Meghan Markle's Stunning Pregnancy Style
On Oct. 15, 2018, Meghan Markle announced via Kensington Palace that she was pregnant — just five months after marrying into the royal family — and was expecting her first child with new husband Prince Harry. While the announcement wasn't exactly shocking, it was something that made everyone smile. There were immediately a lot of questions to answer: When was the baby due? Did they have name ideas already? And, important in its own right, what was Markle's maternity style going to be like?
Since she started dating Harry, Markle has become a regular in the fashion pages, often lauded for her excellent sense of style and her ability to look classic and chic while, every once in a while, breaking royal protocol. Fans were anxious to see how Markle would incorporate her fashion sense into maternity wear, and, of course, the Duchess of Sussex did not disappoint. Throughout her pregnancy, Markle has consistently shown off some beautiful, and sometimes even practical, looks. Below are a few of our favorites.
She looked fabulous in floral
In December 2018, Markle wasn't too far along in her pregnancy yet, but she knew how to dress her growing baby bump. During a visit to the residents at Brinsworth House, which is a nursing home for people who have worked in entertainment, Town & Country reported that Markle wore a beautiful floral dress by Brock Collection. She kept warm by layering with a gray coat by Soia and Kyo, and she accessorized with a nude clutch and nude heels.
When asked how she was feeling that day, Markle replied, "Very good," before admitting, "I'm feeling very pregnant today." She also spent the day joining in on some activities with the residents and showing off her calligraphy skills. Brinsworth House activities coordinator Jay Crank told Town & Country, "She said she used to teach calligraphy. She chose her bauble shape and produced a beautiful work of art." Crank went on, "She was so natural and so wonderful to be with. She can join our class any time. We haven't done any calligraphy here before but I think she's inspired us. She is a wonderful person, so genuine."
She went with a Victoria Beckham design for Christmas
For the holidays, Meghan Markle experimented with some very British fashion. According to Page Six, she attended Christmas events at the Church of St. Mary Magdalene in Sandringham with Prince Harry, Prince William, Kate Middleton, and other members of the royal family. Wearing a chic dark look, Markle wore a navy dress that reached her calves by Victoria Beckham, along with a coordinating jacket, a pair of leather boots, and a small purse, all of which were also designed by Beckham. Markle also added a fascinator hat by Awon Golding Millinery and a dainty necklace from Jennifer Meyer.
It was a bit of a surprise, since Markle had previously stated that she didn't think she could pull off Beckham's designs. She once told Glamour UK, "What I'm starting to learn is, even though things look amazing on the hanger, it doesn't mean they're going to look amazing on me. For example, I love Victoria Beckham dresses, but I don't have the long torso to support that silhouette." Maybe her baby bump helped change her mind!
Her very first maternity dress
On Jan. 10, 2019, Markle stepped out in her very first maternity dress. No, it wasn't the first time she had showed off her baby bump, but it was the first time she wore an item that was specifically made for expecting mothers. According to Page Six, Markle visited Smart Works, an organization that helps unemployed women obtain free clothing and receive training they can apply to job interviews. She was wearing the "Eliza" dress by Hatch, a celebrity-favorite maternity clothing brand, that featured a midi-length with short sleeves. Keeping things simple and classic, Markle added a long khaki coat by Oscar de la Renta, a pair of Gianvito Rossi pumps with a cow print and clear PVC panels (so trendy!), and a Victoria Beckham "Vanity Box" leather bag. Not to mention a pair of Kimai earrings and a Missoma ring. Markle clearly knows how to accessorize!
Back in October 2018, designer Cecile Reinaud, founder of maternity brand Séraphine, theorized to Page Six Style, "She has been seen very much in this midi length which is very much in fashion, and I'm not sure this is flattering when you're pregnant. So I think we may see her shortening the hemline from what we've seen her in pre-pregnancy." Guess Reinaud was wrong, because it doesn't seem like Markle cares to say goodbye to midi-dresses anytime soon.
One outfit cost more than $4,000
It's not that common to see Markle wearing bright colors, but, when she does, she always makes a good impression — this look from early January 2019 makes for one great example. For their first official joint engagement of 2019, Markle wore what Fox News reported to be $4,400 worth of clothing and accessories. Markle and Harry went to the town of Birkenhead, Merseyside to visit local charitable groups, like Tomorrow's Women Wirral and Hive Wirral Youth Zone. The Duchess wore a bright red Sentaler wrap coat and a long purple dress by Babaton for Aritzia. She added red Stuart Weitzman heels and a brown Gabriela Hearst bag, according to The Sun.
One woman who was there told People, "I asked her how she was coping on those high heels. She said, 'One day at a time!'" Another bystander, Carla Gandy from Wallasey, told People that Markle said she was six months along in her pregnancy and "tapped her tummy."
An H&M dress made it into her wardrobe
It's not surprising that most of Markle's wardrobe is made up of extremely expensive designer clothing items — after all, she is a member of the British royal family! But in mid-January, the duchess surprised everyone by wearing an affordable H&M dress to an event. Marie Claire reported that she wore a knit H&M dress that cost only $35 when she went to visit The Mayhew, an animal welfare charity (Markle is a supporter of animal rights and has been for most of her public life).
Markle paired the cream-colored turtleneck dress with a beige coat and matching beige heels from Paul Andrew. While her dress was from H&M's maternity section, the coat was a little more high-end, designed by Armani. She added a Stella McCartney "Falabella" tote bag to complete the monochromatic outfit. The look was a reminder that it's totally possible to create a chic look by mixing higher-end and lower-end pieces.
She opted for sequins for the circus
The same day Markle wore her $35 H&M dress, she also opted for a much more dressed-up, much more expensive look. When Markle and Harry attended the premiere of Cirque du Soleil's Totem show that benefited Prince Harry's charity Sentebale (a charity that supports young people in Africa who are affected by HIV), she wore over $6,000 worth of clothing and accessories, Page Six reported. Markle looked beautiful in a sequined Roland Mouret gown, which she paired with black Stuart Weitzman "Nudist" sandals, a satin clutch by Givenchy, and a gold bracelet. Doesn't it make you want to get dressed up for the circus too?
The most special thing about her outfit? The gold bracelet reportedly belonged to Prince Harry's mother, the late Princess Diana. Town & Country reported that Diana had worn the bracelet numerous times. It's not the first time Markle has worn Diana's jewelry — she wore the bracelet to several other events previously, and she's also worn a pair of Diana's earrings.
She was just peachy at the National Theatre
At the end of January, Markle opted for yet another perfectly put-together monochromatic look, this one a light peachy-pink instead of white or cream (pretty close in color, though!). According to Town & Country, Markle went to the National Theatre for her first visit after becoming a patron wearing a peach dress by Brandon Maxwell and a matching peach blazer by the same designer. She paired the outfit with a CH Carolina Herrera Metropolitan bag and lace-up Aquazurra heels. The visit was a chance for Markle to get to know the theater's work as well as their employees after Queen Elizabeth, who had been the National Theatre's patron for 45 years, passed the title down to Markle.
And if you've ever wondered why Markle always seems to have her hair in a low bun, Troy Alexandros from Salon64, a hair salon in Soho, has a theory. The hairstylist told Express that Markle's natural hair is very curly, but "after years of Brazilian blowdry sessions," a person's hair can become straighter, though it'd cause a curlier root. He thinks the sleek buns might be to hide the roots. Maybe!
She donned a classic black and white ensemble
In early February, Markle went out for the night in London looking perfectly put together in a black and white ensemble. As Cosmopolitan reported, she headed to the Endeavour Fund Awards with Prince Harry, which celebrated the achievements of "wounded, injured, and sick military personnel." She wore a white button-down Givenchy shirt with a long black Givenchy skirt with a knee-high slit. The look was designed by Clare Waight Keller for Givenchy, one of Markle's favorite designers. With the shirt tucked into the skirt, Markle was able to show off her growing baby bump in the most stylish way. She also paired the outfit with a pair of interesting black and gold Aquazurra mules.
As Town & Country pointed out, it seemed like Markle was channeling the look of '90s style icon Carolyn Bessette, who wore a very similar look in March 1999. She paired a classic white button-down with a black maxi skirt when heading to a fundraising event with her husband, John F. Kennedy Jr.
She looked great in all white for a night out
Later in February, Meghan Markle stepped out in a pretty classic look that seems to be a go-to for her: a minimalist, monochromatic outfit with a low, sleek chignon. As Town & Country reported, she and Prince Harry attended a performance of the play The Wider Earth to support the Queen's Commonwealth Trust, of which Harry is the president. Markle wore a white Calvin Klein dress and a white Amanda Wakeley coat for the performance, and she paired the look with a small green suede bag.
This outfit might seem familiar. Not only is it quite similar to the all-beige look she wore with her $35 H&M dress (it's also a turtleneck knit dress with a coat over it), but, as Cosmopolitan pointed out, it's very similar to an outfit she wore in Australia during her tour of the country. It definitely seems like the Duchess has a look that she knows works for her.
Markle stunned in a blue Carolina Herrera dress in Rabat
During a February royal tour of Morocco with Prince Harry by her side, Meghan Markle showed off several enviable outfits. But one of the best, by far, had to be a royal blue Carolina Herrera dress she wore to meet King Mohammed VI in Rabat, according to Town & Country. Of their meeting, Kensington Palace said, "Their Royal Highnesses presented letters from Her Majesty The Queen to The King."
Markle's blue printed gown seemed perfectly suited for the occasion and the setting, and she paired it with minimalist accessories: a small nude clutch and a pair of nude heels. It stood out because it was different than what Markle usually wears — she typically opts for form-fitting dresses and more neutral colors. As Cosmopolitan pointed out, Markle paired the stunning dress with a special piece of jewelry: the Cartier earrings she wore on her wedding day. Town & Country noted that the blue dress was Markle's third outfit of that day, having previously started off with a more casual look.
She looked beautiful in bespoke Dior in Morocco
Markle was kept very busy during her three-day trip to Morocco, but she made time to get really dressed up one night. According to Harper's Bazaar, Markle went to a special reception hosted by the British Ambassador to Morocco wearing a beautiful cream-colored bespoke Dior gown. The event was a chance for Markle and Harry to meet "influential Moroccan women, young entrepreneurs, and disabled athletes," so we can only imagine she wanted to make a great impression.
Markle paired the stunning gown with Birks Snowflake earrings and a custom Dior clutch. She kept her hair in a low, sleek bun. Harry, meanwhile, wore a navy suit. The Cut reported that the two were greeted into Ambassador Thomas Reilly's home in Rabat with a traditional rosewater greeting and a bouquet of flowers from his daughters. Markle spent the night talking to young business-minded women, while her husband talked to military representatives most of the time.
Markle pulled off heeled boots in the Moroccan mud
Not many of us would risk walking through mud and dirt in a pair of expensive heeled boots (especially when pregnant!), but Meghan Markle did exactly that during her trip to Morocco. On the last day of her trip to the country, Marie Claire reported that she and Prince Harry went to the Royal Moroccan Equestrian Club Dar Essalam, which is where "children with disabilities are supported through special equine therapy." Considering the trip was all about horses, Markle kept things appropriately casual. She paired a long-sleeved striped Breton top with black skinny jeans, layering the outfit with a khaki jacket from J.Crew and wearing a simple ponytail.
Markle really let her shoes do all the work here: She wore a pair of black suede heeled Stuart Weitzman Brooks boots, which have a casual slouchy shape... and a four-inch heel. The shoes immediately kicked her outfit up a notch, keeping it from looking too casual. We can appreciate her bravery with this footwear choice!