Meghan: Fashionista facing a royal makeover
london — Glamorous and elegant, Meghan Markle is set to freshen up the British royal family dress code, while tailoring her outfits to suit her new role.
As she prepares to wed Prince Harry on May 19, the US former television actress is unlikely to be seen again in ripped jeans, hotpants or a plunging neckline.
As a sign of her new responsibilities, the 36-year-old has already closed her Instagram account, where she often posed in the sexy or dishevelled outfits befitting a TV celebrity — but not necessarily a royal spouse.
In tying the knot with Queen Elizabeth II’s grandson, she is also marrying into an institution where age-old traditions govern virtually all aspects of the royals’ lives — including the clothes they wear.
“Royal dress codes are very traditional, especially when the family member is carrying out royal duties,” said Grant Harrold, a former butler in the House of Windsor.
The etiquette expert, who used to work for heir to the throne Prince Charles and his sons Princes William and Harry, said Markle could follow the example set by William’s wife, the former Kate Middleton.
“As we have seen with the Duchess of Cambridge, hats are part of the royal dress code and it is likely that we will see Meghan Markle wearing hats more often,” he said.
The royal newcomer will have to get used to wearing neutral-coloured tights, ditch any eccentric nail varnish and watch the hemlines.
“The outfits are more of a personal decision, but dresses should always be the correct length of on or below the knee, and never above,” said Harrold. The makeover is already under way.
At Harry’s side at public events since their engagement was announced in November, her style has been one of refined elegance: long dresses, turtlenecks, classic coats and unflashy colours.
There have been some exceptions: black jeans here, bare legs there, but hardly enough to trigger a palace revolution. After all, Markle has not yet married into “the firm” — as royals call the family in private — and will still be learning the ropes as she goes along.
A keen fashionista, Markle has long cultivated a casual Californian look that is a nod to her Los Angeles upbringing: comfortable in shorts and flip-flops. —