The cost of Meghan Markle's Africa tour wardrobe will surprise you

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4th Oct 2019

As the Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s royal tour to southern Africa wraps up, we’re not at all shy to admit the amount of brain power exerted and hours spent debriefing about the royal pair’s last fortnight.

We’ve melted over the sweetest of memorable moments—this particular tour providing many thanks to baby Archie’s first public appearance since his first photocall at just days old—and, naturally, we closely monitored each and every one of Meghan Markle’s fashion choices.

Scanning through the outfits the duchess has stepped out in since the commencement of the recent tour, her royal wardrobe decisions have spoken volumes about her royal tour intentions. The duchess’s sartorial style paired with her first moments of African soil—which saw Markle side-stepping the traditional red carpet welcome that comes as custom with each royal tour—communicating that she indeed meant business when it came to the tour.

According to a report by Vanity Fair, Markle’s low-key and modest approach to royal tour dressing this time around could not be more different to the tact she took when preparing her looks for the 2018 royal tour of Australia, New Zealand, Tonga and Fiji.

As stated by the publication, Markle spent just over £4,000 (approximately AU$7,314) for her African royal tour wardrobe, a tiny fraction of the estimated £118,000 (approximately AU$216,000) spent on her tour wardrobe the previous year. However, as was pointed out, this cost cut is likely due to the lack of formal engagements, such as state dinners, within their schedule, therefore negating the need for black tie attire.

Markle also saw her number of scheduled appearances drastically reduced in comparison to her last royal tour so that she could spend much of her time looking after her five-month-old son, Archie, further explaining the reduction in her royal tour wardrobe budget.

Setting her fashion intentions from day one, the duchess’s first royal tour appearance reiterated her focus on important causes over sartorial flair, stepping out in a $126 printed wrap dress by Malawi-based designer, Mayamiko. Markle’s outfits then continued to be a study in relaxed royal dressing and fashion diplomacy, a long-held royal custom.

The duchess wore pieces from affordable e-tailer, Everlane, recycled many of her outfits debuted during the 2018 royal tour, wore a number of denim items, and continued to include pieces from local African designers within each of her looks. Markle’s comparatively low-key dressing allowed the causes highlighted at each of her engagements to take focus.

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Even when she dressed her son, Archie, for the family’s meeting with Archbishop Desmond Tutu at the headquarters of the Desmond & Leah Tutu Legacy Foundation, the duchess looked to the high street for her son’s outfit, selecting a blue and white pinstripe jumpsuit from H&M for the iconic moment, and choosing a Club Monaco dress in a similar colourway for herself.

According to Vanity Fair, Markle’s private secretary, Samantha Cohen, is said to have had a hand in the duchess’s toned-down royal wardrobe, likely aiding her in creating a series of looks that included pieces from reasonably-priced brands—including Sam Edelman, Mother, Madewell and Banana Republic.

As one of the Palace’s most experienced aids, the publication pins Cohen as Markle’s secret wardrobe weapon, and her decisions reportedly saw senior royals, including The Queen, pleased with the duchess’s fresh approach to tour dressing.

“I expect The Queen will be pleased to see that Meghan has been taking a leaf out of her book, wearing outfits more than once and taking the advice of trusted aides like Sam,” a royal source told the publication.

Meghan Markle, we salute you!