When Meghan Markle and Prince Harry first stepped back from their royal work in 2020, we hardly saw the duo out in public. Part of that was probably them wanting a break, and part of that was the global health crisis. But in recent months, they've been back in the limelight a lot more thanks to Prince Harry's work with the Invictus Games. It's taken them all over the globe lately, so we've gotten a ton of new photos of the duo. And Meghan's post-working royal fashion has really been taken to a new level.
Now that she's not required to follow royal style protocol — which favored things such as skirts over pants, modest hemlines, and relatively little skin showing — she's been able to embrace a trendier, more modern fashion sense while staying true to her California casual heart.
Here are some of her best outfits that she's worn since leaving royal life behind.
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Beautiful Beads
It's not common to see Meghan in such a short dress, but we're glad she took the fashion risk on this piece. The white minidress is covered in pretty beaded appliqué, which made her stand out on stage while at New York's Global Citizen Live festival in 2021.
Oversized Suit
Meghan knows how to nail an oversized look without seeming like she's drowning in fabric. She always gets the proportions just right. For a New York outing in 2021, she looked so chic in this maroon ensemble by designer Loro Piana. According to the blog Meghan's Fashion, the cashmere set cost more than $5,000.
Casual Chic
Meghan's totally business on top, party on the bottom in this look. We love the contrast of the fitted tweed blazer with the slightly slouchy jeans. And the styling of her hair ties it all together. She did a ponytail so it's sort of an updo but a casual one. Nailed it.
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Red Carpet Ready
Both Meghan and Harry stepped up their attire for the Salute To Freedom Gala in 2021. Harry wore a tux and bow tie while Meghan donned a stunning low-cut gown to match the red carpet. We love seeing her in a more dramatic look, since a lot of the time she's in basics like blouses and pants. Elevated basics, of course, but seeing a red carpet look every once in a while is fun.
With a Twist
This look is giving updated Hollywood glam. It has the neckline of a glamorous old-fashioned gown but with a modern twist, since she's wearing pants instead of a dress or skirt. Meghan donned this outfit for an Invictus Games event in The Netherlands in 2022.
Trendy Trousers
One of the best things Meghan gave to royal style was wide-legged trousers. We don't think it's a coincidence that Kate Middleton started wearing more flowy pants herself after Meg initially joined the family. We love this cream pair that Meghan wore to the Invictus Games Dusseldorf in 2022.
Vision in White
This outfit actually was for a royal event — one of the only ones Meghan and Harry attended following their exit in 2020. This was the 2022 National Service of Thanksgiving in conjunction with Queen Elizabeth's Platinum Jubilee marking her 70th anniversary on the throne. Meghan looks so regal here, it's such a shame we missed out on so many years of royal events that could have had her in attendance.
Mourning Dress
A funeral isn't really the time to show off a sense of style, but royal funerals are more spectacles than average ceremonies. In any case, Meghan's somber black cape dress and dramatic hat definitely made a statement at the Queen Elizabeth's funeral. And surprisingly, Meg actually got a really positive UK fan response for the outfit, according to Yahoo! Life UK.
Glittering in Gold
Meghan looked like an award herself at the Ms. Foundation Women of Vision Awards in 2023. Her glittering gold dress was perfect for the glam New York City event where she met legends like Gloria Steinem. The foundation's "M" logo is also golden, so she was extra on theme.
Bare Shoulders
Meghan had a little off-the-shoulder moment at the Variety Power of Women event in 2023. She wore a similar dress to a Trooping the Color event when she was still a working royal, and people slammed her at that time for breaking fashion protocol. Now she can bare her shoulders as much as she wants.
Slightly Sheer
In addition to baring her shoulders, Meghan can bare a little more skin all around now that she's not attending official royal events. She wore this strapless blue leather dress with floral cutouts while in Germany with Prince Harry. It shows off some leg, but it's still pretty reserved. It leaves just the slightest amount of skin showing.
Beyoncé Night Out
Fans on TikTok caught Meg on camera dancing away to Beyoncé during one of the singer's Renaissance World Tour concerts. We love the outfit Meghan chose to wear to the show. The sparkly silver skirt was so on theme. Meghan and Bey are actually friends, so it was sweet that Meg showed up to support her.
Dressed-Up Romper
Shorts are another item of clothing that the royal family is rarely caught in, but as a resident California girl, they're a staple for Meghan. We love how she dressed her shorts romper up with a sleek blazer while at the Invictus Games in Germany. It's classy and comfy all in one.
Powerful Red
This photo was taken by Harry and Meghan's friend Misan Harriman, so they're a little more comfortable in front of the lens than they might be in a paparazzi picture. We love Meghan's bold red look. It almost looks like a jumpsuit, but it's made up of separate pieces. According to Town & Country, the blouse and pants are by the brand Another Tomorrow, which is a fitting brand name considering she was at a young leaders event.
Bundled Up
A wintertime trip to Canada for the 2024 Invictus Games training camp necessitated a much warmer look than Meghan could wear in sunny California. She chose an oversized camel-colored coat and long leather gloves for the outfit. It kept her both cozy and stylish.
Bold Print
Prince Harry and Meghan spent time in Nigeria in May 2024 as part of Harry's Invictus Games. For a volleyball event, Meghan donned this printed black and white dress. According to Star Style, the outfit is by one of Meghan's favorite designer's Johanna Ortiz and it's called the "Tropicana Nights" dress, so she was very well-suited for the tropical climate.
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Breezy Draping
Meghan may not be a working royal anymore, but she can still be spotted in some gorgeous polo game fashion. At a recent charity polo game in Nigeria, Meghan wore a stunning Johanna Ortiz dress with a matching patterned scarf draped around her neck. According to the fashion blog What Meghan Wore, the dress costs $1,995.
Pretty in Peach
Pantone's color of the year is Peach Fuzz, and Meghan looked so good in the hue while on that 2024 Nigeria trip. It almost works as a neutral on her, so she should keep it in her color rotation even after this year. For anyone wondering, the wooden beaded necklaces she and Harry wore were presented to them upon arrival in the country, per People.
Bright Yellow
This cheery yellow dress is also the one Meghan wore for her pregnancy announcement with second child Lilibet. We love that she recycled the look several years later during her Nigeria trip. Sustainable and fashionable is the way to go!
Polo Peek-a-Boo
It has been fun to see Meghan be a little adventurous with her style now that the palace isn't watching her every fashion move. For a polo event in Florida in April 2024, she donned a pretty white dress with a daring midriff cutout. But because the fabric also goes up to her neck, she's balanced out as far as how much skin is truly showing.
Check out our Meghan Markle page for all the latest news about Meghan, Prince Harry, and their growing family.
