Monday 23 May 2022

A Kiss for Her Prince: Meghan Exudes Old Hollywood Glamour at Afternoon of Polo

In the early hours of this morning, it was a lovely surprise to see a selection of images and videos of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex at Santa Barbara Polo Club.

Yesterday, several eagle-eyed observers on social media spotted an invitation a guest shared for a special polo event held in aid of local charities by Harry and Meghan. Prince Harry has been actively participating in the polo season as part of the Los Padres team for charitable causes close to his heart. The Prince has been cheered on by his wife on several occasions, but to date we've seen primarily pap photos of Meghan's attendance.

I wasn't expecting much today either, so it was a treat to see so many guests and those involved with the day sharing snaps.

The invitation.

It was a day to catch up with old friends, including Meghan's long-time pal Abigail Spencer. The pair co-starred on Suits and have been incredibly close since. During a 2018 performance of Hamilton, Meghan told Lin-Manuel Miranda that Abigail loves the show: "We were born on the same day, same year, so we are so close."

There was plenty of time spent with polo players and their families. 

This little one caught Meghan's eye :)

Rebel Wilson was one of several well-known faces (also neighbour Orlando Bloom and Mariska Hargitay), and shared she was 'Team Harry' for the event.

Local charities benefitting from the event included FoodBank Santa Barbara County, Heal the Ocean and CALM4kids.

The Evening Standard reports:

'The Duchess of Sussex sent crowds wild at a charity polo match in the US after giving Prince Harry a kiss as she presented a trophy on Sunday.

Meghan was cheered by well-wishers at the Los Padres charity polo match in Santa Barbara after pecking each team member on the cheek - before kissing her husband.'

As you can see, Harry's team won.

The Duchess was on hand to present the trophy.

A celebratory kiss was in order :)

Meghan exuded Old Hollywood glamour. The look was timeless perfection and quite easily makes the cut as one of her most iconic ensembles to date. The styling, choice of hat, accessories and bold pop of lipstick worked perfectly. It definitely felt like a throwback to iconic looks from Grace Kelly in To Catch a Thief and Julia Roberts in Pretty Woman.

Vogue notes Meghan has 'revived' Pretty Woman style at the polo:

'The Duchess turned out to support her husband Prince Harry, a keen polo player, at the Santa Barbara Polo & Racquet Club, where his Los Padres team took home the Lisle Nixon Memorial trophy on Sunday, and her chosen outfit had more than a dash of Pretty Woman about it. Her breezy blouse with tie-front detail featured a polka-dot print – just like the dress Vivian wears to stomp the divots in the classic rom-com. 

Meghan added high-waisted tailored shorts like those that were central to Julia’s ’90s power wardrobe in the film, once she’d relieved the boutiques of Rodeo Drive of much of their stock.'

Meghan teamed a polka dot blouse with a black wide-brim hat and a pair of white Khaite Isabelle High-Rise shorts.

Meghan accessorised with her Kahite Bella leather belt. It's currently available at Nordstrom and 24s.

Meghan wore her black suede Aquazzura 'Savoy' pumps.

The Duchess accessorised with Diana's Cartier Tank watch

We saw Meghan's trusty Cartier Love bracelet.


It very much looks like Meghan wore her Lorraine Schwartz earrings and Valentino sunglasses -- with many thanks to Meghan's Closet Chronicles for ID's.

A fantastic day for the polo and a treat to see Harry and Meghan having a wonderful time!

33 comments:

  1. Oh, thank you for sharing these absolutely delightful photos, Charlotte. Meghan looks terrific. Harry and Meghan's love always warms my heart. I hope they will have many, many happy years together.

    Would you mind re-posting this poem by Kipling? Since it was posted on the previous page when everyone else had finished posting there, perhaps few have seen it. I think most will agree that it is very fitting for Meghan and Harry.

    If.... by Rudyard Kipling

    If you can keep your head when all about you
    Are losing theirs and blaming it on you;
    If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you,
    But make allowance for their doubting too:
    If you can wait and not be tired by waiting,
    Or, being lied about, don't deal in lies,
    Or being hated don't give way to hating,
    And yet don't look too good, nor talk too wise;

    If you can dream — and not make dreams your master;
    If you can think — and not make thoughts your aim,
    If you can meet with Triumph and Disaster
    And treat those two impostors just the same:.
    If you can bear to hear the truth you've spoken
    Twisted by knaves to make a trap for fools,
    Or watch the things you gave your life to, broken,
    And stoop and build 'em up with worn-out tools;

    If you can make one heap of all your winnings
    And risk it on one turn of pitch-and-toss,
    And lose, and start again at your beginnings,
    And never breathe a word about your loss:
    If you can force your heart and nerve and sinew
    To serve your turn long after they are gone,
    And so hold on when there is nothing in you
    Except the Will which says to them: "Hold on!"

    If you can talk with crowds and keep your virtue,
    Or walk with Kings — nor lose the common touch,
    If neither foes nor loving friends can hurt you,
    If all men count with you, but none too much:
    If you can fill the unforgiving minute
    With sixty seconds' worth of distance run,
    Yours is the Earth and everything that's in it,
    And which is more: you'll be a Man, my son!

    R

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    1. My late husbands favourite poem. It really says it all regarding these two though doesn’t it?

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    2. The poem is wonderful and very apt for H&M.

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    3. Very fitting and a good reminder in these treacherous times!

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    4. Magnificent poem! And that very much reflects the Sussexes. Thank you for sharing.

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    5. one of my fave poems thank you for posting it as it is truly fitting here

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  2. I love fun charity events like this. Everyone has a great time, there’s a laidback vibe and it’s all for good causes. Congratulations to Los Padres for their win. As for Meghan, she looks absolutely sumptuous. The hat, the glamorous waves, the red lip, the stylish sunnies, it really is one of her best. It’s great to see how good being happy and free looks on her, and Harry looks as smitten as ever.

    Massive thank you to Charlotte for continuing to keep up with this blog and posting at this crazy hour. I’m sure all of your readers really appreciate it!

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  3. Waooooo, nothing compare to living a peaceful life..... The best of meghan

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  4. She is radiant, her outfit suits her perfectly !
    And the kiss...sweet memories ! ;-)

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  5. She has been wearing cute shorts but this is a lovely "upgrade"! The hat is very utilitarian, needed because of the California sun, but the look is very charming! Can't wait until we, I hope!!, see the family at the jubilee.

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    1. Me too.
      She is stunning...Harry is so proud for her wife ❤❤

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  6. Thank you Anonymous for the suggestion of "If" by Rudyard Kipling. It is a family favorite and most often seen around graduation time. My grandfather made each of his sons memorize it. Upon hearing the story, I decided a girl - I was about 12 at the time - could memorize, recite it, and carry the sentiment through life as well. My grandfather awarded me a dollar for the effort :-)

    Meghan looks charming. The black/white silhouette is perfection! Of course the polka dots are very "Pretty Woman" (my favorite look on Julia Roberts from that movie). And while some are calling it a nod to 'old Hollywood' it's very '80s which I believe we are seeing a lot of right now. Love her hat but does anyone else think it should have been pulled down more over her face?

    I wish we could see pictures of the venue and the catering (I'm a foodie). And I'm wondering if Harry might play some polo when they make their trip over to England next month. Not sure what the season is but remember Harry and Wills playing together many times.

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    1. Elle, you're so right that it is a "Pretty Woman" moment! I have that movie and have been playing it recently. I think the whole scene (cherry red lips, polo) has combined Old Hollywood/1980s Hollywood vibes. We have definitely seen Meghan wearing hats pulled down more, providing better sun protection. Maybe she felt donors to the charity deserved a full face. :) I really enjoyed her shorts but now her outfits are getting much more fun. I thought she looked luscious.

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    2. As a hat lover, I agree that a wide-brimmed hat should normally be tipped down over one eye, but that tends to get in the way of clear vision and really interferes with a kiss. Sometimes you just have to wear a hat back on your head in order to see what you're doing.

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  7. Charlotte, as reported, the pleated shorts are Khaite. Appears Meghan has been coveting this designer - off the shoulder ivory bodysuit, brown suede purse, pleated shorts - and then do you think the belt is Khaite as well? https://www.mytheresa.com/en-gb/khaite-bella-leather-belt-1662067.html?catref=category Catherine Holstein appears to be a very up and coming American designer since launching in 2016.

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  8. Thanks Charlotte for updating this blog whenever there's new information for and about the Sussexes

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  9. The Duchess looks lovely, I especially love the polka dot blouse, its very feminine and pretty. Her cascading hair looked divine. Love the black pumps.
    I have to make mention of Abagail Spencer who was in attendance, she looked fabulous, her b/white polka dot dressed was gorgeous.

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  10. A really fun look. I own a couple of pairs of tailored dressy shorts myself but normally wear them with wedged espadrilles and linen blazers. Meghan Sussex's heels took me aback for a few moments, but then I thought, "Why not?" And the hat and dotted blouse are terrific, perfect for a special polo event.

    The red lipstick is just right on her, popping out from the black and white. She was going for a nude or just understated lip in the UK for a while, but her coloring really repays vibrant shades. Glad to see her using them.

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  11. Good to know the sum of money raised for charity at this event.

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  12. Love this post! Good to see the Sussexes out and smiling for a good cause. I love the blouse and hat but not the shorts - too 80s for me. Have seen pap photos of Meghan at other polo events lately and this seems to be her go-to look for polo. Love the red lip. -op

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  13. I love that Harry has such a great friend in Nacho. Friends like him, especially during the very difficult two years for Harry, are invaluable and are to be treasured.

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  14. How beautiful to see them like this 💝💖! Meghan with the dynamics of her magnificent looks that she has excellently combined, is reborn like a phoenix, I perceive that she has regained all her confidence at the expense of those who so desired to destroy her and that's very good Meghan, I see again the blooming Meghan from the time she kept her blog with a loving husband and 2 beautiful children 👍👌
    Thank you Charlotte.

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  15. At public events, I feel like Meghan is trying to include the viewers in what she wears -- feels like part of her Tig blog, which makes the viewing more fun for me. And Abigail did indeed look wonderful, too.

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  16. she looks beautiful i love her hair , the glasses, makeup and hat but most of all the shirt. I didn't see where she got the shirt and would like to buy it. any tips Charlotte or any readers?

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  17. I love fun charity events like this. Everyone has a great time, and looks relaxed as ever i deel the old and Meghan is back its great

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  18. Not entirely a win. For me too fussy. Earlier polo matches she showcased more wearable denim shorts with denim shirt, white shorts with white button down, and blue & white shirt with dark shorts were all stylish without “trying too hard” the all white ensemble was the most relatable, I would wear anytime specifically cuz the weather here has been hotter than I like

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  19. Not a fan of the red lip on anyone. But, that is my personal taste. Love the hat but not worn on the back of her head as a sun hat.

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  20. I saw this amazing news and had to share: "Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and British Columbia Premier John Horgan announce matching funds of $15 million for the 2025 Invictus Games from both the federal and B.C. governments. An additional $1 million will be provided to the Soldier On program to train and equip Canadian athletes."

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  21. What a fun event and a pretty picture here.

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  22. I saw a photo of Meghan in jeans/T shirt/baseball cap putting down a bouquet of white roses at the memorial for the Uvalde, Texas, shooting victims. I was really surprised. It's such a sad event on many different levels -- I suppose she wanted to do something and perhaps felt even more empathic now that she has small children.

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  23. Susan in Florida27 May 2022 at 03:17

    She looks happy ! And I’m “upset “ about those wide pleated shorts coming back in fashion. I had a white pair just like them in the late 1980s that I paired with padded shoulder blazers.

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  24. In my opinion she looks lovely! Sexy even!

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