Meghan Markle debuted a collection of effortlessly chic high-fashion looks at the 2022 Invictus Games in The Hague, the Netherlands this weekend. The duchess combined pieces from well-known designers such as Valentino and Celine with more boutique brands like New York-based Khaite and denim brand Moussy to create memorable outfits.
The Duchess of Sussex’s appearance at the Invictus Games marks her first public visit to Europe since stepping down as a full-time working member of the British royal family in 2020 and her bombshell March 2021 interview with Oprah Winfrey. It was announced after the fact that on their way to the Netherlands both Meghan and Prince Harry stopped in Britain to visit Queen Elizabeth II at Windsor Castle. Their visit was made as Harry’s legal dispute with the U.K. Home Office over security is ongoing.
When the royal couple made their first appearance at events scheduled to open the Invictus Games—founded by Harry in 2014 to provide a public platform for injured, sick and wounded servicemen and women to showcase their physical and mental resilience—they were followed by a camera crew filming their upcoming Netflix show Heart of Invictus. For the duchess then, there was added pressure to look camera ready.
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Throughout the course of her visit to the Netherlands, Meghan wore an array of chic, well-structured and minimalistic looks following the style signature she set for herself even before she married Harry. Fiercely proud of not using a stylist during her time in Britain, Meghan maintains her favorite neutral color palette of white, beiges and browns while adding pops of interest in her accessories, jewelry and shoes.
Meghan has exhibited a hyper-awareness of the image she portrays and the meaning and symbolism behind what she wears. This was first keenly displayed in the request that her wedding veil have all the flowers of the Commonwealth embroidered onto it and that they include among them the poppy of California, her home state. During the Invictus Games, Meghan made subtle yet touching references to her mother-in-law, Princess Diana through her clothing, something she has replicated in the past.
Here, Newsweek looks at The Duchess of Sussex’s effortlessly chic Invictus Games 2022 wardrobe:
STRONG TAILORED VALENTINO
Meghan’s opening look for the Invictus Games was a powerful white double-breasted pant suit from one of her favorite designers, Valentino.
The duchess paired the suit with shoes by Aquazzura, her go-to brand for statement high heels, and a shoulder bag used as a clutch from Valentino. For jewelry, Meghan wore an array of pieces from Cartier and a necklace from Sophie Lis.
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The outfit was worn to a reception for Invictus Games friends and family members in what was Meghan’s first public appearance since her visit to the NAACP Image Awards with Harry in February.
As at the NAACP awards, Meghan paid a subtle tribute to Princess Diana through her choice of clothing. The double-breasted white tailored suit that the duchess selected for the occasion closely resembles one worn by Diana to a polo match in 1987. This would not be the only time her fashion-minded mother-in-law would be referenced during the games.
Following the friends and family reception, Meghan and Harry attended further events in The Hague, one of them being a visit to the U.S. embassy where the royals met the special presidential delegation sent to accompany the country’s athletes headed by Secretary for Transportation, Pete Buttigieg.
PARISIENNE CHIC IN CELINE
To attend games’ sponsor Jaguar Land Rover’s driving event for veterans, Meghan wore a decidedly pared back look which was elevated with pieces from chic Paris design houses.
With a pair of relaxed washed out jeans rolled up at the hem to create a three-quarter-length effect and a plain white undershirt, the duchess wore a sharply-tailored black boucle wool tweed jacket from Celine.
Chris Jackson/Getty Images for the Invictus Games Foundation/Max Mumby/Indigo/Getty Images
Meghan is known to have a keen eye for Paris fashion, breaking with royal tradition and ordering her own wedding dress from the French design house of Givenchy. Since becoming a member of the royal family Meghan has incorporated into her wardrobe pieces from Givenchy, Christian Dior, Celine and Chanel.
With her outfit the duchess wore a classic black leather shoulder bag with gold chain detail to match the buttons on her jacket—both from Celine. For shoes she wore a pair of Chanel flat ballet pumps and to top off the look she added a pair Linda Farrow aviator sunglasses.
MEGHAN, DIANA AND KHAITE
For the opening ceremony of the Invictus Games, Meghan stood out in one of her strongest outfits to date. The put-together look consisted of an elegantly draped white bodice with folds of cream fabric intertwined and knotted across the center front forming slip shoulders, and a pair of sharply tailored back trumpet leg pants.
Meghan wore a pair of black Manolo Blahnik Mary Jane heels and pieces of jewelry including a $15,000 Cartier necklace and Princess Diana’s diamond tennis bracelet.
Chris Jackson/Getty Images for the Invictus Games Foundation/MJ Kim/Getty Images
Meghan was once again closely aesthetically aligned with Diana through this look as the princess owned a dress which featured the same cross bodice detail made for her in 1993 by her favorite designer, Catherine Walker. The dress was immortalized in one of Diana’s final portrait sittings with photographer Mario Testino in 1997.
The makers of Meghan’s wrap bodice are New York brand Khaite—pronounced “Kate”.
CLASSIC MINIMALISM BRANDON MAXWELL
To meet games competitors with husband, Harry, Meghan wore a favorite style of skinny leg denim jeans with a statement white jacket by designer Brandon Maxwell.
The jacket features a concealed belt with visible buckle closure creating a smooth, streamlined silhouette. Meghan paired this look with brown suede pumps by Manolo Blahnik and a pair of Valentino sunglasses.
Chris Jackson/Getty Images for the Invictus Games Foundation)
MINI DRESS VALENTINO
For the Invictus Games Foundation reception, where the Sussexes met with key members of the charity, Meghan wore a white Valentino mini dress which follows the line of others in her wardrobe from the same designer.
Not afraid of the mini dress’ above the knee length, Meghan has worn them on previous occasions, most notably to the Global Citizen Live 2021 event in New York. For that event the duchess’s dress was also designed by Valentino and featured detailed embroidery elements.
Chris Jackson/Getty Images for the Invictus Games Foundation
Instead of featuring embellishments, the dress worn to the Invictus Games Foundation reception showed a floral pattern made by cutting away from the fabric of the dress using lasers.
With this look, Meghan wore brown suede accessories, including a handbag by Khaite.