For her first public appearance since she announced her second pregnancy, Meghan Markle looked spring-ready in Oscar de la Renta. She, along with Prince Harry, popped up at Spotify's 'Stream On' event, from their home in Montecito, to discuss their podcast, Archewell Audio.
On closer inspection, Markle's choice of outfit for this particular appearance might have more significance than just looking in-season. First of all, could she have been showing her support for #StopAsianHate, a movement that is speaking up about the wave of anti-Asian hate crimes that have taken place across America? Oscar de la Renta's creative director, Laura Kim, has been voicing her concerns on Instagram, joining a united front of fashion designers and industry insiders who are asking their followers to help spread the facts and stop misinformation.
After this week's announcement that the couple would be stripped of their patronages connected with the royal family, could her choice of print also be a way of subtly saying, 'When life gives you lemons, make lemonade'? The dress's price is also worth noting. Coming in at $3,490, it perhaps would have raised eyebrows as a member of the royal family, but as a free agent with her own income, who's to stop her?
She also wore a ring from a sustainable jeweller, Ecksand, a Canadian brand that uses conflict-free, lab-grown and recycled diamonds, and prides itself on a much greater level of transparency than other fine jewellery brands. Given her penchant for meaningful jewellery that carries an important message of its own, Meghan's choice of ring here wasn't an accident – she has been, after all, one of the most prevalent influencers when it comes to sustainability.
SEE: Celebrity Maternity Style
1 of 13Meghan Markle
Meghan Markle, shaded beneath the sun-filled skies in LA, wore bespoke Caroline Herrera, a label she wore throughout her pregnancy with Archie, to announce baby number two.
2 of 13Emily Ratajkowski
Emrata strikes again, this time with the cool-girl combination of a beanie hat, faux-fur coat, slouchy jeans and a pair of spike-heeled boots from Yeezy.
3 of 13Hilary Duff
Hilary Duff treated her bump to a blossom-printed frock and big earrings on her birthday.
4 of 13Emily Ratajkowski
Enjoying a babymoon with her husband, Emily Ratajkowski made loungewear look sexy in a tie-dye top and orange joggers.
5 of 13Mandy Moore
A sequinned dress, preferably one with some stretch that can accommodate your expanding waistline, is also fair game, according to Mandy Moore.
6 of 13Mandy Moore
Committing to sequins, Moore posted a picture of herself in a spangly purple skirt and matching roll neck for a virtual appearance.
7 of 13Emily Ratajkowski
Emily Ratajkowski certainly didn't alter her personal style during her pregnancy, as this black jersey dress paired with slouchy knee-high boots proves. Swap the heels for stomper boots, and this look could take you through all three trimesters (depending on the stretch-factor).
8 of 13Emma Roberts
Emma Roberts had an excellent maternity wear wardrobe, and this combination of a loose-fitting slip skirt, a tee and backless loafers looks effortless.
9 of 13Kelly Rowland
Kelly Rowland, plus a pair of high-waisted trousers, proves that you don't have to hide away under baggy layers (although go right ahead if that floats your boat).
10 of 13Elsa Hosk
Elsa Hosk swaddled her bump in a printed dress and oversized sweater for a ramble through the countryside.
11 of 13Romee Strijd
In cold weather, your bump's best friend will be knitted layers (don't forget the beanie) à la Romee Strijd.
12 of 13Ciara
Ciara gave birth to her third child last year, and we're still in love with this high-necked, thigh-slit dress she wore at Tom Ford.
13 of 13Jodie Turner-Smith
Jodie Turner-Smith welcomed her baby last year, but not before giving a tour de force in pregnancy dressing on the promo trail for Queen & Slim. Responding to haters on Twitter, who criticised the crop top she wore on The Graham Norton Show, Turner-Smith said: '...gives zero fucks about your disdain for pregnant women's bodies on British television.' Quite right too.