Happy First Anniversary to the The Duke and Duchess of Sussex!
To commemorate the day, Harry and Meghan have shared the below video clip from their Sussex Royal Instagram account earlier today.
The post also featured a message about the short video and a personal note from Harry and Meghan —
Viewers were treated to some very special moments from the Royal Wedding including a cheeky image of Harry hitching his ride to the church. Another shows Harry and William climbing down a narrow staircase heading to the chapel.
Intimate scenes with Meghan and her mother, Harry taking a quite minute to read over something – perhaps the program or maybe even a note from his bride, one can only imagine. There is Meghan receiving her bouquet as she enters the chapel from Harry’s assistant, Clara Madden while her little bridesmaids are captured assembling in the background.
Claire Waight Keller behind the scenes adjusting that beautiful long veil before Meghan enters the chapel, the bride and groom signing the wedding register and finally the the newlyweds collapse with their sweet little bridesmaids and pageboys for photos in Windsor Castle.
The Duke and Duchess indicated that the black and white photos were taken by a second wedding photographer, Chris Allerton.
You may recall photographer Alexi Lubomirski took Harry and Meghan’s official wedding photos as well as their engagement photos. Reflecting back, we’ll now take a look at the past year in photos and all that the couple has accomplished in such a short time.
Harry and Meghan hit the ground running immediately following their nuptials when they attended their first garden party as their Royal Highnesses The Duke and Duchess of Sussex.
After a honeymoon to a non-disclosed location, the newlywed couple returned in time to attend Trooping the Colour in June, an annual event marking the Queen’s birthday.
The following week it was off to Cheshire, UK for Meghan’s first official engagement with The Queen.
The pair looked to be getting along swimmingly throughout the day, sharing a few giggles as well!
We had a surprise treat on 17 June when we saw the blissful duo attend the wedding of Celia McCorquodale, Harry’s cousin, and daughter of Diana’s sister, Lady Sarah McCorquodale, marry George Woodhous at St Andrew & St Mary’s Church in Stoke.
The two did not disappoint for Royal Ascot 2019! The couple awarded the trophy for the winner of the St. James’ Palace Stakes to jockey Frankie Dettori.
Off to Buckingham Palace towards the end of June to attend the Queen’s Young Leaders Awards ceremony and a reception following the event.
Yet again, another surprise appearance for all when Meghan and Harry attended the Audi Polo event at Coworth Park Polo Club, Oxfordshire on 30 June with friends, Serena Williams and her husband, Alexis Ohanian.
We tend to not see too much of the Royal Family at many official engagements in the summer months of July and August as this is a time to go on holiday with family. This didn’t stop Meghan and Harry as they were quite busy in the month of July as well.
On 1st July we saw Meghan attend another day of Audi Polo in Oxfordshire.
A few short days later the “boots to the ground” pair attended ‘Your Commonwealth’ Youth Challenge Reception at Marlborough House in London, 5 July.
The reception was held at the end of a series of workshops that the Commonwealth Youth Forum had been holding to focus on the sort of world the young leaders want to see by 2040. The Duke of Sussex was appointed Queen’s Commonwealth Youth Ambassador in April 2018. He and the Duchess spent time speaking with delegates and guests at the event.
Next stop, Prince Louis’ Christening, 9 July at St. James Palace.
The very next day, off to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Royal Air Force in the morning of 10 July.
That same day this dynamic duo hopped, skipped and jumped right over to Dublin, Ireland in the afternoon for their first overseas visit together.
One of the couple’s last stops before heading home was Trinity College.
Meghan made it back from Dublin just in time to see her friend, Serena Williams play in the Women’s Finals at Wimbledon with sister-in-law, Kate, The Duchess of Cambridge.
On 17 July, Meghan and Harry officially opened the “Nelson Mandela: The Centenary Exhibition” at Southbank Centre.
Once more, we were surprised with an appearance by Meghan at the Sentebale Polo Cup Charity Event on 26 July to show her support for husband Harry.
Happy Birthday Meghan! For the Duchess’ 37th birthday on 4 August, she and the Duke attended the wedding of Charlie Van Straubenzee and Daisy Jenks in Surrey, UK. Charlie is Harry’s childhood school friend.
It’s Hamilton in the West End, London for a very special gala performance fundraiser benefiting Sentebale, a charity helping children and young people affected by HIV in Lesotho and Botswana.
Oh, Hey Lin!
We jump ahead now to 4 September for the WellChild Awards in London.
Two days later it was 100 Days to Peace Concert, an event that marked the anniversary of the final 100 days of WWI. The event took place at Central Hall in London.
On 17 September we came together for a discussion about food and amazing recipes when we learned about Meghan’s project – TOGETHER: A Community Cookbook!
The cookbook features more than 50 recipes from the Hubb Community Kitchen which was started by women displaced following the deadly Grenfell Tower fire in 2017, killing 72 people.
A few days later on 20 September, Meghan’s book launch took place for TOGETHER: A Community Cookbook at Kensington Palace. Her mother, Doria Ragland attended the event.
Sales from the book help to support the Hubb kitchen in an effort to keep it open seven days a week.
There was fun, games and recognition at Coach Core graduation and awards on 24 September in Leicestershire.
The program includes young men and women ages 16-24. Kensington Palace notes 97% of graduates go into full-time education or employment.
By the end of September the Duchess had her first solo engagement — the opening of the Royal Academy Oceania exhibition in London. The exhibition was the first survey of Oceania art held in the UK.
WOW, we’ve made it to October and The Sussexes visit Sussex, UK!
(Right about this time is when Susan C. whispered once again to Susan K. regarding the “baby elephant” in the room… “Yes Susan, we’re going there, Meghan is most definitely pregnant and the announcement is coming any day!”)
Full circle back at St. George’s Chapel on 12 October for another Royal Wedding as Princess Eugenie marries Jack Brooksbank.
(Susan C. once again, chuckling, says to Susan K. – “I’m going there again, “baby elephant” very much IN THE ROOM! Pregnancy announcement during tour perhaps?!”)
It’s Royal Tour Australia, Fiji, Tonga and New Zealand – beginning 15 October – and they’re off!
WE HAVE A BABY ANNOUNCEMENT! On 15 October the Duke and Duchess shared the wonderful news!
The Royal Tour was a very exciting and long two weeks beginning in Australia, then on to Fiji, Tonga, and ending 31 October in New Zealand. The visit also included the Invictus Games 2019 in Australia. Below, several photo collages highlighting their visit.
Back fresh from their first Royal Tour, November kicked off with the Festival of Remembrance followed by Remembrance Sunday.
There were celebrations for Prince Charles’ 70th birthday and Royal Foundation events in mid-November.
The Royal Variety show and a special engagement to celebrate the funds raised from the sales of Together: A Community Cookbook benefiting the Hubb Community Kitchen which rounded out November!
The year ended with behind the scenes project work with the ACU, a surprise appearance at the British Fashion Awards to honor Meghan’s friend and designer Claire Waight Keller, a visit to Brinsworth House – Royal Variety Charity and finally Christmas in Sandringham once more.
We’ll end this here for today and return again to take a look at how the Duke and Duchess kicked off 2019!
ElizaMo says
Many congratulations to this ground-breaking couple on their first anniversary, it’s been quite a journey. I’ve loved seeing their own video of personal takes on their big day and it’s reminded me of how much joy was about at the time. I also appreciate your lovely review of Meghan’s fashion year. I miss seeing her distinctive take on style and look forward to when she’s back in circulation again. In fact, I’m missing her so much I find myself liking the things I wasn’t so sure of at the time, just because it’s Meghan!
Amelie says
Somehow I missed this post! I can’t imagine how much work went into it grabbing all the photos of Meghan at all the engagements she has been to (some with Harry!). I love the side commentary on how the Susans were debating on if Meghan was pregnant or not! 😀 I suspected she was pregnant when she and Harry attended the 100 Days to Peace concert. That blue dress she wore may have photographed oddly with the ruffles at the stomach so I thought it might have been how the dress was made. But I started getting pregnancy vibes then. And I think we all knew she was pregnant at Princess Eugenie and Jack’s wedding! She was desperately trying not to call attention to herself by keeping her coat on so not to outshine the bride but with it half buttoned it gave off the impression she couldn’t close it all the way.
I really appreciated going back through all her appearances. It’s funny how some outfits I disliked the first time around I now like more and other outfits I liked more I’m a bit more meh on.
Anyways happy (belated) anniversary to Meghan and Harry! What a great recap of Meghan’s fashion and all the causes she has supported in her first year as a duchess!
MARCY THE ITALIAN says
I have seen ‘ Harry and Meghan plus one’ by CBS and I am really happy that finally someone is trying to stop the online bullying eased by some lazy journalists.
Having said that, we finally found out ‘she doesn’t have a stylist’ from her friend own voice. This could explain why aside from some beautiful outifits ( thanks for posting the best ones we hope to see again in the future ),some mistakes have been made over the months here and there.
So, Meghan, please follow our modest pieces of advice and allow us to become your online stylists !!!
ElizaMo says
I really enjoyed the Sussexes own mini video with personal snaps though I was sad to find it looked a lot better on my phone than my desktop monitor, so no zooming in to get extra detail! It really brought back to me the terrific high and positivity that was around when they married and I’ve been shocked to realise how far my own perceptions have been edged away from that. I so regret the storms of controversy constantly being stoked up against this couple.
It’s a great help seeing your own review because, as you rightly say, what a year it’s been! It’s helping me no end to get a positive vibe around Meghan and her choices again and not allow myself to be affected by the cross-talk that goes on elsewhere. I was touched by the CBS video you posted on Facebook. I wasn’t expecting to watch it all but was surprised to find I enjoyed it, I was afraid it might be too syrupy, but far from it, it was an eye-opener.
NOTE: admin edit
Cheryl Jute says
The more I follow what Meghan is doing and what the couple are doing I realize what an absolutely dynamic woman Meghan is. What an absolute rock she is for Harry and how she is certainly a force to be reckoned with in the Royal Family. Every time she opens her mouth there is kindness, thankfulness, inspiration and a positive lesson to be learned. I can’t wait to see what Meghan is going to do when she returns from maternity leave. She is beautiful – inside and out. She is a breath of fresh air, hugely inspiring and quietly confident in who she is and what she is. Lead on MacMeghan – excited about where you are going to lead us!
Jackie says
It’s been a great year! Happy Anniversary to the Sussexes.
Brandi says
What a year! And so many great moments and fashion moments ???????? There are several outfits and dresses I hope to see as future repeats. Thank you to both Susans for bringing us the best coverage of the work of the Sussex and Cambridge families and the fashion, of course. Whenever I see something new pop up on other news outlets I usually wait to read anything until you post it because I know its going to be top notch coverage and fun! And the WKW and WMW community is such a kind, fun, respectful bunch. ❤
WhatMeghanWore says
Thank you so much Brandi! 🙂
TwinMamaPlus1inMN says
I love the cheeky photo of Harry hitching a ride to his own wedding. It just seems so “him” and in tune with his relaxed and silly nature. Actually, I love all the other black and white photos too. They have had a whirlwind first year and have a lot to celebrate. Wishing the many years of good health and happiness in all their endeavors!
Juniper says
WOW, this is quite a post!!! Susan & Susan you two really rock!!! You have documented every outfit and engagement in this busiest of years. Thank you for the trip down memory lane . . . my head is spinning from all the images. How is it even possible that two people have fit so much into a year and a half from their engagement to their first child and all the air miles in between? It hardly seems possible. And since there was mention of the pregnancy elephant in the room, I noticed a softening and slight lovely fullness in Meghan’s face (which had gotten more angular up to and after the wedding) in the photos from the polo match last July (denim dress) and wondered if the trip to Dublin had possibly produced a new life . . .
Christina O. says
Happy First Wedding Anniversary, Meghan and Harry!
Wishing you all the best as you continue on this amazing adventure together.
And, thank you Susan C. and Susan K. for these stellar posts!
WhatMeghanWore says
Thanks Christina, for your very kind words! We really do appreciate all the support! – Susan C.