The Hidden Messages In One Of Meghan Markle’s Last Royal Tour Outfits

Her dress was 100% the least interesting thing about this outfit

Meghan Markle royal tour outfit

by Rebecca Holman |
Published on

The £2159 Stella McCartney dress Meghan Markle wore for a trip to Rotorua in New Zealand for the last day of the royal tour may have been on the spennier side in a fortnight that has seen the Duchess mix Self Portrait and &OtherStories with designer labels, but actually, the dress was the least interesting thing about her outfit there were hidden messages a-plenty in her accessories.

Meghan was given a cloak of protection, called a Korowai, to wear over her never Stella McCartney dress, which was said to honor Meghan’s impending motherhood and the significance of female ancestors (shout out to Doria?). In Maori history female ancestors always had a prominent role and even fought in battles. The cloak was presented to Meghan by a Maori chieftainess, and is said to demonstrate her chieftly authority.

Meanwhile, she also wore a green stone necklace which had been presented to the Duchess by the Governor General Patsy Reddy when she arrived with Prince Harry at Government House on Sunday. The necklace was from leading Maori designer Kiri Nathan, and was carved by Jason Nathan.

According to the designer’s website, the stone is The Pounama, which is only found in the South Island of New Zealand. It’s a valued stone with a strong spiritual significance - each piece holds its own mana (integrity, or strength), denoting status and power. The stone is traditionally handed down as a valued heirloom or as a gift to affirm relationships, peace, love and safe journey.

Check out every outfit Meghan wore during the royal tour:

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.

And finally, the Duchess was wearing a poppy pin in honour of remembrance day, which is coming up on 11 November.

Meanwhile, Prince Harry was still wearing his Oura Fitness ring, so at lest he can make sure he’s getting his steps in. Actually, joking aside, Prince Harry impressed the crowd Tamatepakua Meeting House when he spoke for a minute in Maori - reportedly with excellent pronunciation. So he’s definitely been pulling his weight on this tour as much as his wife is.

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