Meghan wore a mix of labels for today’s first engagement, a visit to Maranui Cafe in Wellington.
There was a crowd outside the cafe eager for a glimpse of the royals.
A video from Emily Andrews shows the royals meeting cafe staff.
WATCH: #harryandmeghan meet the staff of the Maranui cafe in Wellington pic.twitter.com/PHsLQmZxSW
— Emily Andrews (@byEmilyAndrews) October 28, 2018
The focus today was mental health. All of the guests were involved with mental health programs and initiatives. Below, the Duke and Duchess speak with Jazz Thornton and Gen Mora, founders of Voices of Hope, an organization they launched that provides hope “…for those struggling with mental health issues by promoting mental well-being, empowerment and recovery.”
More via the Voices of Hope site:
Both being mental illness survivors they felt the need to use their past experiences alongside their passion for creating content to provoke and bring change. They do this by creating videos that target mental illness issues as well as writing blog posts on different topics.”
Meghan and Harry also met with young people at the cafe who are working on mental health projects throughout the country.
One of the people they are speaking with in this photo is Ezekiel Raui, one of the Queen’s Young Leaders award winners. After there were several youth suicides at his high school, Ezekiel founded Te Kotahi, a peer-support program that is led by young people.
When leaving the cafe there was still a group hoping to see the Duke and Duchess.
Among the children was a young man named Joe. More from Stuff NZ:
For one small Wellington schoolboy, meeting the Duchess of Sussex, Meghan Markle, proved a little too much.
On their way out, Markle stopped to greet young school children, from nearby Houghton Valley School.
At the end of the line was Joe Young, 5, who was overcome with emotion when the Duchess approached him.”
She kneeled down to his level and attempted to comfort him.
Houghton Bay school deputy principal Monica Mercury said the excitement was a little much for five-year-old.
Markle told Young he was “really cute and really shy”, she said.
There was also a furry fan waiting for the couple; I’m not sure if he was able to meet them or not.
Now for a quick look at what Meghan wore.
The Duchess was in another Club Monaco piece, the brand’s Ellayne Trench ($298) in a color called seaweed green. The piece is 100% lyocell, with ovesrized lapels, on-seam pockets and adjustable ties at the wrist. Thank you UFO No More for the coat ID.
Beneath the coat, Meghan sported a sweater by Jac and Jack, the ‘Twain’ sweater, an Australian brand.
The piece has the brand’s signature fit, unstructured and loose. It’s made in a mix of wool and cashmere, with a rolled collar and ribbed cuffs. It is available in very limited sizes at David Jones ($498 AUD, about $350 USD at today’s exchange rates).
Meghan appeared to be in her Outland Denim jeans, first seen when the Duke and Duchess visited Dubbo.
The Harriet style Meghan wears is a classic five pocket design with a high-rise cut and skinny silhouette. We show the jeans at Australian/New Zealand retailer The Iconic ($199.90 AUD, about $145 USD at today’s exchange rate).
There was good news from Outland Denim this week, related to the boost in business they have had since Meghan was seen wearing their jeans. The company announced on October 27th that “Thanks to the Duchess’ choice in denim, we’re pleased to announce that it will be possible to employ a further 15 to 30 seamstresses in our Cambodian production house in the coming weeks, and the recruitment process has already begun.
Meghan also wore the Veruka Lace-Up boot by Stuart Weitzman ($698); we show it at Nordstrom, but the black suede is no longer available.
We have had a number of inquiries about Harry’s sweater. It looks like the N. Peal’s Carnaby Half-Zip style in the Fumo Grey/Derby Grey colorway ($450). (The photo below left is not from today.)
Meghan and Harry are on their way to their next engagement at Abel Tasman National Park. We will be updating this post but wanted to get the first pass published.
This 1:50 video from Radio New Zealand covers the morning café visit.
Watch as Prince Harry and Meghan meet with young people at Maranui Cafe to talk about the importance of education in mental health.
They also greet children waiting outside. #royalvisitnz
Royal visit day 2: A Kiwi day out for Prince Harry and Meghan: ? https://t.co/CZ1tLa4uKm pic.twitter.com/QdymHsJUF8
— RNZ (@radionz) October 28, 2018
Unrelated to this engagement but still fun, the front page of London’s Metro.
Here’s a recap look at what Meghan wore for this morning’s engagement.
That is a very very fashionable coat. I love it. <3
Love this fall look. Modern with a funky twist. I’d love to wear this!
Love to hear the news from Outland Denim! What a great way to use your platform.
Love the coat. I actually think she’s got a gift for selecting coats, just like she has bags. I know there are those who dislike the belted, wide-lapel thing, but I love it and I think it looks great on her. Could she be any prettier?
Just love the Duchess with the overwhelmed little one, and to go back and ask that the cakes be taken out to the children, comes from the heart, beautiful woman inside and out. A good match for Harry he has a huge heart!, he is his mothers son
This is a fine casual look, but I do agree with Lesley’s comments about the oversized lapels swamping Meghan small frame. Also, if she was going with boots for comfort and/or warmth, she could have opted for something with a lower heel. It always mystifies me that both Meghan and Kate select such high heels, when a lower one would be safer, easier to walk in and ultimately long term be better for the feet and back.
I like the Club Monaco coat very much, very café society with its easy-going wide lapels and soft tie belt and a lovely shade of taupe. The classic polo neck under it is also spot on and it’s fun to learn about the Oz Jac and Jack brand.
I’m glad to see Meghan getting plenty of wear out of her jeans though of course with such slender legs a tight fit comes close to looking faintly ridiculous especially with such clunky boots. I’m no fan of these Nordstroms though no doubt they tick various fashion boxes. However with such a minimalist approach to colour at least all those gold eyelets don’t look overdone.
Thanks for the update on Harry’s zip-neck – he was also looking suitably relaxed for a café date in a super cashmere.
Thanks! Any info on her jewelry, including lapel pins? Is that Heads Together?
Can’t fault this outfit at all! She looks amazing 🙂
Love the boots, but I’m less than enamored of the wide lapel coat. Meghan seems to have a penchant for huge lapels as some kind of signature look, and I have disliked almost every single one since she made her formal engagement debut in the belted white coat with big lapels. Wide lapels tend to swamp her frame and dominate whatever else she’s wearing. i might like this particular one, except for the fact that it’s more-of-the-same and I have a jaundiced eye by now. At least it’s not belted.Her wide lapel/belted coat looks always appear sloppy looking to me. Otherwise, her outfit’s just blah, except for the boots.
Love this outfit, and I would wear this entire outfit in a minute. The boots are the standout here together with the wide lapel coat. Perfect to meet young people at a cafe.
I love the Duchess’ range of clothing style, and yet she remains true to her minimalist view. It is exciting having her as a Royal for a wannabe fashionista like me!
Yup, I agree with everything you’ve said here 100%. This is the perfect outfit for the occasion, and the entire outfit is one that I would not mind having in my closet, lol (although those boots, sadly, are not in my price range, ha.) Meghan looks great.
Susan, are you sure it is the right sweater? In one of the photo, the sweater looks longer than the one linked.
Hi Betty, It’s a bit of an optical illusion with the photo – the one I believe you are referring to is where Meghan’s coat is open – it is the inside back part of the jacket you are seeing coupled with her dark (black) jeans that is giving the appearance of a longer sweater. She actually has the hem of the sweater partially tucked up in her waist band.
Thanks, SC
Terrific example of how to put together an outfit — the cozy jacket in the lighter color over black jeans with that yummy sweater peaking through and those fabulous boots! Love the silhouette of those boots! The whole thing plus her cute ponytail really works. I’d prefer it pretty much always if she’d tie the coats and jackets instead of the loose open look she prefers, but it still works as others have mentioned. Just a perfect outfit for the occasion on so many levels.
Really like how Meghan brought all these separates together.
The Club Monaco trench works belted or not and becomes a completely different look when left open as seen on Meghan. Okay, that black sweater by Jac and Jack is a real find. Love the loose fit and shorter length.
The first photo on this blog is extraordinary. Now into day 14 of this tour it shows Meghan continuing to match Harry’s stride and energy. Unbelievable!
Love this jacket which looks warm and cosy to keep the spring NZ chill at bay. They are now heading over to Abel Tasman park which is just stunning.