As Meghan Is Seen For The First Time In Canada, Is Her Dressed-Down Pragmatism A Sign Of Things To Come?

While it hasn't even been a full week since Harry and Meghan announced that they would be 'stepping back' from the royal family, there has been so much written and discussed on the topic that you'd be forgiven for thinking it happened in the last decade. As the world has been speculating on the realities of their decision, whether or not Meghan has signed a deal with Disney and just what the Queen really thinks, Meghan has (possibly) been using the power of clothes to send a message to the world.

Spotted in Canada for the first time since she and her husband published their announcement on Instagram, Meghan was seen boarding a seaplane on Vancouver Island, which took her to the mainland of Vancouver where she made a surprise visit to a women's shelter.

Facing the snowy Canadian climes, Meghan wore black jeans tucked into brown quilted Le Chameau boots, a cable knit jumper from The Row (similar here), a black tote bag by Cuyana and a Barbour coat with faux fur hood (similar here). Although she was embarking on a public engagement of sorts, Meghan chose a casual, practical outfit that seems like a world away from the tailored dresses she wore to adhere to strict royal dress codes. It was also thoughtful – while her The Row knit would have been the most expensive item, it's a jumper she's had for years and even wore in multiple episodes of Suits.

The Barbour jacket, too, is something Meghan has worn before (she was photographed wearing it back in 2017), while her tote is from Cuyana, a brand that works to reduce waste, and is the bag she carried to Wimbledon back in the summer of last year. The boots, meanwhile, might even be a nod to her sister-in-law, the Duchess of Cambridge, who has worn many styles from Le Chameau over the years.

Meghan's surprise visit was to the Downtown Eastside Women's Centre in Vancouver, which works to provide basic needs to those who need it. Taking to Facebook, the organisation posted a photograph of Meghan with eight other women, writing: 'Look who we had tea with today! The Duchess of Sussex, Meghan Markle, visited us today to discuss issues affecting women in the community.'

Now that she will face fewer royal stipulations over her wardrobe, is Meghan keen to return to her laid-back sense of style? Watch this space.

SHOP: Meghan's Outfit