What better way is there to make a public statement than through fashion?
Well, the perfect opportunity posed itself when Meghan Markle and Prince Harry’s hotly anticipated debut with their new baby Archie took place.
While we might have been slightly preoccupied with the little bundle of joy perched quaintly in Harry’s arms, there was another very special detail in Meghan Markle’s now iconic white dress that subtly sent a very important message – and eagle-eyed fans have spotted it.
Meghan’s stunning white dress held a special significance that you might have missed. (Image: Dominic Lipinski / PA / Getty)
As team Sussex stepped out for their grand debut, the world drew a collective breath before squealing with delight (well, most of us anyway…) after catching our first glimpse of Baby Sussex.
Wrapped in a luxury GH Hurt & Son shawl, Meghan’s new bub, whose name was later revealed to be the beautifully regal Archie Harrison Mountbatten-Windsor, looked royally perfect as the world watched on.
But there was more to the appearance than meets the eye – and it was all to do with Archie’s stylish mum.
Indeed, Meghan’s white trench dress was coveted by the masses as it accentuated her “mum-tum”, with a tie at the waist that highlighted her post-baby bump.
What’s more, Meghan’s choice of colour was also remarked on as a brave choice, with many mums knowing full well that the first few days after giving birth can be a tad… er, messy.
But brave she was, and we’re eternally thankful for it, because it meant that Meghan could make one very important public statement.
Meghan’s dress shares a special connection to the new age of the royal family. (Image: Dominic Lipinski / PA / Getty)
Who is Meghan Markle’s white dress designer?
The significant meaning behind Meghan’s all comes down to her dress’s talented designer, Grace Wales Bonner who reigns from Britain and is understood to be in her late twenties.
Grace is also known as one of the UK’s most celebrated young designers, particularly renowned for her menswear designs.
In 2016, Grace was awarded the revered LVMH Prize for Young Fashion Designers, and is a graduate of legendary fashion school Central Saint Martins.
The young creative is of mixed-heritage, much like Meghan, with her mum being British and her dad being Jamaican.
There’s no doubt that Meghan is aware of the significant effect she has on the fashion landscape today, and that each and every fashion choice she makes will be surveyed by the masses.
That’s why it’s amazing to see the Duchess choose a designer who reflects the diversity the British royals are now embracing as a new age, marked by the birth of baby Archie, begins.
Grace Wales Bonner is one of the most celebrated young designers in the UK. (Image: Getty)
Grace is also one to embrace gender fluidity in her collections, previously revealing in an interview with GentleWoman: “I love it when a boy puts on one of the embroidered jackets that the women wore and doesn’t know the difference—my work is about being open to interpretation.”
Her collections are also understood to reference black culture, drawing inspiration from the likes of Nigerian writer Ben Okri and artist James Hampton.
In addition, one of her dissertations completed while she was studying examined “black rhythmicality”, according to Town and Country.
WATCH: Meet Baby Sussex and hear what the gushing parents have to say. Story continues after video…
This wasn’t the only diverse public statement made by the royal family at the new family photo shoot.
Just moments after debuting themselves as a family of three, Meghan, Harry and baby Archie were joined by Queen Elizabeth, Prince Philip and Meghan’s mum Doria Ragland.
In an incredible and history-making picture, the six royals were seen looking fondly at the new baby, who is the first biracial British-American royal, and is now seventh in line to the throne.
By sharing the image across their official social channels, it seems the royals are celebrating the feat in the best way possible.
This incredible image of the royal family marks an historic moment. (Image: Chris Allerton/ AP/ SussexRoyal)
Meghan’s white dress also isn’t the first time she’s worn the tuxedo / trench style.
During her royal tour of New Zealand in 2018, Meghan was seen wearing a stunning navy blue tuxedo-style dress by Kiwi designer Maggie Marilyn.
You can’t deny its similarities to her white dress worn only months later!
Meghan’s white Maggie Marilyn tuxedo dress worn while visiting Wellington, NZ in October 2018 was a fan favourite. (Image: Getty)
Meanwhile, in another iconic fashion moment, Meghan wore a stunning striped tuxedo dress design by Altuzarra in April 2018 as she attended a reception for the Commonwealth Youth Forum.
This time stepping it up a notch, the Duchess paired the gorgeous style with a blazer by Australian label Camilla and Marc, which was draped cape-like over her shoulders – royally chic!
Meghan’s a pro at pulling off the tuxedo look! (Image: Getty)
Now, with the ‘Markle Effect’ a real-life phenomenon, we can only imagine the tuxedo style is here to stay for a long-lasting hey-day thanks to the Duchess.
And given the important message behind her latest look, we couldn’t be more thrilled to showcase it in all its glory.
