Tuesday 5 March 2019

UPDATED: The Duchess Goes For Gold For Reception Marking Charles' 50 Years as Prince of Wales

It was a special family event for the Duke and Duchess of Sussex today, as they attended a reception hosted by the Queen to mark the 50th anniversary of the investiture of the Prince of Wales.


The event marked the perfect occasion to celebrate the milestone with Her Majesty, Camilla, William and Kate, Harry and Meghan and Princess Anne. Princess Margaret's children the Earl of Snowdon and Lady Sarah Chatto were also present. The reception marked Charles' decades of service to the UK and Commonwealth and an an opportunity to celebrate with a range of Welsh charities, organisations and businesses.


Prince Charles was created Prince of Wales aged 9 on July 26th 1958 and was formally invested with the title by the Queen on July 1st 1969 at Caernarfon Castle. Before the Investiture, Charles spent a term at the University College of Wales at Aberystwyth, learning to speak Welsh.


During the Investiture ceremony, after Prince Charles had the coronet and robes placed on him, he pledged his allegiance to The Queen with the words: ‘I, Charles, Prince of Wales do become your liege man of life and limb’. 


Hannah Furness shared The Daily Telegraph cover from the day of the investiture. 


In 2017, Charles became the longest serving Prince of Wales in history.


Guests included leading figures in Welsh and UK public life, as well as representatives from the Prince of Wales’s many Welsh charities and patronages, including The Prince’s Trust Cymru, Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod and the BBC National Orchestra & Chorus of Wales.


Discussion quickly turned to Baby Sussex. More from The Telegraph:

'The Falklands veteran Simon Weston, 57, who suffered severe burns and has since become known for his charity work, spoke at length to the Duke of Sussex. He said: “It was wonderful to be invited to these celebrations to mark 50 years since the Prince of Wales investiture. “I was 7 years old at the time so I’ve got a lot to thank him for - such as the day off school and the jelly and ice-cream at the street party. I watched it at my grandmother’s house in our village called Nelson.”
Weston, President of charity DEBRA, which supports individuals and families affected by Epidermolysis Bullosa , said he and the Duke of Sussex spoke about wound healing and a new laser treatment to deal with scar tissue following an engagement on the topic in Birmingham yesterday.
He added: “We also joked about Wales defeating England in the Six nations rugby. “I also warned him and the duchess it serves him right as they will be getting plenty of sleepless nights when the baby is born. “He said if they have anymore than two it will serve him right."
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex also spoke to Patrick Holden, a campaigner for organic food and long-time associate of the prince. “We talked about the Prince of Wales’s leadership in the field of sustainable agriculture, and how the farm at Highgrove is one of the most important exemplars of sustainable farming practice. It is an example of the prince’s vision made flesh.”
He said the Duchess also expressed her concerns about America food production practices, in a discussion on a topic close to the Prince of Wales's own heart. “The duchess is very well aware of how industrial US food systems have become, and the need to make a change. There was a lot of conversation about badly wrong the US food systems are, and how we need to act.'

Meghan chatted with Welsh Secretary Alun Cuirns.


The Mail Online reports He asked "How are you doing? I'm sure everyone is asking? Meghan replied: 'I look rather different than the last time you saw me', she joked gesturing at her bump. 'Yes it's sweet, we're nearly there', Meghan added.'


The Duke and Duchess chatted with representatives from Hiut Denim. Readers will recall Meghan wore black jeans by the Welsh brand in Cardiff last year, which led to a three month waiting list with customers from all over the world eager to purchase a pair. The impact was transformative for the small company. Co-Founder David Hieatt said they chatted about means of lessening the impact of denim on the planet.


'Meghan wore the brand’s Dina jeans in blackthis link opens in a new tab during an official tour of Cardiff with her Harry last year. And it meant major changes for Hiut, the denim label owned by husband-and-wife duo David and Clare Hieatt.
“The Meghan Markle Effect is real!” David Hieatt, who owns the denim label with his wife, Claire, previously told PEOPLE.
“Meghan is picking companies with a purpose or a mission — or dare I say it, a soul,” said Hieatt. “We have the skills here, and that’s what we are fighting for.”
Meghan and Harry are currently putting the final touches on their new home in Windsor. And after celebrating her baby shower with close friends in New York City last month, Meghan is back to official royal business, showing no signs of slowing down ahead of her April due date.
“She’s a worker; she loves to work,” a source told PEOPLE. “She loves to do good. So for her, it’s just fun.”

The founders recently made a terrific documentary chronicling their journey and 'The Meghan Effect'. "For a small company you dream about that moment".


Prince Charles with members of Stereophonics.


Camilla, wearing a green dress by Bruce Oldfield and the Prince of Wales Feathers brooch, met members of the band.


Hannah Furness writes:

'Guests at the reception included members of the band The Stereophonics, who were supported in their early days by a grant from the Prince’s Trust. Kelly Jones, the singer and lead guitarist, said: “We applied for a couple of grants from the Prince’s Trust. We needed some money for some speakers. Prince Charles came down to Pontypridd, and we met him. We had some funding from them. It was lovely to meet him, and nice to get some speakers.'
“It was the first time we could afford to buy some speakers. My dad was a singer, so I stole a lot of his equipment. I think they gave us one grant for 500 quid and one for 800 quid. At that time it was a lot of money for us.'

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge meeting guests.


Princess Anne enjoys a joke during the reception. 


Charles has been a constant source of support and guidance for Meghan since she met him during the early months of her relationship with Harry. Charles stepped in at the last minute to walk Meghan down the aisle; he was also instrumental in offering advice and helping to select the wedding music, however, it was the unwavering support and kindness he showed Meghan's mother Doria from the moment she arrived in London that particularly touched Meghan. During her speech at the wedding reception, the Duchess thanked Charles. The Standard reported: "It was important to her to make a point of thanking him publicly, although, of course, he knows privately how she feels." In August, Harry and Meghan joined Charles for a relaxing week at the Castle of Mey, the Queen Mother's former residence in Scotland.


In a piece for The Telegraph, Camilla Tominey shed further light on their close bond:

'For the Telegraph can reveal the pair have struck up what sources have described as a “close bond” over a “shared love of art and culture”. As well as acting as Meghan’s “mentor” on matters of royal and constitutional history, the prince is also understood to have been educating the former actress about the masterpieces in the Royal Collection since she married into the Firm.
An insider revealed: “Meghan has been learning about all the royal history through her time spent with the prince. They have a shared love of history, art and culture, and that’s the common ground between them. The Duchess has shown a genuine interest in learning more about the history of the family she has married into and her father-in-law has been delighted to impart some of his knowledge.”
Having stayed with Charles and Camilla at the Castle of Mey, on the north coast of Scotland, last summer, and with the prince heavily involved in the couple’s Windsor wedding last May, Meghan has taken time to get to know her father-in-law. Charles was acutely aware of how devastated the couple were when Mr Markle backed out of the wedding at the last minute after suffering a heart attack.
Both Harry and Meghan were in tears – and it was Charles’s offer to walk Meghan down the aisle that helped calm down what was a fraught situation in the run-up to the May nuptials. The trio are now in regular touch over the renovations to the Sussexes new Windsor home, Frogmore Cottage, which is currently undergoing a £3 million refurb, with Meghan taking the lead.'

I generally notice we tend to see plenty of interaction between Charles and Meghan when they are attending the same events.


At 2.00 in the video below, he stops on the way in the chat to her for a few moments.


Meghan and Anne enjoying a chat.


The royals viewed investiture regalia worn by the Prince of Wales in 1969.


Items included the Investiture Coronet, Sword, Ring and Rod, as well as the Letters Patent for the creation of Charles, Duke of Cornwall as Prince of Wales in 1958.


The Investiture Coronet was designed by the architect and goldsmith Louis Osman (1914-1996) and given to The Queen by the Goldsmith’s Company for The Prince of Wales’s Investiture. The Royal Collection Trust shares more information: "It is 24 carat gold, with the 4 Crosses Patées and the 4 fleur-de-Lys made from a nugget of Welsh gold, reinforced with platinum and decorated with diamonds and emeralds. The orb mounted on the top of the arch was engraved by Malcolm Appleby with The Prince of Wales’s insignia. This is surrounded by 13 diamonds arranged as the constellation of Scorpio, The Prince of Wales’s star sign. The diamonds set horizontally represent the 7 Gifts of God on one side and the 7 deadly sins on the other."


The Queen looked wonderful in a purple dress and jacket by Stewart Parvin. You'll notice her dress perfectly matches Charles' tie.


During a speech the Archbishop of Canterbury said:

'Never in the history of the role can there have been such dedicated service, such honourable fulfilling of the promise at the Investiture, ‘I, Charles, Prince of Wales, do become your liege man of life and limb and of earthly worship, and faith and truth I bear unto you, to live and die against all manner of folks. 
Service was in the oath, and service has marked the 50 years, service often publicly unnoticed, unseen. A role has been imagined and developed, different to that of the Sovereign, probing, asking, suggesting and prompting, yet always in the service of Crown and country, under God. The Investiture was unique. Seldom can a coming-of-age have had such a setting; seldom can the weight of expectation have been so great.
In years since then, we have seen how the honour of being granted that title has been richly repaid – in The Prince of Wales’s love for the country whose name he bears, and in the deep respect he has always shown for the land, for the language, and most of all, of course, for the people.'

The reception culminated with a musical performance in the Ballroom by students from the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama, of which Charles is patron.

The Duchess selected a striking retro silver and gold floral-embellished brocade dress for the event. I'll update if the designer is confirmed.


A closer look at the floral detail.


Meghan teamed the coat with her crisp Amanda Wakeley Crombie coat. The $1,190 piece is described as "A pristinely cut coat will pull your entire seasonal wardrobe together, and none come more elegant than our sculpted tailoring Crombie coat." It's available in limited sizing at Orchard Mile.
Meghan first wore the sculpted coat for the Commonwealth Day service last year and wore it again last month for a gala performance of 'The Wider Earth' at the Natural History Museum.


The Duchess teamed the look with her Paul Andrew 'Pump It Up' shoes.


Meghan carried her Wilbur & Gussie Charlie Oyster clutch.

The Duchess accessorised with her $375 Birks Gold Bar earrings.


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In other news, Harry and Meghan enjoyed a date night at Tina The Musical on Saturday night. People reports:

'The royal parents-to-be, who are expecting their first child in April, headed across town to see Tina — The Tina Turner Musical on Saturday night. They were fulfilling a promise they made in November when they attended the Royal Variety Performance at The London Palladium, where they met some of the show’s performers and said they would like to come see the musical.
Meghan and Harry’s evening outing was revealed by the show’s social media. “We were thrilled and honoured to welcome The Duke and Duchess of Sussex to the show last night,” the musical’s official Twitter accounted tweeted.
The show’s lead, Adrienne Warren, added her excitement about having the royal couple in the audience. “They said they’d come and they did! Thank you to the Duke and Duchess of Sussex. It was an honour to have the opportunity to perform for you again!” Adrienne Warren, who plays Tina Turner in the musical, tweeted.'

We also have news regarding upcoming engagements for the Duchess:

8 March - The Duchess of Sussex will join a panel discussion convened by the Queen’s Commonwealth Trust to mark International Women’s Day. The event, hosted at King’s College London, will bring together a special panel of female thought-leaders and activists to discuss a range of issues affecting women today.
11 March - The Duke and Duchess of Sussex will join the Queen and other members of the royal family for the annual Commonwealth Day service at Westminster Abbey. The service will be televised on BBC One from 2.15 pm. 
11 March - Also on Commonwealth Day, the Duke and Duchess will attend an event at Canada House. The event will showcase and celebrate the diverse community of young Canadians living in London and around the UK.

Friday's panel should be very interesting, we can expect to hear Meghan sharing her thoughts and experiences with Annie Lennox OBE, world famous singer and founder of The Circle, an organisation supporting and empowering women’s lives around the world; Adwoa Aboah, founder of Gurls Talk, an open community where young girls can talk about the issues that matter to them; Julia Gillard, Former Prime Minister of Australia and Chair of the Global Institute for Women’s Leadership at King’s College London; Chrisann Jarrett, Founder of Let us Learn; and Angeline Murimirwa, Executive Director of the Campaign for Female Education (CAMFED) in Africa and co-founder of CAMA, a pan-African network of young female leaders. The panel will be chaired by Anne McElvoy, Senior Editor of The Economist.

119 comments:

  1. I really like this dress on her. Great colors!

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  2. She is stunning. I wait others photos. Happy to see the Sussexes again.

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  3. She looks absolutely fantastic!

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    1. I agree. She looks amazing.

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    2. She looks stunning!xoxoS

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    3. Total miss for me. She is again taking regular pieces and trying to fit into them instead of just wearing maternity wear. It simply looks like she is determined to not wear maternity wear this pregnancy which is sad because there are some brands out there that make lovely clothes for that time in a woman's life. I'll probably be crucified for saying this but there is a reason maternity clothes are made so why not embrace the obvious changes in one's body and wear clothes that actually fit.

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  4. This is such a gorgeous dress!! Good choice!

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  5. Very lovely, Meghan!

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  6. This is a miss for me. The fabric...it reminds me of curtains...

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  7. She looks lovely and that clothes i love the simpliciy of dress and i love the color

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  8. Love the look but I always feel like wearing a coat indoors (especially when others aren't) makes you look like you're ready to leave!

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    1. It makes me think that she can't take it off because something about the dress doesn't look right or fit well, maybe from the back.

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    2. If it was one of the thick outside coats Meghan seems to favour, I would agree with you, but this coat is very much part of her outfit and perfectly fine for inside.

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    3. The coat makes me think she is about to give birth in a month or so, so she is comfortable and looks lovely :)

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  9. Initial thought is the coat does not look quite right with that dress. Both are lovely, at least the dress appears to be from what little we can see, but that duo does not belong together.

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  10. She's looking so well and happy too. Gorgeous dress.

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  11. Fantastic outfit,the couple Sussex looks amazing!!

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  12. Great dress, but does anyone have a feeling this will be an end-of-March baby? The way she's standing and her posture makes me think that the baby has "dropped" as she's carrying lower than she was even a few weeks ago. I love the silver brocade dress although I'm not sure the white coat really matches. Fabulous shoes too.

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    1. That baby is a lot lower all of a sudden. Late March/Early April

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    2. I would be surprised if the baby is born later than the first week of April. I bet their baby is adorable and they will be smitten parents loving their new role.

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    3. I don't think so. It's not a lot lower. I think she's due mid April, like me. I cannot believe how slim her ankles still are. Mine are swollen every day now after work, and she's even carrying heels!

      On topic: it's a really nice outfit and she looks terrific, and very happy today.

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    4. My sister pointed out that the baby had gone sideways during the tour, so maybe it went head down and dropped, since then. Babies can drop into place as much as a month before they are ready to hatch. And sometimes when that happens, they end up coming what seems like a week or two before their due date. My first baby was tiny and about four weeks before her due date I noticed a sudden drop and it felt like I was sitting on her head when I would sit down. She came two weeks before the due date the midwife had decided on.

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  13. Really, really like the jacket! Looks like a blazer to me... is this a coat?

    Camilla

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  14. One of my favorite looks on Meghan. She looks fantastic! Love seeing repeat wearings of her great basic, neutral fashion.

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  15. Love the entire look. Beautiful dress!!

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  16. She looks stunning! I think this is one of her best maternity looks!

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  17. She looks good and I'm glad to finally see some tights on her. I wonder why she is wearing such a trivial ring right next to her gorgeous engagement ring? Not a fan of that look.

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  18. She's beaming! I love the dress and coat. I sort of wish she had picked different shoes but they're not a total miss for me. SO excited for Baby Sussex in a little over a month!!

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  19. This might be a top contender for one of my favorite maternity looks. She looks stunning in this brocade shift dress. Giving me very Jackie Kennedy 60’s chic. And I still love this recycled coat. She’s getting great use out of it. This silhouette is so much more flattering than the blue Carolina Herrera she last wore. That too much fabric for her petite frame. These simple and clean lines work great for her. Also a good look for fancy daytime, which is always sort of a tricky dress code.

    I see she has a Friday appearance scheduled. I wonder how many events she will do prior to maternity leave. April is just around the corner and baby could be early. Need to savor the last of these Meghan looks for a while!
    Allison P

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  20. Love the dress. Kind of retro. Doesn’t go with the coat. I agree about a coat inside. It seems weird. Shoes, purse and bag seem to not match. But what do I know 😀. I walk around in jeans every day. For some reason it’s fun to critique (good and bad) the outfits that the duchesses wear. Thanks Charlotte for the fun entertainment.

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  21. The Duchess of Sussex looks lovely. Also, I agree, nice to see some “repeat wears”. This isn’t the first repeat, tho. I’m be back later to view the full post. Thanks, Charlotte.

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  22. Pretty! I kind of like the mod brocade. I agree with Kelly that the coat doesn't really match, but it doesn't look too off. Looking lovely! The baby does seem to have 'dropped' - coming soon! --OP

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  23. Anglophile in Ohio5 March 2019 at 14:57

    This is a lovely, elegant look for Meghan. I love the lightweight coat over the dress (it may be sleeveless,) it makes the outfit look very finished. Not sure about the pinkish shoes and clutch, but don't know what would have been better.

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  24. My favorite maternity look on Meghan so far! Lovely colors and a very flattering fit. She looks beautiful.

    Natasha, USA

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  25. Nice coat and dress looks lovely, but more suitable for an evening or cocktail party.

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  26. For the first time I notice Meghan looking a bit tired. Lovely to see her, though, and looking beautiful as always. I like the fabric of the dress, although it make Meghan look a little over-dressed. Mind you, Kate's chiffon is very dressy too. It would make sense to me to wear something over this type of dress during a late pregnancy, and repeating this coat makes as much sense as anything. It seems to be a coat for style rather than warmth and probably the same weight of fabric as the queen's purple jacket.

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  27. Cee Cee from KY5 March 2019 at 15:24

    Meghan looks good. I don't love the bag and shoes with this outfit, but I don't mind the clash of the coat with the dress- it works for me. Her hair isn't in her face. All in all, this is one of her better looks. For whatever reason, I think every time she wears this coat it really elevates her look; it was a good investment.

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    1. Nicole from france5 March 2019 at 20:10

      CEE CEE from KY , this is because of the way she wears the collar up .... it gives a timeless style to the whole ... no. Lash between coat and dress, all’neutral and natural tones ....

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  28. I think she looks overdresed for the time of the day and in comparison with the other guests. A brocade dress when all the other women are wearing a day suit, a simple dress or even trousers and a blouse? And wearing a coat inside the Palace?

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    1. I agree, looks more like cocktail dressing.

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    2. If there is ever a time and place to wear a brocade dress, a reception at Buckingham Palace to honor your father-in-law is it!

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    3. I am wondering if that’s why she is wearing the jacket(which I ADORE). If the plan was a different dress that didn’t end up fitting, but this one did and was appropriate. The jacket tones it down and makes it more ‘Day wear’.

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    4. I remember being told once that it's better to look overdressed than under if your in doubt as what to wear! I think it's so true.

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    5. I agree, the dress is more for an evening reception or dinner, being brocade, and the satin evening bag also is for evening. The queen is in a day dress and jacket, so her style should be the lead in setting the pace for what to wear--day wear. Love the blog and appreciate the coverage for us to read. Love Meghan's work and effort.

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  29. She looks beautiful and regal. The Queen carries a handbag around her home, and the coat might be removed after the are out of camera view. Silver and white both are neutrals so I’m unsure how they can’t be worn together?

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  30. Really lovelu colours on Meghan

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  31. I agree Allison P, Marcia and others!
    This retro-ish brocade dress is a perfect choice for this very important Royal family event. I love how she rewears pre-maternity clothes like this coat, and they work well for this pregnancy. I’m sure we’ll see this lovely, simple coat again, when she can button it again! Shoes and purse work well to create a non-matchy ensemble!
    RG

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  32. Courtney Providence Village5 March 2019 at 16:10

    OMG YES YES YES!!! The colors. The cut. The white over the dress. The collar with the cute simple updo! The crispness. The shoes. The glow!!!!! STUNNING!!! :))

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  33. SierrafromMontana5 March 2019 at 16:22

    Love this outfit!! She is knocking it out of the park with her maternity wear. They look like such a handsome couple.

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  34. I just love this outfit, it looks wonderful on her !

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  35. Adore this look!

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  36. The Duchess looks wonderful and her dress is lovely. I just feel that she hasn't quite grasped that fine line between "Sunday best" and "cocktail". She is over-dressed compared to the Queen, Camilla, and Kate and has done this time and again (Australia/Oscar de la Renta and Morocco/Dior caftan). I would love to see her in this brocade dress again with matching coat for that true vintage/Jackie Kennedy look.

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    1. These afternoon receptions seem to be a pain with regards to getting the dresscode right. Kate also struggled with them. Over the last couple of years Kate has found a in solution in these blousy midi dresses - I don’t like it but it does seem to work for her. I am sure that Meghan will find a solution that works for her as well.
      And while she is finding her solution to the problem, I do prefer her a tad overdress rather than underdressed.

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    2. I agree. It's not wrong for a Duchess to elevate the dress code on any occasion. I remember Kate got a lot of criticism when she was on the Scandinavian tour when she wore a formal looking dress and the guests were in business or understated cocktail. Well, she'a a princess! She can't be underdressed, and it's her prerogative to determine what she wants to wear, as long as it's not something that disrespects the people or the occasion.

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    3. Rachel, why do you think Meghan needs a solution? She wore what she wanted to wear. If they were supposed to all look alike, there would have been a memo telling them what to wear. People just because it's not your cup of tea doesn't mean there is something wrong with the outfit.....They receive criticism just because of who they are. I say best wear, be who you are because you can't please everyone, so why not please yourself.

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    4. Theresa J really good point. I wish people would remember the same thing goes for the Duchess of Cambridge as well.

      Meghan looks amazing and her dress is wonderful btw

      Silvia

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  37. Solid retro look--very '60s! Not sure about the heaviness of the fabric, but both she and Kate dressed for a venue being chilly, it seems to me.

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  38. I think she looks great. Love the whole ensemble so I will politely disagree with those saying the coat and the dress don't go together. I think they do. Not everything has to be matchy matchy. Pieces can be different and complimentary at the same time and I think that's what we have here. However, with that being said I do feel she is overdressed for the occasion.

    Anon from NJ

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  39. Meghan looks absolutely resplendent in that outfit. She's beaming and both she and Harry look very happy.

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  40. Beautiful dress! Maybe a bit too fancy for the occasion, but beautiful nonetheless. It looked like near the end of the video she stopped to thank the gentleman holding the door open. She’s a kind and “real” person, it shows through little actions like that.

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  41. ***not holding the door open, stationed by the door 🤦🏼‍♀️

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    1. Tammy from California5 March 2019 at 21:19

      I really like this look. She really does have impeccable style.

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  42. Nicole from france5 March 2019 at 20:07

    Again .... whaou .... whatever some of us think of the dress, or the coat , or .... she does take great care of her choice of clothes, and ...oh .... the matching of the colour of the purse with one of the pattern of the dress .... that’s very subtle !!!!! She is very good at that kind of things , that’s how she makes the difference .....never boring, never dull , always exciting !
    And it is so nice to see Charles connection with her, for any reason which I do not know and won’t criticize anyway, he does not seem to be so near Catherine , and’ it is good to see him so happy ,as is Princess Anne , who ages so beautifully ! A very sweet moment , indeed ! And it reminds me that , 50 years ago , I spent August in Wales with a friend , and we visited the exhibition about the ceremony in Caernavon castle , my friend absolutely felt in love with Lord Snowdon (of which she only saw a few photos !) and did stop talking about him the whole day ! I can remember that as if it was yesterday .....

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    1. Nicole, what sweet memories with a friend. :) I also enjoy reading about the connection between Meghan and Charles. Many people have horror stories about their in-laws. It seems to be quite the opposite here.

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  43. Darn, I was hoping this would be a Hat Event! Lol.

    Consolation prize: getting to see Meghan's hair today in such a flattering style. Love the side part on her. The bun seems like a good mix of styled without being too stiffly arranged.

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  44. SierrafromMontana5 March 2019 at 20:43

    Stunning! I love this retro look.

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  45. Lovely. This may be my favorite maternity look for her so far.

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  46. Meghan is stunning! Love the dress!

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  47. I’m a bit meh on the outfits from today.

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    1. It's such a mishmash of looks. The BRF may have some unbreakable fashion codes as the tabloids would have us believe (no or nude nail polish! always tights/hose!) but apparently the dress code for a daytime reception at the palace is non-existent or, at best, loosely defined.

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    2. I think both duchesses would have hated to steal Charles’ limelight, meh might actually be what they were hoping to achieve.

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  48. Thanks, Charlotte for the history lesson on Prince Charles’ investiture, Prince of Wales.

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    1. Yes, thank you for *all* the info Charlotte! :) --OP

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  49. Becca H in Colorado5 March 2019 at 21:09

    I love this pattern and shine of this dress! And the cut reminds me of all the shift dresses Kate favored with her pregnancies. I don't much like the coat with it, but it's a nice recycle. It's always fun to see the whole fam together.

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  50. Would have loved to have seen the dress without the coat. I'm unsure as to why she wears the coat with the collar up. She has worn it like that the last three times, and it takes away from the look. Other than that a nice look.

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  51. An all-round lovely look for the Duchess :)

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  52. I love the moment on the video at 1:48-1:50 where Kate shares a laugh with Meghan, and how the family is attentive to Meghan feeling comfortable at these events this first year.

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    1. You made the same comment on the hrhducchesskate site!

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    2. I agree Anon! I really enjoy seeing how well Meghan and Anne get along, Anne's a rather prickly pear so anyone who can get on her good side is doing well!

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    3. Actually, at that point in the video Catherinenwas laughing with Prince William.

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  53. I love this look and the Jackie O retro vibe. I don’t think the brocade is too fancy and I love Meghan’s streamlined choices.

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  54. Thanks Charlotte for the informative piece about this occasion. I’m new when it comes to the RF, so getting a bit of history adds context to this occasion. I liked that Charles learned a bit of Welsh- rather important as Prince of Wales.

    Love getting the interactions of this couple with other attendees as they provide us a birds eye view of what they are thinking and of their interests.

    No complaint here about the clothes. All the ladies looked lovely, wearing things which reflect well of their personal taste and style. I have no idea why, but I love the photo of Princess Anne holding a drink, wearing a broad smile best.
    - Martine

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    1. Anon 21:34, I think Anne looked great and I love the pin/brooch she wore with it, would love to know the history of that piece.

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    2. Martine - that is my fave pic, too! & Anne is my favourite British Royal ❤️

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  55. Meghan looks stunning in this outfit
    love the look from head to toe and the hand on the bump!

    thanks Charlotte

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  56. Meghan looks great. I like the dress very much. Agree with others the coat/dress may not be a really good combination but it does help tone done the "dressiness" of the brocade. The coat looks more like an outdoor garment she has not bothered to remove once indoors rather that truly a compliment to the dress. But overall she looks lovely. And I do not say this wanting matchy it is the general style of the coat and length.

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  57. Rita in Florida5 March 2019 at 23:09

    Holy cow - what a glow on Meghan today!! I actually thought the outfit was fantastic - every bit of it. And I think a touch overdressed for an occasion such as this is far preferred to underdressed. She is true to her style and in this instance - well done!

    I find her relationship with Prince Charles endearing. Given the lack of relationship with her own father, and the fact that the 2 have so many shared interests, and he with no daughters, it's a lovely thing. For me personally, the day Charles accompanied her down the aisle softened his image. Wrongly, but for the first time I saw him as a family man - father, grandfather, and interested and caring father in law.

    Lovely job Charlotte!!

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  58. Looks like an enjoyable event. Love seeing them all interacting. Meghan's dress & coat is my absolute favorite maternity look she has worn. I think this cut & style of dress is the best cut for late pregnancy. She looks elegant & adorable! The thick fabric makes it fall so nicely. She's my new fashion inspiration!

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  59. Meghan looks fabulous! I look forward to seeing her again in a few days. Thank you, as always, for your wonderful coverage, Charlotte.

    R

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  60. I LOVE IT!!! Seriously, I think she looks fantastic. One of my favorite looks on her.

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  61. Thank you Charlotte for a lovely post! I've watched several tv shows about Charles and the work he's done as the PoW and he quite remarkable. The way he built his role and the Prince's Trust is very inspiring. He has such a drive to help others and his work with the environment, which was derided for years has finally gotten people to sit up and take notice.

    Before I get onto fashion, I admit that every time I see a picture of the hat HM wore for Charles' investiture I get the giggles. It's might be the silliest hat I've seen the Queen wear. I know, I know it's based on the Tudor gable hood, etc, etc but it still makes me laugh every time!

    Oh my goodness, this dress is such a pleasant surprise! I never would have thought we'd see Meghan in a brocade dress but wow, it really looks good on her. The gold and silver on the cream background just brighten her complexion (not that it needs it) and the subtle rose gold color is so gorgeous! I think what stands out for me every time I see photos of Meghan is how relaxed she appears. Most royal wives go through a bit of an adjustment period and we've seen Meghan look a bit nervous here and there but on the whole she just seems so happy and content, so thrilled to meet new people and hear their stories as well as taking part in the traditional royal events. I think she's doing a fantastic job and is a wonderful addition to the family.

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    1. The Queen's head garb for the Investiture did indeed look strange with her beautiful coat and accessories. I think I remember that it was supposed to resemble the head dresses of the old Welsh bards. Charles's crown was quite modern compared to other Prince of Wales crowns. If I remember correctly, Tony Armstrong Jones was in charge of the arrangements and insisted on these symbolic designs.

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  62. Wow, I went to high school with Adrienne Warren! Such a small world. Very nice that the Duke and Duchess went to the theater for a date night. I'm loving her outfit today, it might be my favorite of her maternity looks!

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  63. Banged it out of the park, she did today! Absolutely gorgeous and spot on. The coat and the suede shoes subdued the " evening look" of the brocade perfectly. Frankly these shifts are the perfect look for someone expecting that needs to look professional. (So greatly preferred by those of us of the ever so slightly older set that find the body con "bum*-hugging" look to be just too much. -sorry detest that word "bum*"!) Spot on and I have to admit to be quite excited about her Int'l Women's Day panel. She should knock that one out of the park, too, I am quite sure. Just brilliant!

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  64. Meghan looked smashing! Beautiful dress and accessories... including a radiant smile (the best accessory for anyone). I hope that the designer is revealed and would love more photos of the dress fabric up close. Lovely!

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  65. Charlotte Samantha6 March 2019 at 01:39

    She looks fabulous! Love this look!

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  66. She looks amazing! Completely glowing! Just curious though, in the video why did Harry and Meghan stand off to the side while everyone else walked by the table with all the items on it? I’ve never really seen them almost look secluded before with Harry’s family, but it could have been very unintentional! They just normally look very connected. Just an American trying to see how all this works :) Again, all look great including the Queen! I’m amazed by that lady! Can’t wait to see that sweet baby!!

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  67. That coat with the collar up is divine. Very nice photos that are flattering of everyone.

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  68. As usual, Meghan looks absolutely beautiful. I'm still not sure if I like the dress or not but the silver and rosy gold really look good on her. I think she was dressed perfectly for a Buckingham Palace reception honoring her father-in-law, a man she obviously adores. I love the picture of her laughing with Princess Anne and the picture of Princess Anne with her drink and a great smile. 2 hard working women - nice to see them together.

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  69. The dress is a good choice for Meghan; nice cut and hues. I confess I've liked very few of Meghan's dresses during her pregnancy as I've felt they haven't flattered her. This one definitely does.

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  70. For the longest time I disliked Meghan's pregnancy wardrobe, but suddenly a few weeks ago she wore something I liked and ever since then I like each dress better than the last. I think she looks stunning today and, even while very pregnant, this dress somehow seems to be in a tailored style which I think is the best look on her.

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  71. Definitely my favorite maternity look for her so far! That coat was such a smart item for her wardrobe. She looks great in it and it seems very versatile.

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  72. I love Meghans dress! I wonder if the metallics, especially some gold is in recognition of 50 years (aka 50 Golden celebration) and the botanical theme a nod to Prince Charles love of gardens and plants....

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  73. Gorgeous gorgeous gorgeous!!! Impeccable, radiant, festive, appropriate, vintage-yet-modern- I love everything about this look!!!!!

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  74. I also think what seems to be a good relationship between Charles and Meghan lovely to see. As another commentor has said, it helps us see Charles as the head of a family, who is delighted to welcome a "daughter" he apparently always wanted. Kate has her own closely knit family, and it seems William gravitated to them to enjoy the family life Charles may have been too busy to give his sons. I rather see Meghan coming into the family as finally completing it, now with three loving couples and their children. I also think that the video of the royal family going through the regalia display seem to isolate Meghan and Harry a bit. But, except for Harry and Meghan, everyone else is either the sovereign or going to be the sovereign one day. In this way, Meghan and Harry will always be the ones on the outside. Glad Kate had Louis, so Charlotte will have company at the "back" so to speak. However, Harry and Meghan will be vital in representing the royal family, the UK, and the Commonwealth especially in Charles's reign.

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    1. I noticed the same thing in the video when watching the RF view the regalia. To me, it seemed Harry and Meghan were sort-of hanging in the background purposefully. Then they walked ahead but waited until everyone viewing the regalia had finished. William and Kate both seemed a little puzzled and seemed to look around to see what Harry and Meghan were doing. Being frustrated that I will never know what, if anything, was going on I decided Harry and Meghan had gotten there early, had already looked at the regalia off camera and, once the cameras were turned on, they stood in the background so as not to pull focus from HM and PC since they were the reason for the gathering. That's the best explanation I could come up with and I'm sticking with it.
      To your other point, I think Harry and Meghan may have a more challenging job defining themselves within the RF but they are doing a good job championing their causes. It will be interesting to see how each evolves into their role, just as it has been so rewarding watching Kate come into her own.

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  75. Zora from Prague6 March 2019 at 17:49

    Beautiful look! I agree with the readers who say it's probably a bit too festive but the dress is really lovely and at this stage of pregnancy, one is lucky to find something that fits and feels good at the same time, even without having the Buckingham Palace family event to fit into!

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  76. She looks just gorgeous and the colors of the accessories are great in my view.

    My computer wasn't working and I had to rely on other sources for views of the event, and I read how poor little Meghan was shunned by the RF! And that the four were not talking to each other. I also saw some photos of Kate with her mouth in a really funny twist and with it wide open like a lion. Later I saw some video on TV and saw the four of them together and seeming to chat as they walked in with smiles, Meghan not being shunned, and Kate with a perfectly normal look on her face. Lessons learned here.

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    1. I really dislike the media that says ugly things like that!

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  77. No one seems to know the designer of Meghan's dress. To me it seems quite unlike Meghan's usual looks. In fact the more I look at it, the more I can imagine the queen wearing this fabric.

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  78. Oh Meghan! You look beautiful! But please don't talk about US agriculture unless you have visited our farms and know what is really going on. The media is not a great source. I'd be thrilled to put you in touch with people who do know the day to day work. (If you can't tell, I grew up on a farm and my family is still farming today-we have a century farm in Northwest Tennessee.) Good luck with baby Sussex! You and Harry look radiant:)<3

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    1. Marcia Van, I hear you and I had a similar initial reaction (though mine was more like "them's fightin' words"). But it bothers me those strong remarks in the Telegraph were attributed to Meghan when it was someone else who spoke them; I think she would have stated her ideas very differently if given the opportunity. If of interest to Meghan I hope we'll one day be able to hear directly from her on the topics of Ag in general and organic Ag in particular and to have a useful and informed discussion about both.

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  79. I would love to see this fabric in a full-length, post-pregnancy gown. It would be perfect for a state dinner or diplomatic reception ( where all the royal ladies seem to wear cream or off white gowns). Her skin just sets it off perfectly. One of my most favorite looks from her so far!!!

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  80. Absolutely gorgeous! I love her entire outfit and accessories. The coat is my favorite! This may be her best maternity outfit yet!

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  81. Meghan doesn't fail to surprise. I enjoy that quality. Can't get enough of her fluid speeches. Fid you notice maybe fir the first time; Meghan wore an unknown ring alongside her engagement and wedding ring? I was disappointed it was not noted. Curiosity!

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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 :)