WHY SHE LOVES HER BAGS TO BE BRITISH
MEGHAN’S fascination with footwear is matched only by her obsession with bags and her expertise in choosing the right tote, holdall or clutch to put the perfect finishing touch to an outfit.
Tellingly, she chose to take a bag from Scottish brand Strathberry on one of her first official trips with Harry: here was Harry’s American-born fiancee declaring her love for the UK.
Strathberry isn’t the only British brand Meghan has championed. Visiting Cardiff in January, she toted a £295 green bag (pictured far left) by DeMellier London, an upmarket brand which funds vaccines for African children after every purchase.
More recently, on a trip to Northern Ireland in March, Meghan carried the ‘Bloomsbury’, a £175 leather bag by Charlotte Elizabeth, a designer from Hertfordshire, who launched her company with the help of The Prince’s Trust, the charity founded by Prince Charles.
Charlotte, 23, set up her business after being left temporarily paralysed by a life-threatening illness, and says Meghan’s support is ‘wonderful
‘I understand she was inspired by the story behind my business,’ Charlotte tells me. ‘I took along my handbag idea to The Prince’s Trust enterprise course in the spring of 2014. I’d left school aged 16 due to a heart operation
‘The Prince’s Trust has been at the heart of this journey and changed my life for the better
Meghan knows what a statement sartorial pieces can make and her bag choices show a socially conscious, wholesome side to her personality.
They also hint at a love affair with her new home country. Meghan has a growing affection for British
bag designers including Mulberry (she owns two of the £995 Bayswaters, which appeared in her collection just as her relationship with Harry was heating up) and Burberry (she has the £595 equestrian-inspired ‘Baby Bridle’ bag, pictured right).
It was no coincidence, either, that Meghan was photographed carrying a reusable bag from hip grocer Whole Foods Market on one of her first secret trips to London in November 2016 — although this bag’s message ‘Alleviating poverty worldwide’) was a little more overt.
Using her bags to send a message — and supporting causes she cares about, such as eco clothing brand Everlane — matters to Meghan. It’s a clever yet subtle way of showing she cares — without getting in the way of a carefully co-ordinated outfit.