looked lighter due to the intense London sunshine, however, GOAT discredited this. The company confirmed they custom-made the dress for Meghan. In a statement on Instagram, they wrote: “we are so proud to have been asked to create a custom made Flavia dress for HRH the Duchess of Sussex for Prince Charles’ 70th birthday in Buckingham Palace’s garden today.”
Some speculate that Meghan chose the lighter cream colour to better complement her skintone, while others believe it was to achieve a “bridal” feel as the event took place so close to her wedding.
The fit-and-flare dress features a silk-chiffon upper bodice, which is see-through on the déclotage and sleeves. The collar and cuffs feature a trim that is delicately frayed. As established above, Meghan wore a custom cream-coloured version of the dress. The dress in the shops is made from a dusky pink wool fabric.
Meghan’s version of the dress features a cream trim. If you’re buying the dress off-the-rack, the trim is a darker dusky pink (Noticed by my eagle-eyed friend, Michelle).
The dress is described on the company’s website as being “beautifully fluid and feminine”.
I’m certain Meghan’s new sister-in-law Kate will have introduced her to the brand. Kate has worn a number of dresses and coats from GOAT over the last few years. The brand is quite a staple in her closet. (Pictured below, Kate wearing the GOAT Eloise dress during the 2017 Place2Be Forum.
At the time of writing, the dress remains in stock at GOAT where it can be purchased for £590. It’s also available in black.
Meghan’s hat is by Irish milliner Philip Treacy. Treacy is based in London and provides hats to many of the Royals. (In fact, he provided 20 of the hats the stars wore to the Royal Wedding!) It appears that the hat is a bespoke piece, though it’s pretty close to Treacy’s OC 427 style, found here.
As you can see above, Meghan styled her hair in a chignon under the hat, giving her a perfectly polished look.
For the garden party, Meghan chose a lovely soft pink pump with a very modern twist: they feature a clear PVC upper section. They’re the “Siren” style by Tamara Mellon.
Mellon is is a British-born fashion designer with a fabulous pedigree. She is the former Chief Creative Officer and co-founder of Jimmy Choo. Although Mellon is British, her company is based in the USA. The shoes can be purchased at tamaramellon.com for $450 USD.
Meghan fans will have noticed something a little different about the Duchess’s look today. She chose to wear tights/hose.
Royal expert Victoria Arbiter explained why to INSIDER.
You never see a royal without their nude stockings. I would say that’s really the only hard, steadfast rule in terms of what the Queen requires.
Meghan added a little sparkle to her outfit with a silver-coloured bracelet. Unfortunately, nothing is currently known about the piece at the moment.
Meghan opted for a pair of earrings by French designer Vanessa Tugendhaft. The Rose-shaped earrings are made from silver rhodium and pavéd with diamonds. Thanks to What Meghan Wore for the ID.
Lastly, Meghan’s carrying her Wilbur and Gussie ‘Charlie’ clutch in an oyster-colour silk fabric. The bags, which are designed in London and made in Spain, cost £205.
Add your thoughts below:
What did you make of Meghan’s garden party debut? Did you love Meghan’s look or feel she’s toned-down her personal style for an engagement with her Royal in-laws? Feel free to discuss in the comment section below!
I LOVED it! Such a gorgeous color. I would expect her more laid back style on her future engagements to continue, but for more formal “royal” events, I like the direction she is going. There will be opportunities for both, as the Duchess of Cambridge has mastered in her time in the Royal Family, and I’m sure the Duchess of Sussex will also.
Yes, I think you’re right there. I must admit, I do love her laid-back style, her formal royal style will still be interesting to follow. BUT now the wedding is over, I think we’re all waiting for her first State Banquet…! OMG just think of the gown and the tiara heheehe.
Omg. I’m speechless. So beautiful, what an elegant outfit!
I thought it was very lovely, perfect outfit for a garden party, something I would wear myself in that event. She deff killed it, but the dress looked like a beidge then white dress, but other then that I would give the dress a thumbs up
I agree, I can see lots of ladies copying this look at events this summer. Perfect for weddings etc.