Meghan Markle’s Fiji Fashion Choices Double Up As A Zika Precaution

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by Katie Rosseinsky |
Updated on

To date, Meghan Markle’s royal tour of Australia and Fiji has been a whirlwind of meet-and-greets, photo ops and – of course – countless outfit changes. But while the Duchess of Sussex tended towards short-sleeved, even strappy styles during the Australian leg of the marathon trip (her beachy dress by cult LA label Reformation springs to mind…), often in darker navy blue hues, her on-duty style seems to have shifted dramatically since touching down in Fiji - and it's certainly not a coincidence.

Of the three outfits in which Meghan has been pictured since arriving on the island, two - a smart white shift dress by Aussie label Zimmerman and a printed wrap dress with frilled skirt by Figue - have featured long sleeves; the third, the stunning Safiyaa gown worn for a state dinner, featured a caped effect, albeit with shorter sleeves. The Duchess's new look is almost certainly a precaution against the Zika virus - albeit a very stylish one.

Fiji is thought to currently have a moderate risk of the Zika virus, which is transmitted via mosquito bites and can cause birth defects including microcephaly if contracted by a pregnant woman. Despite this, it was confirmed by the Palace shortly after Meghan's pregnancy was announced that she and her husband Prince Harry would continue their visit to Fiji and Tonga (another risk area) as planned.

After taking medical advice, the royal couple will doubtless be adhering closely to health precautions that will minimise any risk of infection - one of which relates to Meghan's wardrobe. As Professor James G. Logan, Head of the Department of Disease Control at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, explained to Peoplemagazine: ‘Wearing long sleeves and baggy clothes will help. Mosquitos can bite through jeans so if the clothing is loose it’s much harder for the mosquito to bite.'

Look back at Meghan's royal tourdrobe in the gallery below...

Gallery

Meghan Markle Australia Tour Outfits - Grazia

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CREDIT: Getty

Day 1

For the first stop on the royal itinerary, Meghan chose a cream shift dress by Australian designer Karen Gee, paired with Princess Diana's butterfly earrings.

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CREDIT: Shutterstock

Day 1

For an afternoon reception, the Duchess changed into a khaki shirt dress by US designer Brandon Maxwell, thought to be priced at £1,728.

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Day 2

For a Wednesday visit to the rural city of Dubbo, Meghan wore the 'Serena' Boss oversized blazer, designed by her friend Serena Williams (which costs $203, or £109) with a pair of black high-rise jeans by Australian brand The Outland, which cost $199, a Maison Kitsune button-down collar shirt for $75 and ankle boots by J.Crew, which cost $318.

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CREDIT: Shutterstock

Day 3

For the third day of the tour on October 18 Harry and Meghan visited Melbourne, the Duchess wore the 'Folded Sail' Navy Dress by Dion Lee and Manolo Blahnik BB Pumps in Navy.

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CREDIT: Shutterstock

Day 4

For her first outfit of day four, Meghan more a £1,080 Martin Grant Maxi Dress which is no longer available to buy, and a pair of Castaner Wedges which she kicked off to walk in the sand on Bondi Beach

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CREDIT: Shutterstock

Day 4

For her second outfit of day four, the Duchess wore the 'Athena' Midi Dress by Roksanda, and a pair of Stuart Weitzman 'Legend' Pumps to visit Macarthur Girls School

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Day 5

For the opening of the enhanced Anzac Memorial Meghan wore a black Emilia Wickstead dress and a pillbox style hat by Philip Treacy.

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Day 5

In the afternoon of Day 5 Meghan changed into a white Altuzarra 'Acacia' blazer and black skinny jeans by LA label, Mother. She finished the look with Illesteva sunglasses and Tabitha Simmons 'Millie' heels.

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Day 6

For a lunchtime reception hosted by Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison Meghan wore a pinstriped white blazer by Californian brand L'Agence. She also wore her favourite Aquazzura Deneuve Bow Pumps and striped cross-body Orton bag.

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CREDIT: Shutterstock

Day 6

Meghan and Prince Harry take in the sailing segment of the Invictus Games tournament. For this windswept occassion, Meghan wore a fashionable pair of Veja trainers, which likely marks one of the first occasions this royal has stepped out in public in sneakers. She paired the shoes with a pair of dark jeans, likely from Outland or Mother denim and an official merchandise jacket.

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CREDIT: Shutterstock

Day 7

Meghan picked sustainable Los Angeles label Reformation's Pineapple dress for a walkabout visit of Fraser Island.

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Day 8

Meghan Markle left Australia wearing a white linen J Crew shirt (coming in at just £79.50), her Outland black skinny jeans, and Aquazurra DJ mules (£468).

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Day 8

The Duchess arrived in Fiji wearing white dress by Australian brand Stephen Zimmerman, with a matching white hat from Stephen Jones. She was also wearing a pair of earrings that were given to her by the Queen (and first seen when the pair visited Chester together) and a bracelet given to her by Prince Charles.

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CREDIT: Shutterstock

Day 8

For her first state dinner at Fiji's Grand Hotel, the Duchess wore a caped gown by British label Safiyaa in Fijian blue, complete with earrings borrowed from the royal vaults. No tiara, though - that's because a state dinner is a black tie occasion (unlike a state banquet) and so tiaras are not required. Good to know.

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CREDIT: Shutterstock

Day 9

For her second day in Fiji, the Duchess opted for a wrap dress in a floral print by Figue from Shopbop, paired with some Castaler espadrilles - and a traditional Fijian garland. She also carried a woven clutch bag, made by talented Fijian craftswomen as part of a UN initiative.

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Day 9

For Meghan and Harry's final evening in Fiji, the coupel met with the King of Tonga. The Duchess wore an ivory cap-sleeved beaded silk satin column dress by Theia with Birks earrings, Aquazzura pumps, a Givenchy clutch and an aquamarine ring that belonged to Princess Diana.

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Day 10

For a commemorative ceremony to remember a British-Fijian soldier, Sergeant Talaisasi Labalaba, which was attended by the President of Fiji, Meghan wore a Jason Wu sheath dress, Manolo Blahnik suede navy pumps, Pippa Small earrings and bangles with a Christian Dior satin clutch.

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Day 10

Meghan stepped off the plane in Tonga in a custom scarlet Self-Portrait dress, Manolo Blahnik navy suede heels and a bespoke Christian Dior clutch.

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Day 11

For the unveiling of The Queen's Commonwealth Canopy at Tupou College Meghan wore a blue shirt dress by the American designer Veronica Beard.

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Day 11

In the evening Meghan wore a tulle Oscar De La Renta gown for the Australian Geographic Society Gala Awards in Sydney.

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Day 12

While attending the Wheelchair Basketball Final at the Invictus Games Meghan wore a wrap top by Australian designer Scanlan Theodore.

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Day 12

For the Invictus closing ceremony Meghan wore a khaki halter dress by Antonio Berardi.

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Day 13

As Meghan and Harry bid farewell to Australia the Duchess wore a BOSS by Hugo Boss dress with Aquazzura Casablanca heels and a Cuyana mini bag.

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Day 13

Meghan visits the Pukeahu National War Memorial Park in Wellington wearing an ASOS dress, plaid trench by Karen Walker and pumps by Sarah Flint.

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Day 14

Meghan wore Stella McCartney x Adidas Grosgrain-Trimmed Faux Leather Sneakers, black 'Harriet' skinny jeans by Outland Denim and a blue weatherproof jacket, suspected to be by Seasalt Cornwall, for a walk in Abel Tasman National Park, Wellington.

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Day 14

The royals visited Courtnay Creative in Wellington for an event celebrating the city's thriving arts scene. Meghan wore a white sleeveless blazer dress by Maggie Marilyn for the occasion.

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CREDIT: Shutterstock

Day 15

Attending an event for the Queen's Commonwealth Canopy, Meghan wore J. Crew jeans paired with a Karen Walker blazer and a simple top from Lavender Hill Company.

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CREDIT: Shutterstock

Day 15

Visiting the Pillars charity in Auckland, Meghan paired a custom cream shift dress from US designer Brandon Maxwell with her Burberry trench and Stuart Weitzman's 'Legend' pumps.

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CREDIT: Getty Images

Day 15

For a formal reception hosted by New Zealand's Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern, Meghan opted to re-wear the navy Antonio Berardi dress that she debuted back in 2017, at her first (albeit unofficial) public outing with Prince Harry.

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CREDIT: Shutterstock

Day 16

Meghan paired a bespoke Stella McCartney dress with Manolo Blahnik pumps and Boh Ranga earrings to viist a Rotorua, a town central to Maori culture.

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CREDIT: Getty

Day 16

Meghan wore her beloved Manolo Blahnik pumps a bespoke Givenchy sweater and pleated skirt for the final day of the royal tour.

Even Meghan's switch-up from her go-to dark blue shades will have been calculated to minimise the risk, he adds, explaining how 'wearing light-coloured clothing can help as these mosquitos are often attracted to dark clothing. It also helps you spot them, if you see a dark mosquito on a light piece of clothing.'

It's also presumed that Meghan will be avoiding visiting the local rainforest areas while in Fiji, and that her royal schedule will be amended with this in mind.

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