Revealed: How Meghan Markle spent a modest £4,000 on her royal tour wardrobe – and almost HALF her pieces had been worn before
- The Duchess of Sussex, 38, opted for a low-key wardrobe this royal tour
- Meghan wore largely repeated items and avoided any big designer names
- Contrasts from her previous royal tour, where she wore lavish couture gowns
The Duchess of Sussex dazzled in diamonds and bespoke designer gowns when she visited Australia, New Zealand, Tonga and Fiji with husband Prince Harry last autumn.
But Meghan, 38, took a decidedly more low-key approach for her public engagements in Cape Town and Johannesburg on their most recent tour, which came to an end today.
Indeed the royal spent just over £4,100 on new wardrobe items for the 10-day visit. While it is an eye-watering amount for any normal person, it is just a fraction of the estimated £118,000 she spent on outfits for her last royal tour – and decidedly modest for a royal by any standard.
Part of this is due to the fact that Prince Harry, 35, and Meghan decided not to include any formal evening engagements in their schedule, thus rendering any expensive black tie attire unnecessary. A single Oscar de la Renta gown worn on the last royal tour cost an estimated £10,000, others came in at roughly £1,000.
The other driving force is understood to be the Sussexes’ wish for this royal tour to be more ‘low key’ than their last, with Meghan understood to have deliberately chosen more casual looks in the hope the focus would remain on the causes highlighted by their carefully chosen engagements.
Meghan, 38, took a decidedly more low-key approach for her public engagements in Cape Town and Johannesburg on the royal South Africa tour, which came to an end today
Speaking to Femail previously, etiquette expert William Hanson said: ‘It is understandable that Their Royal Highnesses want the press attention to focus on the issues and causes that they are there to champion rather than the more superficial aspects of royal life – as often happens on royal tours.
‘There is also a larger amount of poverty in South Africa and so to arrive wearing expensive designers and high fashion may be somewhat jarring.’
The Duchess sent this message loud and clear on the first day of the tour when she arrived at a Cape Town township in a £69 wrap dress by a Malawian designer and a pair of simple wedges she had worn previously.
Notably absent was her glittering engagement ring, thought to be worth as much as £140,000, which was replaced by a far more discreet £200 turquoise band by celebrity jeweller Jennifer Meyer.
Meghan also relied heavily on outfits she has worn on previous royal engagements. Roughly half of the pieces worn on the tour had already been seen.
DAY 1: MONDAY 23 SEPTEMBER, CAPE TOWN
ARRIVING IN CAPE TOWN
Casual luxury: The Duchess of Sussex sported a comfortable Cuyana wool coat and elegant slingback flats as she arrived in Cape Town with the Duke of Sussex and son Archie. Meghan, 38, spent a modest £4,000 on new items for her wardrobe for the 10-day royal tour
Coat: Cuyana Wool Cashmere Short Wrap Coat, £280
Shoes: Everlane The Editor Slingbacks, £129
VISIT TO NYANGA TOWNSHIP
Monochrome magic: A black and white wrap dress from Malawian designer Mayamiko proved the perfect choice for a visit to a Cape Town township with husband Prince Harry
Dress: Dalitso Maxi Wrap Dress by Mayamiko, £69
Shoes: Castaner Carina Espadrilles, £80 (WORN PREVIOUSLY)
Necklace: Alemdara Altan necklace, £450
Bracelet: Justice Desk beaded bracelet (GIFT AT EVENT, RRP R50, £2)
Earrings: Jennifer Meyer Diamond and turquoise studs, £483 ($600)
Ring: Jennifer Meyer Turquoise Marquise ring, £200 ($250)
VISIT TO DISTRICT SIX MUSEUM
Royal tour favourite: The Duchess of Sussex brought a splash of colour to proceedings in this vibrant blue dress, which was first seen on the couple’s last royal tour in the autumn of 2018
Dress: Veronica Beard ‘Cary’ Dress, £525 (WORN PREVIOUSLY)
Shoes: Castaner Carina Espadrilles, £80 (AS ABOVE)
Ring: Jennifer Meyer Turquoise Marquise ring, £200 ($250) (AS ABOVE)
Earrings: Flora Leaf Earrings by Nina Bosch, £21 (R400)
DAY 2: TUESDAY 24 SEPTEMBER, CAPE TOWN
VISIT TO WAVES FOR CHANGE
Keeping it casual: A fail-safe combination of jeans, a loose blouse and practical flat shoes was the order of the day for Meghan as she joined Prince Harry for engagements at the beach
Jacket: Madewell jean jacket, £110 (WORN PREVIOUSLY)
Shirt: J. Crew Perfect Shirt in Irish Linen, approx. £78 (WORN PREVIOUSLY)
Jeans: Mother ‘The Looker’ jeans, £157 ($196) (WORN PREVIOUSLY)
Bag: Madewell Canvas Medium Transport Tote, £62.52
Shoes: Brother Vellies Huaraches Flats, £156 (WORN PREVIOUSLY)
Sunglasses: Le Specs Bandwagon Sunglasses, £52 (WORN PREVIOUSLY)
Earrings: Jennifer Meyer Diamond and turquoise studs, £483 ($600) (AS ABOVE)
Ring: Jennifer Meyer Turquoise Marquise ring, £200 ($250) (AS ABOVE)
Necklace: Alemdara Altan necklace, £450 (AS ABOVE)
VISIT TO AUWAL MOSQUE AND BO KAAP
Fashion first: The Duchess of Sussex wore a headscarf in public for the first time for the visit to Auwal Mosque. Prince Harry looked dapper in a light grey suit and soft blue shirt
Dress: Staud Millie Dress, £260 ($325)
Headscarf: Cuyana Lightweight Cashmere Scarf £155 ($190)
Shoes: Sam Edelman Sally Flat, approx. £80
Ring: Jennifer Meyer Turquoise Marquise ring, £200 ($250) (AS ABOVE)
Earrings: Jennifer Meyer Diamond and turquoise studs, £483 ($600) (AS ABOVE)
Necklace: Alemdara Altan necklace, £450 (AS ABOVE)
EVENING AT THE HIGH COMMISSION
Stylish in stripes: The Duchess of Sussex plumped for a maxi dress by Australian designer Martin Grant for an evening engagement. Meghan first wore the dress in Australia last year
Dress: Martin Grant Striped Maxi Dress, £880 (WORN PREVIOUSLY)
Shoes: TBC
Earrings: Flora Leaf Earrings by Nina Bosch, £21 (R400) (AS ABOVE)
Ring: Jennifer Meyer Turquoise Marquise ring, £200 ($250) (AS ABOVE)
DAY 3: WEDNESDAY 25 SEPTEMBER, CAPE TOWN
MEETING ARCHBISHOP DESMOND TUTU
High street hero: The Duchess of Sussex chose a dress from favourite Canadian brand Club Monaco as she joined the Duke of Sussex to introduce son Archie to Archbishop Desmond Tutu
Dress: Club Monaco wrap dress, £370
Shoes: Manolo Blahnik BB pump in navy suede, £471 (WORN PREVIOUSLY)
Earrings: Jennifer Meyer Diamond and turquoise studs, £483 ($600) (AS ABOVE)
Ring: Jennifer Meyer Turquoise Marquise ring, £200 ($250) (AS ABOVE)
VISIT TO WOMEN’S ENTREPRENEUR EVENT AT WOODSTOCK EXCHANGE & MOTHERS TO MOTHERS HIV CHARITY
One-piece wonder: This Evelane jumpsuit was first glimpsed in photos printed in Meghan’s edition of British Vogue but had its first proper outing in South Africa
Jumpsuit: Evelane black woven jumpsuit, £100 (WORN PREVIOUSLY)
Shoes: Manolo Blahnik BB pump in black suede, £471 (WORN PREVIOUSLY)
Bracelet: Zofia Day Diamond Cuff Bracelet , £1,000 (WORN PREVIOUSLY)
Earrings: GAS Bijoux drop earrings, £172 (WORN PREVIOUSLY)
Ring: Jennifer Meyer Turquoise Marquise ring, £200 ($250) (AS ABOVE)
DAY 4: THURSDAY 26 SEPTEMBER, CAPE TOWN
PRIVATE BREAKFAST MEETING WITH WOMEN LEADERS
A boost for her BFF: The Duchess of Sussex chose a tank top from friend Misha Nonoo’s label for her private breakfast meeting with female leaders in Cape Town last week
Top: Misha Nonoo Boyfriend 2.0 Tank Top in Black, £66
Skirt: J. Crew ‘Flare’ Sweater Skirt, £145
Shoes: Manolo Blahnik BB pump in black suede, £471 (AS ABOVE)
Ring: Jennifer Meyer Turquoise Marquise ring, £200 ($250) (AS ABOVE)
DAY 6: SATURDAY 28 SEPTEMBER, CAPE TOWN
PRIVATE VISIT TO MEMORIAL OF MURDERED STUDENT UYINENE MRWETYAN
Dressed-down Duchess: Meghan wore jeans with a blouse from go-to brand Madewell as she paid a visit to the post office where student Uyinene Mrwetyana was murdered in July
Top: Madewell Embroidered Strap ‘Swing’ Top, £64
Jeans: DL1961 ‘Emma’ Blue Skinny Jeans, £137
DEPARTING CAPE TOWN TO JOHANNESBURG WITH ARCHIE
In transit: The Duchess of Cambridge kept her look simple in a white shirt, jeans and flat shoes as she carried Archie through Cape Town airport to board their flight to Johannesburg
Shirt: J. Crew Perfect Shirt in Irish Linen, approx. £78 (AS ABOVE)
Jeans: DL1961 ‘Emma’ Blue Skinny Jeans, £137 (AS ABOVE)
Shoes: Birdies ‘Blackbird’ Slippers, £77 ($95) (WORN PREVIOUSLY)
DAY 7: SUNDAY 29 SEPTEMBER, JOHANNESBURG
SKYPE CALL TO PRINCE HARRY’S VISIT TO NALIKULE COLLEGE, MALAWI
Special message: Meghan re-wore a Lisa Marie Fernandez dress that she was first seen in at the polo this summer for a Skype meeting with schoolchildren in Malawi
Dress: Lisa Marie Fernandez Rosetta dress, £545 (WORN PREVIOUSLY)
DAY 8: MONDAY 30 SEPTEMBER, JOHANNESBURG
VISIT TO VICTORIA YARDS STUDIOS
Contrasting colours: A pair of vibrant red-orange flats proved the perfect counterpoint to the classic navy of Meghan Markle’s navy shirt dress for this outing to a creative hub
Dress: Aritzia Wilfred Shirt Dress, £90 (CAD$148)
Shoes: Everlane The Editor Slingbacks in Persimmon, £129
Scarf: Cuyana Lightweight Cashmere Scarf in black, £155
Earrings: Pichulik Magi earrings, £46
DAY 9: TUESDAY 1 OCTOBER, JOHANNESBURG
VISIT TO THE UNIVERSITY OF JOHANNESBURG
Natural beauty: The Duchess of Sussex returned to one of her favourite styles – the trench dress – for this outing to the University of Johannesburg on Tuesday morning
Dress: Banana Republic Double-Breasted Trench Dress, £95
Shoes: Stuart Weitzman Legend Pumps in nude, £360 (WORN PREVIOUSLY)
Bracelet: Alemdara Handan Bracelet, £775 (WORN PREVIOUSLY)
Ring: Jennifer Meyer Turquoise Marquise ring, £200 ($250) (AS ABOVE)
VISIT TO ACTIONAID
Gorgeous in green: It was a quick change into another tailored dress by Canadian designer Room 502 for the Duchess of Sussex’s afternoon engagement at ActionAid in Johannesburg
Dress: Room 502 Stephanie dress, £372
Shoes: Manolo Blahnik BB pump in black suede, £471 (AS ABOVE)
Bracelet: Alemdara Handan Bracelet, £775 (AS ABOVE)
Earrings: Pichulik Labyrinth earrings, £98
Ring: Jennifer Meyer Turquoise Marquise ring, £200 ($250) (AS ABOVE)
DAY 10: WEDNESDAY 2 OCTOBER, JOHANNESBURG
ENGAGEMENTS IN JOHANNESBURG
Crisp yet casual: The Duchess of Sussex looked beautiful and breezy in this white shirt dress, although the designer is not known. She wore the frock with a pair of favourite nude heels
Dress: Hannah Lavery Shirt Dress, approx. £100
Shoes: Stuart Weitzman Legend Pumps in nude, £360 (AS ABOVE)
Bracelet: Gift from schoolchildren
Earrings: Madewell Stone & Tassel Earrings, £18
Ring: Jennifer Meyer Turquoise Marquise ring, £200 ($250) (AS ABOVE)
MEETING WITH GRACA MACHEL & VISIT TO THE BRITISH HIGH COMMISSIONER’S RESIDENCE
Special meaning: The Duchess kept on her trusty pumps but changed her dress for her afternoon meeting Garca Machel and a visit to the British High Commisioner’s Residence
Dress: House of Nonie dress, price unknown (WORN PREVIOUSLY)
Shoes: Stuart Weitzman Legend Pumps in nude, £360 (AS ABOVE)
Earrings: Jennifer Meyer Diamond and turquoise studs, £483 ($600) (AS ABOVE)
Ring: Jennifer Meyer Turquoise Marquise ring, £200 ($250) (AS ABOVE)
Bracelet: Alemdara Handan Bracelet, £775 (AS ABOVE)
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