As far as ‘tour’drobes go, the Duchess of Sussex’s are always iconic, and during her three-day visit to Nigeria there were plenty of fashion moments that showcased her new penchant for hidden meanings.
With a wardrobe of chic and patriotic looks that featured their usual layered symbolism, Meghan explained that she was using colour to get closer to her Nigerian heritage.
‘It has been a whirlwind 24 hours since we arrived, and I very quickly got the memo that I need to wear more colour so I can fit in with all of you in your incredible fashion,’ she said.
But there was much more symbolism beyond colour, as we outline below.
Blush Pink ‘Windsor’ Dress
The couple’s first public event in Nigeria was a visit to the Lightway Academy in Abuja, Nigeria’s capital, and Meghan oozed casual elegance in the ‘Windsor’ silk gown from Californian designer Heidi Merrick.
Was this a subtle nod to her children’s surnames when they were born and were called Mountbatten-Windsor?
The couple’s first public event in Nigeria was a visit to the Lightway Academy in Abuja, Nigeria’s capital, and Meghan oozed casual elegance in the ‘Windsor’ silk gown from Californian designer Heidi Merrick
Was Meghan’s blush pink ‘Windsor’ gown by Heidi Merrick a subtle nod to her children’s surnames were announced as Mountbatten-Windsor
Princess Diana’s gold collar necklace
The first subtle nod to Princess Diana was the gold collar necklace she wore with the Windsor dress.
Diana wore the piece on a trip to Lagos, Nigeria in 1996 and Meghan must have felt she was following in her mother-in-law’s footsteps with this tribute.
She teamed the necklace with her vintage Lanvin clip-on earrings, the ultimate symbol of sophisticated glamour, yet they weren’t too overpowering for the daytime outfit.
|Meghan in Abuja wearing the same gold necklace worn by Princess Diana in Lagos, Nigeria in 1996
Prince Diana wore the same collar necklace with an Alistair Blair dress in Nigeria in 1990
White and Green ‘flag’ colours
A crisp white suit is a Meghan Markle signature, and she chose this elegant, powerful and versatile ensemble for an official meeting with General Christopher Gwabin Musa, Nigeria’s defence chief.
This teamed well with Harry’s teal suit, giving a look between that paid homage to the country’s white and green flag.
This is how members of the ‘royal’ family usually dress to honour the guest hosts.
The single-breasted, fitted blazer was paired with straight-leg trousers, both from Altuzarra, together with suede brown Manolo Blahnik heels.
An Aurate New York gold collar necklace and Ariel Gordon earrings perfectly complimented the classic suit, giving it a fashion-forward feel.
Meghan and Harry were a team of colours when they stepped out in colours paying homage to the Nigerian flag
Tropical leaf patterned dress
On the second day of the trip, the couple attended a sitting volleyball game held by Nigeria Unconquered, the charity that oversees Nigeria’s participation in the Invictus Games.
Meghan opted for a breezy Johanna Ortiz sundress.
With an abstract tropical leaf-pattern print, a decorative cutout at the bust, and a centre slit, the dress was both daring yet sophisticated.
The bold pattern was complemented with simple and chic accessories including oversized Heidi Merrick sunglasses, Emme Parsons sandals and large gold Jennifer Meyer earrings.
Meghan wore this abstract tropical leaf pattern print to attend an exhibition volleyball match
Red dress by Nigerian brand Orire
When speaking on the Women in Leadership panel on Saturday, Meghan opted for a red dress by Nigerian firm Orire.
The wardrobe choice was apparently a last-minute decision as Markle explained she had quickly got the memo that she needed to wear more colour to fit in with the fabulous fashion in Nigeria.
She accessorized with Kimai’s ‘Semi Hoop’ earrings in gold, and Logan Hollowell’s Tennis Necklace.
Meghan honoured the host country again by wearing this ethically sourced red dress by Nigerian designer Orire
Princess Diana’s diamond cross pendant necklace
For an evening reception at the Nigerian Defence Headquarters in Abuja, Meghan turned to the n fashion brand St Agni.
She exuded effortless elegance in an all-white, strapless column dress styled with Princess Diana’s diamond cross pendant necklace, a recent present from Prince Harry.
Channelling understated glamour, the royal opted for vintage Dior ‘Love Knot’ earrings, injecting a hint of nostalgia into her modern look, together with a splash of colour with her Lorraine Schwartz ‘Against Evil Eye’ bracelet.
Meghan paid homage to Princess Diana again wearing another necklace that belonged to her
Nigerian blue wrap skirt
Meghan brought her game to Lagos at the Giants of Africa event at Ilupeju Senior Grammar School.
Her Carolina Herrera shirt was the perfect accompaniment to a striped blue wrap skirt crafted from traditional Nigerian Aso-Oke fabric which was gifted by the Nigerian Diaspora Commission.
Meghan in traditional Nigerian blue wrap skirt to watch the basket ball
Meghan speaks to the children after their basketball game
Proving that fashion is timeless, Meghan recycled a pair of Burberry sandals which were first seen in 2013 and another pair of vintage Lanvin earrings, adding a sentimental touch with her Ariel Gordon personalised pendant necklace, engraved with Archie and Lilibet’s names.
Yellow gown for Mother’s Day
Later on the third day of the tour the Sussexes graced the State Governor House in Lagos.
Meghan chose this bright yellow Carolina Herrera dress that she had made when she was pregnant with Archie.
The Duchess also wore the dress for Archie’s first birthday and Lilibet’s pregnancy announcement, infusing the occasion with a touch of nostalgia for Mother’s Day.
A brightly dressed Meghan arrives at the Lagos state governor’s house in Lagos
Meghan was also gifted with the traditional shawl that perfectly matched her canary yellow Carolina Herrera dress