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known for her minimalist approach to style, the Duchess of Sussex, Meghan Markle repeated that charm during her and her husband, Prince Harry’s official visit to Nigeria. The Duchess started on Friday, May 10 in the capital Abuja and ended on Sunday, May 12 in the metropolis of Lagos. The Duchess delivered style and pomp with a touch of understated elegance. In this article, we explore Meghan Markle’s chic outfits for this tour, which made an unmissable plea for quiet luxury.
In 2022, the Duchess revealed that she is 43% Nigerian, so this trip was somewhat of a homecoming: one that she communicated with fashion that gave a nod to her authentic self while incorporating cultural elements of the West African nation. At the invitation of the country’s Chief of Defense Staff, the Dutchess arrived, with more color and zest for life than usual. From a yellow chiffon maxi dress to a red midi dress with ruffles and interesting additions of traditional “so-okay” fabrics, the mother of two children spoke a style language that was easy to understand.
Speaking about her inclusion of more color for her trip to Nigeria, the Duchess said: “I got the memo very quickly that I need to wear more color so I can fit in with all of you and your incredible fashion.” We’re certainly glad she took the plunge with vibrant shades, and the results are fantastic!
Check out Meghan Markle’s outfits during her official visit to Nigeria…
#1. Peachy balance
On the first day, Meghan and Harry headed to the Lighthouse Academy in Abuja. For the occasion, Meghan opted for a peach-colored maxi dress by Heidi Merrick, styled with a beaded necklace and a gold choker, reminiscent of Princess Diana carried to Nigeria in 1990. Her strapless silk dress, called ‘the Windsor’, featured a flowing skirt and fitted bodice with a linear cutout at the sides and back. The Heidi Merrick dress takes its name from the House of Windsor, making her first outfit on this tour an acknowledgment of the Royal Family. It was indeed an elegant and striking way to start the tour.
#2. Business white people
In tribute to their host country, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle shone in the colors of the Nigerian flag. Harry walked boldly through Defense Headquarters wearing a well-fitting green suit, while Meghan donned a white Altuzarra suit, styled with orange pumps and a floral bracelet. Like the royal family of times gone by, the couple followed in their footsteps by wearing the country’s colors as a form of respect.
Shop Altuzarra ‘Fenice’ jacket here
#3. Woman in red
For a panel discussion during the ‘Women in Leadership’ summit, the duchess did justice to red. Her ‘Orire’ midi dress with spaghetti straps and ruched hem paired beautifully with her Aquazzura sandal heels and dainty gold jewelry. Presented by the Director-General of the World Trade Organization, Nigeria Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, and media mogul, Mo Abuduthe event highlighted the important role of women in leadership and Markle graced it in a matching ensemble. Plus, it’s made by a Nigerian fashion brand: a show of support for local businesses and a recognition of Nigeria’s affinity for vibrant colours.
Buy the red one Orire ‘Dire’ dress here
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#4. Relaxed chic
For a sitting volleyball practice with Prince Harry in Asokoro, Abuja, Meghan rocked a Johanna Ortiz dress that flattered her figure. Indeed, the heat of the country had no chance against this lofty, relaxed appearance. She paired it with her usual Heidi Merrick sunglasses and topped it off with Emme Parsons sandals for comfort.
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#5. A linen coordination
During the Armed Forces Officers’ Mess in Abuja, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex showed their support for military families and widows in collaboration with Prince Harry’s Invictus Games. For the outing, the Duchess donned a linen column dress from St. Agni, embellished with understated jewelry. Meanwhile, her husband looked dashing in a cream linen suit that matched Meghan Markle’s outfit. The highlight of Meghan’s look was her mother-in-law’s (Princess Diana) diamond cross necklace, which was gifted to her by Harry. The simplistic look had a lot of meaning and sentimental value.
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#5. Aso-oke charm
Barely three days in the countryside, and Meghan Markle’s outfits already spoke like those of a real daughter of the soil. After rethinking a pre-planned fit with a neutral theme, the Duchess of Sussex landed in Lagos in a white Carolina Herrera button-down shirt, impeccably styled with a ‘so-okayskirt. Aso-oke is from the Yoruba people of Nigeria who live in the southwestern part of the country, so it’s only fitting that she covered the dust during the Lagos portion of her trip. (Lagos is a city in southwestern Nigeria).
Shop Carolina Herrera classic cotton button-down shirt here
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#6. Yellow eruption
Refreshed and ready to explore the city of Lagos, the couple attended a reception at the Governor’s, Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s house. During the trip she was an eye-catcher in a yellow flowy dress from Carolina Herrera that brought even more sunlight to the vibrant city. This was the exact dress she wore for her son, from Prince Archie birthday, and her daughter, Princess Lilibet pregnancy announcement. Perhaps planned, she rocked this vibrant maxi on May 12 – Mother’s Day. In the house of the governor, his wife, Dr. Ibijoke Sanwo-Olugave Meghan a green and white aso-oke fabric that she elegantly threw over her shoulder.
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#7. A neutral story
We all know that neutral colors are Meghan’s signature sport. She played it again in a Johanna Ortiz halterneck number with subtle floral prints. She brought the beautiful dress with gold Burberry Prorsum ‘Berkeley’ sandal heels and earrings to a Charity Polo event in Lagos. The look was elegant and graceful, a fitting way to end her fashion marathon in Nigeria.
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