Wednesday 11 July 2018

It's Roland Mouret for Dublin Day Two!

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex began the second day of their official visit to Dublin with a visit to the official residence of the President, Aras an Uachtarain in the city's Phoenix Park.


The couple were warmly welcomed by President Michael D Higgins and his wife Sabina.


Meghan was quite taken with The Higgins’ Bernese Mountain dogs, Brod and Sioda.


We know Meghan has already charmed the Queen's Corgis, she clearly has a way with animals and was a hit with the adorable pair this morning.


More from the Mail Online:

'The President has had Bernese mountain dogs for over 19 years and took in Sioda, a Bernese Mountain dog, who was left homeless when his previous owners emigrated in search of work in 2012. 
He has since given a home to another Bernese Mountain dog named Bród, who, along with Sioda, accompanies the President every morning on his walk through the grounds of Áras an Uachtaráin.
A versatile working dog from Switzerland, Bermese mountain dogs were bred to herd cattle and pull carts and can weigh up to 120 lbs and grow up to 70 cm.'

In case you haven't heard, England will compete against Croatia in the World Cup semi-final later this evening. The football match is on everyone's minds (at least in my house :)). The royals are also eagerly awaiting kick off tonight. Harry was asked by a reporter if football was coming home. "Most definitely," he said laughing. It's understood Harry and Meghan will be back in London in time for most of it. Indeed, Prince William just sent this message to the team “A new generation is enjoying the magic of this World Cup run. The whole country is right behind you tonight. Come on England – it's coming home!”


Meghan and Sabina Higgins chatting.


The couple were given a tour of the Aras.


They heard about the history of the residence.


 Harry and Meghan signed the visitors book.


The foursome posed for official photos.


A beautiful photo of the Sussexes.


The Mirror reports "The four VIPs stood on the steps, chatting and stroking the dogs before walking across to view an oak tree planted in 2011 by the Queen before moving onto the Peace Bell. With Harry at the end nearest the bell, all four stood in a line holding a sash and then pulling it to ring the bell once for peace. Unveiled in 2008 by then President, Mary McAleese, the Peace Bell was designed to mark the 10th anniversary of the Belfast Agreement. They also viewed a sculpture entitled “The Plough and The Stars”, which the president and his wife unveiled on Labour Day 2018, “The Plough and The Stars” by John Behan commemorates the 1913 Lockout – a founding moment for workers and trade unions in Ireland"


Aras an Uachtaráin, formerly the Viceregal Lodge, is the official residence and principal workplace of the President of Ireland. It is located off Chesterfield Avenue in the Phoenix Park in Dublin. The building, which has ninety-five rooms, was designed by Nathaniel Clements and completed in 1751.


The office of President of Ireland was created in 1937. In 1938, the first President, Douglas Hyde lived there temporarily while plans were made to build a new presidential palace on the grounds. The outbreak of World War II saved the building, which had been renamed Áras an Uachtaráin (meaning house or residence of the president in Irish), from ruin, as plans for its demolition and the design of a new residence were put on hold. By 1945 it had become too closely identified with the presidency of Ireland to be demolished, though its poor condition meant that extensive rebuilding of parts of the building were necessary, notably the kitchens, servants' quarters and chapel. Since then, further restoration work has been carried out from time to time.


President Higgins saying his goodbyes to the Duchess.


A video from the visit.


The Duchess wore a bespoke taupe Roland Mouret dress with a boat neck and long sleeves for the morning. The skirt of the dress is remarkably similar to the designers Barwick dress Meghan wore the night before the wedding.


Michelle notes Meghan carried the Fendi Peekaboo Essential bag.


Meghan's black suede pumps are by Paul Andrew. The style is from the Pre-Spring 2019 Collection (with thanks to Meghan's Mirror).


And Meghan accessorised with her Birks Snowflake Snowstorm Diamond Earrings. The $12,000 pair are described as "Inspired by the icy beauty of Canadian winters, these 2.15ct diamond earrings are crafted in 18kt white gold."


The Duke and Duchess have a busy afternoon of engagements coming up.

92 comments:

  1. Nosipho, South Africa11 July 2018 at 10:16

    This is stunning. It took my breath away. I think she understands what looks good on her and basically sticks with it.

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    1. Absolutely stunning! I agree

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  2. I am a huge fan of Roland Mouret and am hoping to see Meghan in this label often. Goodness knows it is quite a big more economical than bespoke Givenchy but hey, she's a Duchess now. This is very similar to the Roland Mouret "Barwick" dress that she wore on the eve of her wedding, without the angles panels at the top but still retaining her favored boatneck-shaped neckline, so it may be a custom design. I read that she met the designer in an elevator and he told her that he would love to dress her. She wears it very well but if I am permitted to say so, the color is boring and not the usual RM offering. That being said, I will take one in US size 6, thank you very much.

    I must say that Meghan seems very eager to get things right. She seems (understandably) nervous and uncertain at times but that makes me like her even more because it shows that she cares and wants to do a good job. She is a very confident young woman and I think that once she learns the ropes that the nervousness will go away. Thank you Charlotte for having this post up first thing in the morning here in the US.

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    1. Hi BethNY,she is nervous because she wants to do her job perfectly!I think for someone who has been officially a member of the royal family for just under two months, she is fantastic!

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    2. So, I have never replied to my own comment but after closer inspection, I withdraw the statement that this is a bespoke piece. The fit is way off. RM is very long waisted. I am 5'8" and it is still long for me. I had a chance to look at some video and the dress bunches at the waist. It was particularly noticeable from the back in one of the videos. Note to self--no commenting before caffeine! One last thing, the strapless bra is tricky as it shows a distinct line at the top. Still, she looks great.

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    3. Yes, Eugenie. That was exactly my point.

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    4. BethNY, 🙂 !

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    5. Not to overstate Meghan's body type looking at her torso over the last couple of months I do believe her to be short wasted. This would present a problem if clothing (dresses) are not custom made. Alterations from the shoulder area would be necessary to allow the fabric not to relax as much when she is not actively moving. It will be interesting to note as we see future fashion offerings. With that said, it really doesn't bother me personally. The fabric is wonderful, the drape of the dress is defining and gives great interest to the dress. The color remains neutral as is her taste. Love that she remains true to her own style. Her clothing is always first sophisticated, on trend in a classic manner and appropriate. Very American!

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    6. Another beautiful dress with fit issues, like the black yesterday. She needs another inch in the body and chest so these dresses are not so skin tight!

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  3. I am loving that she is wearing jewellery I can see😍😍. So sick of those "minature" earrings she likes wearing. Long may it last, love love the earrings she wore last night. Also loving how her hair has been styled the last few outings, i love neat hair. I love this RM dress, i am not sure i like the colour though.

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    1. Tammy from California11 July 2018 at 17:04

      I agree with you Sarah on those Birks earrings! I really like those earrings and think they really make a statement in an understated way, if that makes sense!

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  4. These photos are so sweet. It’s clear the one dog is taken with Meghan as well, with the way he’s parked himself (herself?) at her feet. 😍

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    1. Tammy from California11 July 2018 at 17:05

      ...BIG 'ol toungue hanging out, just as happy as could be!

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  5. Hmm i love she wearing she looks grat wearing that hmm i actually love the fact she quite nervous but she did great job she perfectly fine duchess sussex stop being nervous your doing great job

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    1. Hi Bluefire,it's impossible not to be nervous,all is new for her and she wants to be a good ambassador. Think at this: her entire life has changedvery suddenly ,not only has she become a wife,she has millions of eyes watching her every move!

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  6. Love the outfit yet do have two observations: not liking effect of strapless bra necessitated by the boat neck and the very lage bag, though beautiful gives her perhaps too much of a business woman look.

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    1. It is a large bag indeed, a lovely one though. I think after 2 months in this business, she is doing incredibly well, I think as time goes by she will realise if this kind of a bag is really needed or not. But nothing bad can come from a woman meaning business, when one is working.

      On her dress, I love it, long sleeves and the colour make it a hit for me!

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    2. I see what you mean about the businesswoman look Lize. I'm sure other readers probably have the same view. But I actually like that "business" look on Meghan. It reminds me of some of Letizia's daytime looks I've liked. I tend not to like the frilly/ruffled "Sunday best" looks favored by some women in the BRF, especially when doing daytime events where everyone else is dressed in their "business best."

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    3. Steph from Canberra11 July 2018 at 12:43

      I agree Lize, I think this is what niggles at me in all her outfits - they are quite form fit and you can see the outline of her strapless bra.

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    4. So lovely. Love the pink dress. Like Meghan's dress but the bra region isn't good. IMO anytime attention is drawn first & strongest to that area it isn't good. I thought it was the outer part of the dress's design. It looks sheer on top and the bust is a tighter strapless style. Maybe not though. I could be wrong. In any case, the couple is so lovely. It's so delightful seeing a couple in love.

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    5. Interesting observations on the bag. I think that Meghan likes bags (along with shoes) and will continue to indulge that pleasure. I don't see her 'finding her way" to a standard bag for all occasions. Yes, the Queen has her go-to granny bag that isn't tiny and I can't recall seeing her with a clutch. I don't recall seeing Catherine without one. I think this will be a case of to each her own.

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    6. She wears wonderful clothes. This dress doesn't look good. This doesn't fit well... The front reveals too many things is shouldn't.

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    7. Ok. You all were right. It's not sheer on top, it is just extremely tight and the first photo made it look like that. I zoomed in to take a look and I think that the top of the dress is just extremely tight. She seems to like that style. But it doesn't photograph very well. It might look better in person without the flash lightning accentuating things. It's a lovely dress otherwise just could be a size bigger. But we shouldn't be getting all upset about a detail like that. She's doing her best and obviously interacting very well with people. She will grow and learn how certain things photograph and adjust.

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    8. I agree. Undergarments can maje or break an outfit, it’s the foundation. The brassiere is padded and it sags in some pictures. Since she has a small chest, she can have the support built into the dress, specially if she is going to wear it very tighly. I should think the royals have tailors on staff. This is such an advantage, why not use it. People have critized her wedding dress because it could have been fitted better. Having said that, when you pay thousands of dollars for a bespoke dress it should fit perfectly!!!

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    9. Oh, Philly!How could you forget the Chanel bag in Paris and the various carryall bags for Wimbledon and other events? Meghan often is holding Harry's hand instead of a clutch. I am only guessing, of course-could the larger bag be to accommodate a tablet device? Handy for all the information they must have been given for the trip. Easier to read than a smart phone screen. Maybe she is documenting the trip for her Mum and perhaps her Dad?.

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  7. I’m torn on the dress - I would like it much better if her bra wasn’t causing weird creasing at the top. How cute is she with the dogs?! In their engagement interview Harry mentioned how well she got on with the queen’s dogs....animals seem to love her as much as she seems to love them - so cute.

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  8. She is learning fast but this all is so foreign and new to her. I hope she’s looking at photos of how the clothes work in motion so the fit can be adjusted to her shape. Any person that dogs take to is a fine human being in my book.

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  9. The Duke and Duchess are up and at it. The Duchess of Sussex looks very nice. Considering this is her first OFFICIAL job for the Firm, she is off to a good start. The dogs like her too. Thanks, Charlotte.

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  10. Dress is gorgeous but I think I’ve found the one colour I don’t like on her - it looks like such a drab brown-grey to me and not flattering. I love neutrals but this is just so blah.

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  11. I love her business looks, but that bra is unfortunate. Seeing a lady's undergarments is a pet peeve of mine. Her PA should have advised better.

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    1. I have to agree, SDR. Unfortunate 😞

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    2. I must also agree; I think she'll look at photos and think 'oh crap.' A half inch to an inch of extra fabric would have done her well, and this would be a beautiful dress then. As is, it's far too distracting. The bag is a bit large as well, merely another distraction rather than adornment. Her makeup looks great, love the hair, and LOVE that dogs seem to adore her so much. I think that says something about a soul!

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  12. I think the cut of the dress is so flattering, and the color of the dress allows her to 'fade' into the background, pushing Harry into the forefront. She's savvy enough to know that all eyes are watching, and this muted color allows her to be a bit less conspicuous. Although I do LOVE the earrings, they seem a bit fancy for a morning meeting. Her smile, energy, and ability to engage with people and animals are what make her so interesting to follow.

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  13. Hmmm she was on such a winning streak all of yesterday and I guess it just couldn't last forever...the color I think is what is ruining this look for me and the undergarment situation is...unfortunate. --Maggie

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  14. Wow, she looks great, as always. As does Harry. I love the more professional rather than sweet royal look. And those dogs, OMG. The dogs like her but how they crowd around the (I'm sorry, this is bad) adorable looking Irish President is beyond charming. That love! They are so giant! Gah how I wish we had decent world leaders that didn't make us look like idiots.

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  15. I love this dress, but it could have done with some adjustments. I agree with above comments that it seems too long in the body, and the bra really digs in, which affects the whole look. The similar navy dress that Meghan wore before the wedding also has this tight, unusual tug at the bust, it is not very attractive. Otherwise this style really suits Meghan. The photos with the dogs are just adorable. It strikes me time and time again that Meghan is a kindhearted person with a beautiful soul. She is someone who smiles easily and spreads sunshine. I think this tour has gone very well, I wish them all the best for their very bright future XXX.
    Royal 👑 Watcher

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  16. Jennifer from Marin County CA11 July 2018 at 13:40

    Tres elegante! Harry in that pale gray jacket.....oh my goodness. I love how that doggie adores her. I'm glad to see the gray. She is able to wear it well, especially the drapey piece in front, because she is a "natural" and doesn't need frills, lace, ruffles and bows. Just a bit of drape, a dog and a husband who adores her.

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    1. I agree, she is a natural. Has some height, 5'7", reportedly. Blessed with long legs and a slender build. I would say she dresses in a sophisticated rather Parisian style. She doesn't wear chintz inspired florals, ruffles and bows which are rather popular with many royals and aristocrats. One unfortunate exception, in my opinion, was the boho dress she wore to a recent wedding. I love her style.

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  17. This is a huge win for me! I LOVE this shade of gray, and I love her bag (so much) and even shoes. Her lovely hair color looks terrific with the gray, in my opinion. Very happy to see those earrings again. She just looks so beautiful. And I love those doggies; maybe Harry will get her some! And she and Sabina look very good together!

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  18. Agree with other comments that she is rocking this Duchess thing, but I also agree with SDR, seeing her undergarments is unfortunate. Maybe in person it wasn’t as noticeable, but photographs told another story??

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    1. I expect you are right JLS. I'm quite sure Meghan did try on this outfit with the undergarments she planned to wear with it. I expect the bra issue wasn't evident looking in the mirror or "in person." Diana used to have photographs made to see how an outfit photographed (back views too) before wearing it in public especially if it was to be worn to an important event or on tour. I wish a number of the younger royals would adopt that approach. With digital cameras it would be so easy to do that compared to in Diana's time.

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    2. Great idea. Photograph the outfit from different angles before you wear it. Hmmm..maybe I'll take mirror selfies in the dressing room before I make my final decision. Can't always trust a shopping companions opinion!

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  19. I don’t like the gray and the fit is a bit off, but I love the dress itself and that she’s wearing bigger earrings again. But mostly, I’m loving the doggies. :-)

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  20. The meeting with the President and his wife appears to be very warm and cordial. Everyone seems to be enjoying each other and the four seem to have hit it off very well! Meghan looks chic and stylish as usual. Love the style of the dress. I think the "pleats" or "bunching" at the front of her dress are built in. The waistline sits directly on her waist, and there doesn't seem to be any bunching at the back. Since it's bespoke and Mouret who has been dressing her for years, according to what we've read, I think the dress fits her as it should. I think the outline of the bra can be a bit distracting, though. It's quite an interesting dress to me, because it looks different each time she changes her posture, but Meghan looks great in each picture.

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  21. Thank you Charlotte for the quick and informative post! It's a treat to get up at 5:00 (thanks to my dog) and see that there is a post from you.

    Oh those earrings! When I was in Canada a couple of weeks ago I told my cousin I HAD to go to Maison Birks. I drooled over those earrings, how they sparkled! But out of my price range so I settled for a pair of sterling silver Rocks & Pearls which are still very beautiful. Some news outlets are calling the color of Meghan's dress "taupe green" but I don't see the green in it; I think they are reaching a bit for the green theme. It's a beautiful dress on a beautiful woman.

    I thought it was so sweet the way that Mary Higgins took Meghan's hand as they positioned themselves for the photos. The dogs are obviously adored in that family and the feeling is mutual :)

    And now for the soccer--Go England!! Last year my home team, Waterford, almost won the hurling (a very exciting game, hope we get to see clips of the exhibition in Charlotte's next post.) The excitement in that village was unbelievable. My English friends they are battening down the hatches in their homes tonight.

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  22. Pam from Boston11 July 2018 at 14:04

    I like the dress well enough, except for the bust area. The bust is accentuated in an unflattering way. You can really see the built in bra and it looks odd. I don't like the color, although I usually like gray, this is a bit too drab, but do like the neckline as always.

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  23. Steph from Canberra11 July 2018 at 14:13

    Seeing the outfit with more photos now, I'm also thinking that I'd like to see her hair a bit softer with this dress/neckline - it might soften the look a little. Maybe out or up more loosely, even, god forbid, a messy bun!

    And, how gorgeous are the dogs?!

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  24. Another wow wow wow look for me. Meghan looks so poised and happy, along with Harry. She is so graceful in all that she does, even while signing her name in the guestbook. This dress, along with the shoes, the bag, her hair - perfection. She's such a beautiful woman to watch, because she knows who she is, what she likes, and she doesn't try to impress people with nonsensical clothes that wouldn't look good on her, just to please others. This dress is simply fabulous. Meghan is more fun to watch than Amal Clooney, and I never thought I'd be saying that! thanks for another wonderful post.

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  25. Agree abt the bra. I’ve not noticed it so much before but perhaps the lighter color of the dress makes it more noticeable.

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  26. After so much chatter about baggy clothes on the Duchess, this dress needs to be less tight. The outline of her strapless bra is unfortunate and it detracts from what would otherwise be a spectacular dress. The earrings, although beautiful, are a bit much for a morning engagement.

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  27. Susan in Florida11 July 2018 at 14:28

    I love the style of the dress. Not too happy with gray, but it’s not black. I would like to see the Duchess have the front of her knit/Jersey dresses lined so her bra doesn’t show, it detracted from the look. Love the earrings. Anyone who gets dogs to come up to them and stay to look for pats and attention, is very special.

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  28. Is it just me, or does anyone else think that the bustlines (darts) of this dress and the black (or was it dark navy?) dress she wore for the RAF celebration, do not fit well? Perhaps this is the new style for bustlines. Obviously I am not a fashion house designer, just a seamstress who is distressed by the darts. :)

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    1. I have thought so too, the bust darts seemed oddly placed for any woman. There are photos where the dress looks properly fitted but movement throws off the look. All in all though, I love it.

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    2. Tammy from California11 July 2018 at 17:02

      I agree with you riley.

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  29. I think she looks absolutely stunning! Of course there's the quibble about the bra line. She's on a learning curve. However, I thought the lines of the dress, the color, hair, earrings, shoes & even her bag... worked together to create a magnificent elegant look! I love the grey because it's not just grey... it has some depth of color to it. Sometimes grey can be too flat. This grey mixed with the black accessories is so chic!! My favorite pic is the one of her sitting at the desk signing the guestbook, with Harry looking on.... she looks exquisite! It could be a portrait! It's so exciting to see them off & running on their first Tour on behalf of The Queen & The Foreign Office!! Well Done!! :)

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    1. SierrafromMontana11 July 2018 at 16:39

      I agree Becca - the entire look is amazing - but it's what we've all learned from wearing grey sweat pants - grey shows everything!

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    2. Yes, that is a beautiful shot of her. So serene and, well, perfcet.

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  30. Not my favorite color, but great for a morning meeting, and I love the sleeves and fit of the dress. With this kind of material (and a boat neck), it's hard to hide any kind of undergarment. I actually don't think the outline of her bra is that bad....and it's just a bra. I don't think there needs to be a stigma around it in this day and age, especially when she still looks so polished and elegant. Hopefully that sentiment makes sense.

    Those earrings with her updo are the perfect touch of sparkle. I don't understand the qualms of her looking "business." That's her job, is it not? Is there some rulebook that says royals must wear frilly things or coatdresses?

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  31. Yikes. I'm a huge Meghan fan but this a big miss for me. The cut of the dress is fine, but the fit is too tight and I agree about seeing too much of her strapless bra. But overall this sort of grey actually washes her out in a way that blacks and other neutral shades don't. Not all neutrals are created equal -- this drab grey as well as the olive green she wore to Louis' christening are IMO examples of neutrals that DON'T work on her as they wash out her face.

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  32. Beautiful dress but a tad too tight! She's doing great on her first tour!

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  33. I'm not a fashionista, but this gray dress doesn't do it for me. And I'm thinking this neckline style isn't flattering for her. I think I'm in the minority! LOL!

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    1. I so agree with you! The color and neckline are not good for her. My biggest problem is that you can see her undergarments, which are poorly fitting, too easily through that dress. One has to do more than stand perfectly straight and still when trying something on to see what other views will be seen by the public BEFORE wearing in public. LOL!

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  34. Meghan looks amazing. She has lovely posture, her dark features go great with the grey/taupe color and it's nice to see another handbag. Obviously it wasn't her intention for the bra to show. It probably doesn't show so much/at all in person as in the photos.In my opinion there are worse things that could be showing. Other senior royal ladies have had fashion faux pas like this too. A lesson she'll learn for next time, and like others have mentioned she is learning still and is doing great!
    Lora from Canada

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  35. I imagine that the diamond earrings would really light up Meghan's face in contrast to the subdued colour of her dress.

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  36. sigh. the fit. again. this time, it was too tight. really, she has such wonderful looks, but they almost all need a tweak here or there, and usually its about fit. she needs a good tailor.
    and i agree about the darts in the bust- today and at the RAF. they are a little awkward and remind me of anne hathaway's prada oscars dress (which is not a good thing).

    Annie,
    NY, USA

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  37. Jessica in Los Angeles11 July 2018 at 16:51

    I actually really love this dress! The color is muted so the design elements can stand out. Perfect for the occasion and for repeats.

    The fit is unfortunate though. I feel like the tailoring in the bust was an issue with the dark navy she just wore (was that Dior?) and especially with this one. Perhaps some lining and a looser fit would have helped. This was just distracting because I just see BRA in every shot. Love the look, just not the fit.

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  38. Beautiful dress! I bet that the bra wasn’t noticeable in the mirror, but shows up in pictures. That’s happened to me before, unfortunately. Another covetable handbag! And yay for bling-y earrings :)

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  39. Tammy from California11 July 2018 at 16:56

    I think she looked beautiful again! The only criticism I have is that the dress was either too fitted or made of a material that made it possible to see her entire wardrobe underneath. I felt like all I could stare at was her strapless bra. In one photo I felt like I could see her skin dimples as she walked and possibly a panty line. I am not sure, so I will chalk it up to the photo. Her earrings are beautiful.

    I will note here that I think it's interesting that both duchesses (Kate and Meghan) seem to choose one jeweler that they really like and stick with their accessories. Kate, a fan of Kiki McDonough and Meghan a fan of Birks. Interesting to me.

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  40. Sorry, but that dress is just too tight! You can see every outline of her undergarments. Not cool! Otherwise, she looks beautiful.

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  41. I love the style of this look but, as others have said, it looks too tight in the bra region which is unfortunate. Plus, I am again disappointed by the choice in colour ... It's so dull... I loved the green two piece outfit she had on when arriving in Ireland but apart from that, I find her choice in colours the last few days disappointing. But again, she is beautiful and her style is gorgeous.

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  42. As the Duchess of Sussex and her designers look at pictures and receive appropriate critiques, adjustments will be made. I believe the Duke and Duchess of Sussex want to represent the Queen in the most excellent way. Great observations. Thanks, Charlotte. I don’t know much about Ireland, at all. So, I have enjoyed reading this post.

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  43. I adore this dress - colour and style - just not on Meghan. First, I don't find this boatneck style flattering on her. Second, as many have pointed out, there's a problem with undergarments showing. Meghan has a lovely physique; however, she's short-waisted and has a "boxy" torso so in my opinion, should steer clear of the boatnecks in favour of round or V-necks.

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  44. I love her color palette, totally me. I have a hard time wearing anything but black,white, navy, beige, grey etc. the dress is beautiful! It’s so stylish and I think very much her choice.....but... if it is bespoke, then it should fit properly. I expect she will learn how different outfits photograph as time goes on. Even if she doesn’t read the articles in the tabloids I would imagine she does look at pictures to see how an outfit looks through the camera lens. She looked lovely and happy!

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  45. Love the dogs! :D Bród (pronounced brode) means "pride," and I've often seen it used in the context of pride for Irish culture and language. The broadcaster RTÉ had a campaign called "Show your Bród," encouraging people to use whatever Irish they had, even if it was just a few years. Síoda (pronounced halfway between SHEE-uh-da and SHEE-da) means silky. I'm guessing Bród is a boy and Síoda is a girl.

    Wish the bodice on this one (and yesterday's at the RAF service) didn't look uncomfortably tight, otherwise, lovely! But then again, every outfit is improved by dogs.

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    1. Sorry, "just a few words", not years.

      Also, Uachtarán is related to uachtar, cream. The uachtarán is at the top of the people like the cream rises to the top of the milk. I love Irish Gaelic :)

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  46. ILoveElephants11 July 2018 at 19:45

    The two dogs are sooooo cute. I want to pet them.

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  47. The Duchess looks beautiful, well groomed from head to toe, love the makeup, subtle, but not a fan of the dress, personal preference only, the colour is beautiful. She is doing really well on this tour, so pleased for Harry that he has found happiness

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  48. The dogs stole my heart! They were just wonderful, and loved Meghan and Harry. Very sweet video with President and Mrs Higgins.

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  49. Anonymous - Thank you so much for alerting me to that comment, it has been removed. My apologies for the delay in getting back to you.

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  50. Ok. There it is. Her first „on duty“ all over miss in my opinion. I don’t think the colour suits her and the fit of the bodice is horrendous. It looks as if both bodice and bra are way to tight.
    Well, of course it had to happen at some point. No one can produce only wins.
    C.

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    1. I haven't commented before, but I truly appreciate this site. I'm a huge fan of Meghan, and this is the best place to follow her. Thank you, Charlotte. But I, too, was quite horrified by the bodice of this dress. I was so embarrassed for her, I had to look away. I'm a former amateur seamstress/tailor, and this fit would never be allowed. Doesn't Meghan have someone to help make sure her clothes fit well? I hope she will get that help soon to prevent another one of these. My favorite from this trip was the black dress she wore to the garden party.

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  51. Does anyone know what blush/bronzer Meghan uses? It doesn't look to be NARS ... and it is divine.

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  52. Wonderful and successful visit to Ireland for the Duke and Duchess of Sussex. I so happy Harry has found such a lovely woman to share his life with. They are a fantastic team and I thought Meghan was amazing on this visit! She came prepared, we saw brief but meaningful conversations, she has sartorial elegance; a lovely foundation to build upon for her new role.

    It’s really nice to not only see pictures, but also the video. There seems to be a good rapport between the Sussexes and President Higgins and his wife. Sabina Higgins is also a former actress, perhaps she and Meghan shared experiences in moving publicly to new roles. I find relationship building and bringing attention to important causes more important than the colour of an outfit. I’m happy for Meghan, the Royal Family is fortunate to have such an intelligent and articulate woman in the family.

    Dena

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  53. I think Meghan's dark blue retro dress for the 100th Anniversary of the RAF was a better fit and seemed to have a built-in foundation. This would've been the way to go for the gray boatneck dress. I know Diana had many dresses that had a built-in foundation (although they were typically evening or cocktail dresses).

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  54. Agree on this being a big miss for me. No on the color and the fit is awful. Not just the bra area but it’s quite revealing all around. No. On another note—-would love to see a post about her great jewelry. Did she already own these pieces or is she sticking PC with the bill lol!!

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  55. Oh England, I was rooting for you! But it was a well fought battle all the way. I'm sorry Harry returned home to disappointment after the lovely visit to Ireland. William must be very disappointed, too.

    Thank you, Charlotte, for the three lovely and detailed posts, right on top of the important events of the early week. You are a treasure.

    As for your question about which outfit we thought was best, I preferred the black dress for the evening event. It was lovely on Meghan. I do think she wore too much grey and black in the daytime. The pantsuit is quite nice, but maybe in a muted color.

    The two day dresses just did not fit properly, though the green was a nice arrival color. As I was looking at the pictures of the grey dress, I wondered if anyone would comment about the bra and the crazy darts! Indeed, you all did. I did not see a comment, however, about the visible line of the inner facing at the top of the bodice. That really reveals the need for a lining. The problems with this style were not so visible in the dark Mouret dress Meghan wore in the evening. They are glaring in the grey. The skirt was very interesting, but it deserved a well made bodice.

    Meghan looked lovely throughout, and she was focused and charming with everyone she met, including the beautiful Bernese mountain dogs. I recall that President Higgins had a fine time with the Queen when he visited England. He and his wife were lovely hosts for Meghan and Harry.

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  56. PS I can understand getting off a plane with a substantial bag, but why the huge bag for the visit to President and Mrs. Higgins? That seemed a bit odd. Possibly it contained gifts? But if so, where were her aides? As for the earrings, surely she chose them for their three part structure, similar to shamrocks. I liked those, and the ones she wore the day before.

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  57. Annette New Zealand12 July 2018 at 04:24

    I wonder if they deliberately chose that particular page of the Book of Kells because the saint pictured has curly red hair and a darker ginger moustache and beard which mirror's Harrys? And of course it is a nod to Meghan's love of calligraphy.

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  58. I don't like this dress. It's an unpleasant color and the fit is all wrong.
    The darts on the chest draw attention to the ill- fit and visible undergarment.
    She has been on a sartorial roll lately, so this is disappointing.

    I love her earrings, shoes, and bag. The bag is probably too big for the occasion, but this woman has the BEST accessories!

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  59. elsie risinger12 July 2018 at 20:48

    I like this style, not so crazy about the color though. I would like to say that this dress is too small for her in the bust. If you notice the darts come all the way over her bust line which indicates that this is too small the darts should come right up the sides of the body and end at the point of the bust line. some one else said that this was too long waisted for her and I agree. I noticed the same thing in the dusty pink dress that she wore to the garden party for Prince Charles right after the wedding. I hope she is going to start having more custom made soon and that will take care of the problems.

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  60. She looks utterly sophisticated, classy and gorgeous I love it

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  61. This comment is not directed at any one person.
    I realise a certain mount of duplication of remarks results because some comments have not been posted at the time we write. We each have our opinions; however, when comment after comment parrots the same negative remark...isn't there a cut off point? Could we first check out the other comments before posting and if they are heavy on one, negative theme, find something else to say, hopefully in a positive vein? On the other hand, I personally think there is never enough attention paid to the kind and gentle response.
    From the little I have seen of social media, this kind of response is common there. Jump on the bandwagon. Follow the lead sheep over the precipice. Didn't mean to sound so cynical.
    I objected to this process on DK and I object to it here. I find discussions of underwear indelicate and unnecessary. I can only imagine how difficult the decisions Charlotte must make between allowing free discussion yet editing overkill. She is bound to be criticised either way.


    On another note: I am looking forward to watching royal women at Wimbledon this weekend. A bit of wish fulfillment for those of us who admire both of the Duchesses...together again!
    I do have a question why Catherine's official Patron duties will be on Saturday rather than Sunday, when she is accompanied by William. Just sort of hit me funny. She has been the patron in charge at other of their joint engagements and I think William is very supportive and defers to her, even staying behind and letting her lead the event. Perhaps they want Sunday's attendance to be a personal, sort of date occasion, while getting business out of the way Saturday. That makes sense to me. I would love to see another big bear hug like we saw at the Olympics, I believe it was. I doubt they have that much chance to get away just the two of them--although it will be in front of the entire world. Not much privacy.

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Welcome to Mad About Meghan! We do so look forward to reading your thoughts. Constructive, fair debate is always encouraged. Hateful, derogatory terms and insults are not welcome here. This space focuses on Harry and Meghan, not any other member of the Royal family. It's not the place to discuss politics either. Thank you for reading, we look forward to your comments :)