Whether you embrace it or not, clothing speaks volumes. So, if you’re embarking on a four-day tour of Colombia at the invitation of a vice-president and every moment is captured by the camera, making the most of your wardrobe choices becomes essential.
And we expect nothing less from the Duchess of Sussex.
The art of dressing to communicate isn’t new; the late Queen pioneered “diplomatic dressing,” paying tribute to her host countries through her choice of designers, colors, and patterns. Princess Diana also embraced this approach during her royal tours in the 1980s and 1990s.
“But this wasn’t a royal tour!” you might protest. Technically, you’d be correct. Yet, in many ways, it resembled one. With a busy schedule of school visits, public appearances, and meetings with local dignitaries, Meghan’s wardrobe was just as crucial as on any official royal engagement. Her devoted style followers would certainly agree.
The Duchess of Sussex showcased a thoughtfully curated “tour-drobe” during her Colombian visit. Meghan’s fashion choices were as strategic as they were stylish, blending traditional royal tour elements with her own modern flair.
For their arrival in Bogotá, Meghan opted for a tailored sleeveless jacket (£598) and trousers (£448) by New York-based brand Veronica Beard, signaling the importance of the visit while subtly breaking from strict royal dress codes with a more relaxed co-ord rather than a formal suit.
Her choice of a £3,775 Loro Piana ‘Loom’ bag suggested practicality and professionalism, hinting at her role beyond mere appearances—perhaps carrying essential items like a notebook or laptop.
The first day saw Meghan switch into a patterned jacquard dress (£1,595) by Colombian designer Johanna Ortiz for a visit to the National Centre of the Arts—classic diplomatic dressing at its finest. Though some criticized the dress’s cut-out and split for being “inappropriate,” it reflected Meghan’s ability to mix royal style with personal expression.
Later, Meghan donned a Victoria Beckham shirt (£550) and trousers by La Ligne (£220), complemented by Aquazzura shoes (£620). This blend of familiar and new styles, including re-wearing pieces and nodding to local brands, showcased her adeptness at balancing royal protocol with personal style.
On day two, Meghan wore a green and white skirt by Colombian brand Juan de Dios (£353) and Chanel’s iconic two-tone pumps (£910). While such choices might have been restricted during her royal tenure, they highlighted her current freedom to embrace signature pieces.
Meghan also paid tribute to Princess Diana by wearing Diana’s butterfly earrings and gold Tank Francaise watch.
Saturday’s visit to Cartagena featured a wide-brimmed hat by Colombian designer Hannia Char (£100), paired with a black top (£804) and skirt (£1,272) from Johanna Ortiz, and later with a white skirt (Posse, £204), top (Argent, £120), and sandals (Emme Parsons, £370). The monochromatic look, complemented by casual sandals, demonstrated Meghan’s blend of royal tradition with modern style.
For a women’s empowerment forum on Sunday, Meghan chose a £26 sleeveless shirt from Mango, paired with a sequined skirt by Colombian designer Silvia Tcherassi (£1,634) and earrings gifted by the Colombian vice-president.
To conclude the tour, Meghan wore a now-sold-out green printed dress (£689) by Andres Otalora for a music festival, embodying Colombian fashion. Her wardrobe choices cleverly adapted traditional royal styles to fit her new role.
Even though Meghan is no longer a working royal, her wardrobe remains a testament to her refined sense of style and strategic use of fashion.
