“Regarding the Johanna Ortiz dress, the criticism focuses on the cut-out and high slit,” she continues. “I [saw] similar reactions when Queen Letizia of Spain wore a cut-out dress in 2022, with people arguing that such a style isn’t appropriate for a formal engagement. However, Meghan is not a working royal and is not representing the British royal family in any capacity. So why should a formal royal dress code apply to her?”
In May this year, Harry and Meghan visited Nigeria on what was described at the time as another copycat royal tour. Meghan again ticked several “royal” fashion boxes – wearing symbolic jewellery that belonged to the late Princess Diana as well as donning Lagos-based labels. On that trip, there were signs that the Duchess had eschewed professional help – some of her hemlines puddled on the floor, while other pieces were creased. That would be considered a decidedly non-royal move – the late Queen, the current Queen, and the Princess of Wales have all been known to employ aides to assist with wardrobe planning and execution.
This time, though, those kinks seem to have been (literally) ironed out for the Duchess of Sussex. On a couple of occasions now the Sussex team has confirmed that Meghan has employed Jamie Mizrahi – a Montecito-based stylist who also works with Adele – and the level of polish displayed on this trip indicates that a professional stylist or tailor may have been consulted before take off.
Of all the things she may have gleaned from her time as a working royal, this last point would perhaps have the biggest impact on her personal style. Looking immaculate, in clothes that are well-tailored, is something that anyone might seek to perfect in their style formula, especially if they are dressing for the public eye.