MEGHAN’S CLOSET DECODED
relationship with Harry’s family. Meghan hasn’t seen any of the royals since the couple’s infamous interview with Oprah Winfrey in March, when they spoke of the detrimental and racist treatment she had endured from some of them. Katie says she believes Harry and Meghan are ‘considering’ returning to the UK around Christmas, though nothing is confirmed.
‘My understanding is that they are keen for Lilibet to have a royal christening like Archie did,’ says Katie, who adds that while the couple have distanced themselves from the family, the royal connection is still vital. ‘They know the importance of their royal affiliations and they’re not going to let go of those readily. The power of that for their brand was absolutely evident in New York.’
However important that connection may be, relations between Harry and his family are not even close to being repaired after last year’s falling-out, says Katie (even though Harry was briefly reunited with them at Prince Philip’s funeral in July).
‘There is an open line of communication, but it’s certainly not the case that they’re talking regularly. The Queen does speak to Harry and Meghan and she’s really desperate to meet Lilibet and see Archie. So that’s her priority. I think the relationship with Charles has come under real strain, but he wants to see them all.’
Now, though, after their successful NYC trip, Meghan and Harry’s plan for their new way of life continues. ‘We’ve heard a lot of promises, we’ve had a lot of talk from them, and I think now we’re seeing actions rather than words,’ says Katie.
On Meghan Markle’s New York style mood board? Amal Clooney and Shiv from Succession would be an educated guess. What was not in doubt was her Big Apple message: I mean business.
For Meghan, that meant clothes that majored in executive elegance. Pared-back pieces like Max Mara and Emporio Armani coats, a turtleneck from The Row and a Valextra bag. It was sleek, chic, modern power dressing at its best.
But there was space for a bit of fashion flair too. Namely in the relaxed burgundy Loro Piana co-ords and embellished Valentino mini-shift she wore on stage at the Global Citizen Live festival.
The looks were a masterclass in stealth wealth. Although the stealth was diminished thanks to the predictable grumbling about the price of the clothes (that Loro Piana set would set you back over £5,000). The accusation? Hypocrisy. How can you talk about vaccine equality in a £3,300 Valentino dress? But we all contain multitudes. You can appreciate Manolo Blahnik heels and
desire social change. The constant interrogation of what women in the public eye wear – always too this, too that – is proof that sexism is alive and kicking. Besides, everything
Meghan does is criticised – even down to the fact she was dressed for autumn in a still-warm New York (is it that shocking? Californians often bemoan the lack of seasons; perhaps she wanted to give the coats a whirl while she could).
One of the most revealing items was her Dior Lady D-lite bag. A subtle homage to Princess Diana, to whom the bag was gifted by the French First Lady in 1995 (and was later named after her) and became a regular in her postdivorce wardrobe. A signal of Meghan’s emancipation from The Firm? Perhaps – but it was monogrammed with DSSOS for Duchess of Sussex. If there’s a message there it’s, ‘I’m still part of the family, but now I’m doing things my way.’