Two outfits. One designer. So who dressed Kate & Meghan last night?
A chic Meghan attends her first evening event at the same venue where Diana made her evening debut – and what a nightmare that turned out to be...
‘Five months before Meghan was born’ ‘Incredibly supportive’
MEGHAN Markle attended her first evening event as a royal-to-be last night – at the venue where a shy Lady Diana Spencer had done exactly the same thing in 1981.
Thirty- seven years on, Diana’s son Prince Harry and his fiancee were at the historic Goldsmiths’ Hall in the City of London at an awards ceremony for service personnel.
The hall was also the scene of Diana’s first public engagement with her fiance Prince Charles in March 1981, five months before Meghan was born.
It was a black-tie event in aid of the Royal Opera House and saw the princess-to-be turn heads – much to her embarrassment – in a low-cut Emanuel gown that exposed her cleavage as she stepped from her car.
Charles apparently hated it – not least because it was black and was thus a colour only suitable for those in mourning.
Meghan too wore black last night with a version of a man’s tuxedo teamed with a crisp white shirt with a bow by Tuxe costing £285 and named Boss.
Her Alexander McQueen suit cost £1,245 for the grain de poudre wool, satin-lined blazer and £575 for the matching trousers.
The choice of McQueen drew comparisons with the Duchess of Cambridge, who was also wearing the designer yesterday while on her official tour of Norway with Prince William.
Kate opted for a floating pastel kaftan-style dress with a jewelled neckline at a dinner held in their honour by the country’s king and queen.
Since they announced their engagement at the end of November, Harry and Meghan have embarked on a number of engagements designed to introduce Los Angeles-born Miss Markle, 36, to royal life.
Taking in London, Nottingham and Cardiff, the American has won over the crowds with her charm and sense of style.
Last night’s event saw the couple attend the annual Endeavour Fund Awards to celebrate the achievements of wounded, injured and sick servicemen and women who have taken part in remarkable sporting and adventure challenges over the past year.
Supported by The Royal Foundation of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and Prince Harry, the fund supports the ambitions of men and women to use challenges such as scuba diving, mountain climbing and dog sledging to help with their physical, psychological and social recovery and rehabilitation.
At a pre- ceremony reception Harry and Meghan chatted with Joanna Worsley, whose soldier husband Henry died in January 2016 while attempting to cross the Antarctic landmass, solo and unsupported, to raise money for the fund. He was only 30 miles from the finish when he lost his life.
The couple’s son Max said: ‘Prince Harry has been incredibly supportive since my father passed away. I know he would be delighted to see what he has inspired and hopefully, thorough this award, will go on to inspire.’
Meghan handed out the second award of the night, to the winner of the ‘ celebrating excellence’ category. Unfortunately she and her co-presenter were unable to find the list of nominees, leaving her giggling – much to the amusement of the audience and Harry.