Meghan wore another eclectic mix of fashion brands for her afternoon in Wales with Prince Harry.
Their day of engagements in Cardiff, the capital of Wales, started at the historic Cardiff Castle.
Described as “one of Wales’ leading heritage attractions,” the Castle website notes the property’s background —
Located within beautiful parklands at the heart of the capital, Cardiff Castle’s walls and fairytale towers conceal 2,000 years of history.
This is the couple’s third joint engagement, and their first appearance together in Wales. It reflects Meghan’s interest in learning more about the UK and its people as she continues to think about future charitable endeavors and interests ahead of this May’s wedding.
Crowds started gathering early this morning to see the couple.
Things got underway more than an hour late because the couple’s train from London was delayed. Wales Online reports that “When the Prince first arrived at the castle he clasped his hands together in front of him as if praying, in a sign of forgiveness, as he was greeted by Morfudd Meredith, the Lord-Lieutenant of South Glamorgan, and said “sorry” for being late.”
Megan McAuley, 10, held up a sign saying “My name is Megan too!” — and it worked. Her namesake spotted it and came dashing across the gravel path outside the castle door to say hello.
“She saw my sign. I said, ‘Your name’s Meghan too!’ And she said, ‘It’s very nice to meet you. Can I call you Meg?’ ” said McAuley, who handed her “a nice flowery necklace. She said, ‘Thank you for my present. It’s very nice to meet you.’”
Meghan was given daffodils, the national flower of Wales.
Self-confessed royal fanatic Cynthia Osborne presented Kate with a posy of daffodils, the national flower of Wales.
The retired nurse, aged in her 60s, said: “Meghan said ‘it’s lovely to be in Wales’ I asked to see her engagement ring and she held it out and said ‘I’m such a lucky lady’.”
Another view of the duo greeting people in the crowd comes via Simon Perry.
The spoon presented to Prince Harry and Meghan had H&M carved into the handle, the initials of the two schoolchildren and, of course, the married couple to be.
The crafted wooden spoon features a Celtic knot, horseshoe and barley twist said to symbolise eternal love, good luck, and togetherness.
The children’s names? Harry and Megan; they both attend Marlborough Primary School in Cardiff.
After greeting many of the well-wishers the couple moved inside where they took part in a Welsh Festival of Culture and met musicians, poets, and leading sports figures. More from BBC Wales:
“As they went inside the castle for the celebration of Welsh culture, Prince Harry told his bride-to-be of his appreciation for Welsh singing. “You are only going to hear the best singing in Wales,” he said.
Meghan and Harry listened to a performance by Only Boys Aloud, a Welsh choir featuring boys aged 13 – 19.
Meghan and Harry saw a mix of Welsh food products in a Taste of Wales exhibit. Among the items: a very creative wedding cake made entirely of local cheese, as Richard Palmer shared this photo.
The couple were also treated to a wedding cake made from Welsh cheese, with Ms Markle exclaiming: “Oh my goodness, how sweet is that”.
Both Ms Markle and Harry tasted small pieces of the mature cheddar that made up part of the five-tier cake, which she described as “really delicious”.
I believe in this picture they are meeting some of the athletes in attendance.
On the far right, I think you see Welsh football star Nadia Lawrence. Wales Online reports Ms. Lawrence gave them a Wales shirt signed by the women’s team, as well as a football signed by the men’s team. The coverage also notes that “She described meeting them as “amazing” and “surreal”.”
The second stop today was at the Starhub Community Centre, a local rec center. Jessica Walford of Wales Onlineposted a photo of the couple as they arrived.
@JessWalford Twitter (click photo to go to feed)
They spoke with StreetGames staff and volunteers.
The couple watched some table tennis and spoke with many of the youngsters at the center.
ET spoke with several staff members at Star Hub immediately following the highly anticipated visit, and it was clear that it was a success.
“As soon as they walked in the door, the kids were mesmerized,” Center Assistant Dean Maynard tells ET. “A lot of the kids, it takes them quite a bit to actually get involved and interact with other people, so to see them all really smiling and happy and involved, that was a nice feeling for me, personally.”
The charity helps make sport accessible to all young people regardless of their income or social circumstances…[and] has helped 40,000 disadvantaged young people reap the benefits of sport…
Meghan and Harry chatted with girls taking part in a spin class.
Meghan tried her hand at Jenga.
The participants are part of the UsGirls program, a StreetGames initiative that works to get young women from all backgrounds involved in sporting activities.
And they watched a street dance class.
Arguably the cutest moment of the day came after the dance class when Prince Harry said: “Okay, everyone give Meghan a hug.”
Meghan and Harry were in their element and appeared to enjoy every element of the day’s schedule.
Now for what Meghan wore in Wales.
Her coat is by British brand Stella McCartney — Black Tie Detail Coat, $1940, is modeled on a traditional tuxedo design, with a fitted bodice, peak lapels and a back vent. The piece is partially lined to allow for “lightweight layering.”
One of its most striking elements is the oversized tie in the front.
We expected (both Susans!) to see Meghan wearing Stella McCartney; the brand’s sustainable fashion philosophy syncs well with Meghan’s outlook.
It is made of Italian wool with a touch of elastane for stretch and ease of movement. It zips up the front and is detailed with besom pockets.
When speaking with Susan Courter last night about today’s engagements, she suggested Meghan would wear Hiut Denim; as we saw, she was correct. Meghan worethe Dina style, a high-waisted skinny look (£174, roughly $245 at today’s exchange rates).
Hiut says this about the Dina: “Creates a classic silhouette. They’re understated—a wardrobe staple.”
This is another label that makes perfect sense for Meghan. It is a small Welsh brand that has its factory in Wales and hopes to bring more manufacturing jobs back to its community of Cardigan.
Cardigan is a small town of 4,000 good people. 400 of them used to make jeans. They made 35,000 pairs a week. For three decades. Then one day the factory closed. It left town. But all that skill and knowhow remained. Without any way of showing the world what they could do. That’s why we have started The Hiut Denim Company. To bring manufacturing back home. To use all that skill on our doorstep. And to breathe new life into our town.
This is another label that makes perfect sense for Meghan. It is a small Welsh brand that has its factory in Wales and hopes to bring more manufacturing jobs back to its community of Cardigan. More from the company’s website:
Cardigan is a small town of 4,000 good people. 400 of them used to make jeans. They made 35,000 pairs a week. For three decades.
Then one day the factory closed. It left town. But all that skill and knowhow remained. Without any way of showing the world what they could do.
That’s why we have started The Hiut Denim Company. To bring manufacturing back home. To use all that skill on our doorstep. And to breathe new life into our town.”
The ankle boots have a point toe, chunky block heel, elasticated side panels and a 4.5″ heel. Meghan’s future sister-in-law, Kate, has worn a Tabitha Simmons style previously, but only twice. Thank you for this fab ID goes to Laura!
Meghan’s bag is the DeMellier London Mini Venice, $395, another British company. The color is likely a nod to the green in the Welsh flag.
The bag is made of calf leather and can be carried over the shoulder, as a cross-body style or by the handle. The style is also available in the Midi Venice size. Some readers may recognize the piece—the former name of the brand was Milli Millu. Founder Mireia Llusia-Lindh said today that she is “truly honoured that Meghan is wearing one of our bags, she is a fantastic role model to women all over the world and a great addition to the Royal family.”
It is a good choice for Meghan, with structured, tailored pieces that work well with her style aesthetic. Additionally, DeMellier’s charitable endeavor A Bag, A Life, would hold appeal. More on that program from one of our WKW posts about the brand: “For every bag that is purchased Milli Millu pays for a set of lifesaving vaccines and treatments for a child in need. The company works with SOS Children’s Villages to make this happen.”
For jewelry, Meghan opted to wear two different earrings. On her left ear, she wore a Gabriela Artigas Triple Shooting Star Earring, $286, (similar here) made of 10K gold.
We first saw her wearing these two years earlier, to a premiere event for ‘Suits’ in Los Angeles in January 2016, she also wore them in Rwanda as a Global Ambassador for World Vision, 2016. The company has been in business since 2003, created and managed by sisters Gabriela and Teresita Artigas; it is based in the US.
Meghan was seen in this style on the Vanity Fair cover, September 2017 and again to the Invictus Games in Toronto later in the month—when she made her first public appearance with Harry.
It was fun seeing Meghan mix things up this way with the two different earring styles. A Tip of the Tiara to Michelle of Perth Fashion for identifying the Shooting Star style, everyone was working from fairly small images to try and sort out who made the earring.
Meghan Markle showcased the power of fashion diplomacy and showcased her commitment to sustainable fashion during an official visit to Cardiff today.
In her life before becoming engaged to Prince Harry, Markle was an activist for charitable causes and sustainability. Today’s look demonstrated her resolve to continue those passion projects in her new role.
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