Thursday 25 October 2018

The Duchess Makes a Royally Stylish Arrival in Tongan Red!

Following their final engagement and departure from Fiji, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex took a chartered flight to Tonga for the next leg of the tour.


The two-day programme will see Harry and Meghan attend an official dinner hosted by his His Majesty King Tupou VI and Queen Nanasipauʻu, unveil two dedications to the Queen's Commonwealth Canopy, attend a local exhibition, meet locals Tongan traders and craftsman and visit the oldest secondary school in the Pacific. The Palace said "There is a long history of friendship between The Royal Family and Tonga", adding the Duke and Duchess look forward to experiencing "unique cultures and customs" and "look forward to building an enduring relationship with the people of the country".


Her Majesty has made three visits to the Kingdom of Tonga - including this visit to the country in 1977 with The Duke of Edinburgh.


Russell Myers reports: "Meghan and Harry were greeted on the runway at Fua'amotu Airport by Princess Angelika Latufuipeka, the only daughter and eldest child of of King Tupou VI and Queen Nanasipau'u Tuku'aho. She became Tonga’s High Commissioner to Australia when her father became king." The Princess is the lady in the cream ensemble, she will join the couple for engagements tomorrow. If you look closely, you can see Harry and Meghan's temporary private secretary Samantha Cohen and senior adviser David Manning deplaning. 


They were also welcomed by Semisi Sika, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure and Tourism, Ambassador Mahe.


Harry and Meghan chatting with a young girl participating in the official welcome.


Scenes from the ceremony.


Royal reporters noted well-wishers and local children lined over fifteen kilometers to welcome the royals.


A video from the arrival.


The Duchess looked lovely in a Tongan red Self-Portrait dress for the arrival. It's the first time we've seen Meghan in a red dress for an official royal appearance. As a major fan of the colour, I was delighted to see she chose it whilst incorporating a touch of sartorial diplomacy. It's one of my favourite looks of the tour thus far.


Meghan's dress is a shorter version of the Pleated Floral Gown. The piece is described as: "Crafted from a super-lightweight crepe fabric, this luxurious gown from Self-Portrait features sheer sleeves decorated with button detailing to the cuffs. The belted waist emphasises the feminine figure whileladylike floral embroidery and a pleated skirt creates a flattering silhouette."


This image offers a closer look at the beautiful embroidery.


Meghan wore her navy Manolo Blahnik BB pumps from this morning.


And Meghan carried her bespoke Dior clutch.


We'll see Harry and Meghan at an official dinner tonight.

80 comments:

  1. Great color for Meghan. Beautiful especially against her dark hair. I am very familiar with the Self Portrait label. I feel badly for her in that she has outgrown her clothing choices (in a very beautiful way). I am sure all her fashion choices were made months before anticipating an early (?) shift in her body from her breasts to her tummy. This is a lovely dress as can be seen on the model and not the fault of the designer that Meghan has made it into an umpire style rathe then a natural waste. It is probably good that we remember the reason for her clothing sizing being off as we critique her choices. When all is said and done she is a beautiful mother in waiting.

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    1. I was noticing the same thing. Thank you for saying it so diplomatically. It must be hard to plan how much your body will change and when, especially your first time around. This is why I was all in favour of the pink flowy dress others didn’t love. That billowy look works for comfort and can still be dressy, even if not to everyone’s style taste (but I loved it, pregnant or not!)

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    2. I actually think this dress works great with her changing body:):), if I had not seen photos from the desingers' photo shoots I would never have assumed it was not meant to be empire style:):), She looks wonderful and I have to say my only quibble is I do not think this shade of red is the best for her:).

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    3. True, and I thought the same thing. But it's not like she couldn't have purchased something similar last minute, and saved this for later.

      I hope this isn't going to be another case of eschewing maternity styles for clothes one can still squeeze one's bump into, and call it good. Kate's best pregnancy looks were by Sarephine, imo, and were all designed to flatter a fuller figure.

      I thought Pippa did a better job of wearing non-maternity styles throughout her pregnancy; she got away with it because she chose mostly forgiving silhouettes like the pink dress Meghan wore the other day.

      As for the shade, though, this red looks fantastic on Meghan!

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    4. You can see the fabric pulling. Look at the horizontal strains on the shoulder and beside the bust. It’s too tight. She of course is beautiful though! I hope there are some bigger back-up dresses for her to choose from for the next few days or that some can be arranged. It’s not just how it looks, clothes when they are tight like that aren’t comfortable and she’s already contending with long, busy, days and pregnancy!

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    5. I am also not a fan of the shade of red for her or the details shown on the model. The dress looks much better on Meghan than on the model though. You really can’t predict how your body changes through pregnancy. Even with a second- you can never be a 100% sure how and when the changes will show. The dress doesn’t fit but in my opinion it actually makes the dress look better than what I imagine it would have looked like.
      C.

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  2. She looks so pretty! She is blossoming away. I definitely see it in her face.

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  3. Enjoying the Duchess of Sussex in red and she looks very happy, beautiful smile. Charlotte, you are so quick with your posting. We really appreciate all your diligence. Thank you very much.

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  4. Love the color she does seem to be color coding regions. I was checking out PIppa Small wish I could afford some of her earrings but 850 pounds for laboradorite (semi precious) seems insane. Jealous of her ability to buy cool jewelry without regard to price

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  5. Lovely dress, great color, but the navy blue shoes IMO don't really go with the red dress. I think black pumps might have worked better. Also, I hope Harry and Meghan get some rest because they both look really tired. Just from that opening picture (as well as the picture of them leaving Fiji) both have smiles that don't quite reach the eyes, and that's usually a big tell of being tired.

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  6. LOVE! Best look of the tour so far!!

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  7. Courtney from NC25 October 2018 at 04:46

    She looks smashing in red!

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  8. Charlotte thank you for your gigantic effort! You are a trooper! Enjoy your blog very much.

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  9. I got my sparkly red dress, more or less. I think it will enjoy watching her public wardrobe develop for years to come.

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  10. Is anyone counting? When we first learned of 76 appointments on H&M tour I immediately thought of the number of changes that may be required. I guessed the possible appearance of 32 fashion statements. To date I "think" we have had 18 for Meghan and far less for Harry. But, he is a typical man and I must say looks oh so goooood in wrinkled linen, chambray, khaki, business suit, tuxedo or military uniform. Has anyone kept count and is it less then expected or is it just me. I do know we have days to go.

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    1. I’ve liked all of Harry’s fashion choices so far! And Meghan’s, for that matter, too :)

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    2. USA Granny, I'm doing something I've never done before - taking a copy of Meghan's outfits just to keep track of color choices. So far, including the red dress, she's had 21 outfits!

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  11. Whoops! The tag is still hanging from the hem! Lovely dress, though.

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    1. Where do you see a tag?? Thanks

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    2. ali, the Daily Mail had a whole headline devoted to it 😬

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  12. Thank you, Charlotte, for your posts. I am new to your blog and I enjoy your updates immensely.
    As for Meghan's outfit, I LOVE the colour, but thinking it could have done without the belt? Would have loved a nude heel and clutch to finish out the look (IMHO).

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  13. I love this vibrant red, it compliments her dark hair beautifully. My choice would have been for some wonderful red shoes & bag to match.

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  14. The Daily Mail is reporting there is a tag hanging off her dress. How could her style team have let that happen??

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    1. I was thinking the same thing...

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    2. Her style team has done pretty well so far but this was a mistake. Also I hope they get her some dresses that fit her better. It looks from the last few days that they weren’t planning for her pregnancy to show as much this early.

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    3. I actually am glad she is just wearing what was planned and not worrying about the fits. Good for her.

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    4. Does she have a style team, beyond her friend Jessica? I could be wrong, but I thought Jessica was the one advising her. If so, she needs to get a real stylist pronto. Things like this - a tag still on, a dress not perfectly tailored to her - would not be happening if she actually had a stylist.

      If she does have a stylist, she needs to find a new one.

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    5. Ali, I agree and she looks so good.

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  15. She looks so radiant in red. Everyone finally got their color they’ve been wishing for. I don’t mind the fit as empire. The only bummer is the fact that on other sites it shows the tag still hanging from the bottom of the dress. Not a huge deal, but I’m sure critics will pick her apart. And unfortunate that no staff noticed before they exited the plane. Other than that she looks smashing. I’m sure she will cringe when she sees the photos printed of the tag. Excited to see more colorful looks ahead!

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    1. I don't see a tag. On the photo above, under the young Queen and Phillip, from the side it looks like something white hanging from skirt. It is the lighter space between the man's shoes. Looks like a paper on my small screen, like pavement on my big screen. Is there another picture that shows a tag?
      (Who tags the bottom of dresses, BTW)

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    2. The photos here don’t show it. Look on daily mail or Instagram.

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    3. Regarding who tags the bottom of a dress: The dress is actually a floor length maxi dress but it looks like Meghan had it cut short after purchasing it. If it had been made to order to this length, the tag would have been placed higher.

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  16. Wow what a beautiful colour and it suits her so well. Love the embroidery but the 30s-40s cut is what Im unsure about. For me I love the length, full skirt and the silhouette but the waist area looks a little frumpy to me. It may only be the fact her waist is thickening but that is where it falls short for me. Love teaming it with navy accessories too.

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    1. If it wasn’t so tight but still fitted it would look better. If I am playing stylist, I would have recommended she wear the back-up, slightly larger red dress I packed for her (because I am awesome) and this one is saved for a later date.

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    2. I think it would have been stunning by simply removing the belt and beltloops.

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    3. The dress is gorgeous, and she looks fabulous in red. I do feel empathy for her about having to fit into a dress that's too small (not always b/c of pregnancy in my case!!). She looks fine, but I know she is uncomfortable.

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  17. Love the dress and red looks great on her. There are pics of the dress on Dailymail with the tad hanging on the bottom. Who is responsible for getting her clothes ready. There should be someone to help her particularly on a long tour like this. She is probably exhausted and have to remember so many things that there should have been someone to take care of the minor details involved in this tour. I'll bet she is the kind of girl that won't let it bother her. Anyway she seems to be enjoying every moment and is doing a fantastic job. All good press in the US on this couple :)

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  18. It is very interesting that we are accustom to seeing several members of W&K team around them when on tours or even during local walkabouts in and out of the UK. What I have noticed is the complete opposite with H&M on tour. While I know well they have a team of ten with them the team has been very discrete almost as if they are not present. I wonder if this is the wish of the couple or perhaps the photo ops are being shot differently. We did have the opportunity to see their head of security for the first time at the market in Tonga and now the temporary private secretary for Meghan. I am wondering where that lovely looking blonde assistant we often see helping Meghan with flowers and gifts has gone.

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    1. I actually have never been much aware of any of the BRF's team, from the Queen through all the siblings and kids and grandkids, I think all the help around the BRF is good at fading into the background, except when the press makes a point of "pointing" them out:):). Actually this is true of almost all Political figures around the world and celebrity figures, their aides and security teams all seem to do a good job of staying in the background.

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    2. USA Granny, I feel like we are seeing quite a bit of H&M's team as well. Amy Pickerill (the lovely blonde) is often seen, as well as the head of security (I have first noticed her at Bondi Beach but I am pretty sure she was seen before). But I would not be surprised if it was H&M's wish for their team to be really low key dzring the tour.
      Ella from Europe

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  19. She looks so beautiful! You can't see it in any of the pictures here but I cannot believe her assistants didn't cut the price tag off the hem of the dress. How embarrassing (and an odd place for a pricetag). That really shouldn't be happening at this stage. I remember when they didn't cut the little stitch off her coat she wore to an engagement pre-wedding, it wasn't a big deal and not noticeable but this is noticeable. I hope for her sake it's cut off by the time they have the dinner tonight or she is wearing another outfit. In the grand scheme of things it's not a big deal but she's one of the most famous women in the world right now and she deserves better. And her haters will love this I bet :(

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    1. I would have thought she'd have tried on all the tour clothes at home. And if the tag/label wasn't removed then, it would have been during the packing process that I expect was done by her staff. It's not as though anyone thought she might return the altered dress! Odd.

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  20. She looks fantastic! Red isn't a color I can wear but I love seeing it on others. Lovely dress.

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  21. What a wonderful colour on Meghan. She looks beautiful as usual, and I really like the flow of the dress in motion. I don't know what to make of these pictures where there appears to be a tag hanging from the lining of the dress and some other pictures where you simply see the lovely flow of the hem. It looks beautifully swishy.

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    1. It is odd how it doesn't show in all the pics, even from behind. Maybe someone behind her saw it early on and took care of it. Anyway, it is not a big deal. She has changed clothes again. :)
      I think the tour must be exhausting for everyone. She is stunning in red.

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  22. Just realized that Meghan seems to favor round necklines on this trip. I don't think we've seen a bateau neckline at all. I shouldn't think any maternity clothes would have been included in the tour wardrobe, so It must be a daily struggle now to make the clothes work since the baby is causing her body to change so much ins such a short period of time!

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  23. Its looks like she wearing white dress in outdoor dinner for dukd and duchess of sussex they kook lovely

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  24. Don't think it's a price tag. Looks like a label of some kind.

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  25. Beautiful color and style. I definitely prefer this than the previous green dress. She looked great with the burgundy dress in QLD, so I vote fhis sort of red-burgundy hues. Harry could have worn a reddish tie, too...:)
    She is blossoming, indeed.

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  26. Beautiful dress, looks fab in the shorter length! But, is it just me or is it lifting over her bump? I understand that her figure is changing but with all the help (and money!) She has to hand, it could have been adjusted.

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    1. Nicole from France25 October 2018 at 08:04

      You mean having a seamstress in the’ plane ? Ahahahaha is it really very important ? She definitely looks fine even with this little rather sympathetic detail .....

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    2. It’s not hard to let a seam out or pack a back up option. Or buy a back up option. Why spend all this time on clothes and changing I’d the fit is off? I am sympathetic. I do think her team could be doing better for her here.

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  27. The best look of the tour. Red is just wonderful on her, makes her skin glow. I really like the style and the navy accessories. The bodice is a mite snug but I prefer that to all her voluminous silhouettes that swamp her figure.

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  28. Beautiful dress I adore it and she looks great in red. I love seeing her baby bump

    Thanks Charlotte

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  29. Steph from Canberra25 October 2018 at 07:20

    Today is a win all round for me so far. Loving both looks today - gorgeous dresses and the colours really suit Meghan.

    I can't believe how much her body seems to have changed in such a short space of time. I hope she has some clothes that will still fit comfortably for the final days of the tour!

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  30. Ok I saw the tag photos, clearly someone ran up and detached the red tag after a few moments:):), And yes the white fabric identification etc label should have been cut out, she and her designers will now know to make sure all those extra tags are clipped off.:):)

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  31. Silvia from Tuscany25 October 2018 at 07:35

    I'm happy she decided to wear red! Not an easy colour, but beautiful on her. The dress is one of my favourites by far. I like the cut, the long sleeves, the embroidery details, the lenght and the pleated skirt. Very nice!

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  32. Nicole from France25 October 2018 at 08:01

    Not a great fan of the « ladylike floral embroideries »....... too ladylike, actually !!!! But the dress itself is lovely, easily flowing around Meghan , just for the fun : it was time for Meghan to wear it, she probably would’not have fitted in next week .... LOL.... I like that she wears her own jewels, the earrings to day are beautifull !

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  33. Following all your comments I need to agree that I do not like the shape/ fit (due to wonderful reason) but the color.
    However did anybody wonder (like me) that the duchess looks uncertain while departing? She was always all smiles and happy but now she looks uneasy. Might be due to the schedule or pregnancy. Hope she will recover soon. All the best.

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  34. Red is definitely her color. She looks terrific. M&H both look so happy. I love the hand holding. Nlopez

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  35. Yay! Have been waiting for red! I am starting to wonder if Meghan will choose neutrals when undertaking engagements where the focus is on the work carried out by organisations and individuals, and then for engagements like these, where the focus is international relations and celebrating a nation's culture, she will go vivid and colorful. I know I am overthinking things...but I would have done it that way, if I had been in her position.

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    1. Now that I’ve seen her in the beautiful teal and emrald and red I would love colour all the time. She looks so great in it!

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  36. Lovely color. I said it on a previous post but it looks like she didn’t anticipate how quickly your body changes with pregnancy. It’s unfortunate because had this dress fit properly it would have been smashing!

    I do so hope she gets some proper maternity wear when she returns home. Kate looked best while pregnant when she wore actual maternity pieces and it seems like it will be the same for Meghan.

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  37. I read that a tag was forgotten when she got off the plane. I can’t believe that her PA didn’t notice it!

    https://mobile.twitter.com/RE_DailyMail/status/1055306682442477569

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  38. Meghan looks beautiful in red! A spectacular choice. She should wear red more. Kathy from NJ

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  39. Considering the number of engagements; the number of changes of clothes; this being the Duchess of Sussex FIRST major tour; working with an entourage in a global “all eyes” on you posture and being pregnant, IMHO, the Duke and Duchess have done extremely well. These tours are not easy, even with an experienced entourage becuz they’re just people; Experts in their respective areas but still people, subject to make errors. Thank you, Charlotte. Again and again, you exceed my expectations.

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  40. Re experts making errors. The Duchess of Sussex “lady in waiting” or someone did NOT give the Duchess a final check before departing the plane. It is being reported that a tag was seen still attached to her dress. See, people just make errors. Of course, I’m sure, this won’t happen AGAIN. Still, the Duchess looked beautiful.

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  41. Love the color and the nod to Tonga but this is a miss. Sheer sleeves for a daytime arrival with a fancy clutch. Seems a bit much. I also think her hair dresser should get busy. And while I’m on a rant - stop holding hands!!!! She’s supposedly a feminist and an independent woman.

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    1. So am I, but I regularly hold hands with my spouse, and we have been married for eight years! It symbolizes unity and mutual affection, and is not anti-feminist or anti-independent.

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  42. I'm sure this has been discussed before and I missed it, but what mascara does she use?

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  43. The way both Meghan and Kate mix and match black and Navy has me rethinking my personal style rules about this, but I am not loving the Navy pumps with this red dress and black clutch. Also, losing the belt on this dress would have probably helped make her looked less squished around the middle. Poor thing does not look comfortable in this pretty dress.

    I read somewhere that her due date might be as early as beginning of April, possibly making this close to the start of her 5th month. They were smart to have announced the pregnancy at the start of the Tour, bc speculation would have been overwhelming as she shows more and more. Despite all the talk of whether it was appropriate to bring the rest of the BRF in on the news at Eugenie's wedding, I think it was very considerate of them to wait to make a public announcement until after the wedding.

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  44. She looks beautiful, as usual! Can’t believe her team didn’t see the tag hanging from her dress, even though people are making a big deal out of it, I think we are only human and we live in a sinful world, nothing is ever perfect, I think she will learn from this trip that she truly needs a pro dressing her and not her best friend. She most assuredly will hire someone next time who is nimble with needle and thread. You have to hand it to them, I think they both are trying not to require as much help as W and K, but on these official trips they will need to step up their game a bit. They seem to have brought joy to many on this trip, Diana would be so proud!!

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  45. Kelly @ 14:44, the Duchess of Sussex is a feminist but she is also a woman. As a WOMAN, the Duchess of Sussex seems to enjoy holding hands with her MAN who just happens to be a prince who seems to enjoy holding hands with his WOMAN.

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  46. To me feminism is embracing your feminine side, acting like a women, not competing with a man, let the men be men, never understood why a feminist tries to be like man, it’s like, trying to be something you’re not-fake, I love that Meghan is a professed feminist and Still dresses and acts like a lady!! Long live beautiful feminists!!!

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  47. Indigoisle @12:31. Very well said.

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