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A stylist has revealed how Meghan Markle uses tailored camel outfits to show she ‘is calm but means business’ at appearances before making big announcements.
The Duchess of Sussex, 38, looked radiant as she stepped out in a tailored brown outfit for her appearance at Canada House on Tuesday, just 24 hours before announcing she would step down from life as a senior royal.
The smart chic tan outfit looked remarkably similar to one the Duchess wore in October during her tour of South Africa shortly she and Prince Harry, 35, announced they planned to sue various media outlets.
Stylist Lucas Armitage told FEMAIL the move was intentional, saying: ‘Meghan is using traditional power dressing pieces to assert an authority and grounding them in relaxed colours to show a level of calm.’
Stylist Lucas Armitage told FEMAIL that Meghan Markle, 38, often pairs ‘calm’ camel colours with sharp tailoring at appearances shortly before announcing controversial news (pictured left, in October during the South Africa tour shortly before announcing she planned to sue the Mail on Sunday, pictured right, making her final appearance as a senior royal on Tuesday before announcing plans to stand down on Wednesday)
On Tuesday, the royal mixed high street with designer as she stepped out at Canada House and returned to royal duty.
She wore a £345 coat from Reiss with a £50 polo neck and £85 skirt from Massimo Dutti for her appearance in London.
Meghan added a touch of glamour to her outfit with a pair of velvet Jimmy Choo stilettos.
The Duchess chose a blend of wintery browns for the occasion, mixing trendy camel tones with a darker brown skirt.
The Duchess of Sussex has regularly paired warm, earthy colours with sharp tailoring before announcing explosive news (pictured on Monday visiting Canada House)
But the look was remarkably similar to one she wore in October, when the Duchess stepped out in £95 trench coat dress from Banana Republic for a morning meeting at the University of Johannesburg.
It was later that day that Prince Harry launched an attack on the on the British media as he accused the press of ‘bullying’ and ‘relentless propaganda’.
The couple went on to reveal their plans to sue the Mail on Sunday newspaper.
Royal reporter Elizabeth Holmes speculated about the shift on her own Instagram page, writing: ‘It’s the ultimate dressing-for-the-slideshow moment.’
Stylist Lucas revealed that camel was often seen as a ‘calming and pure’ tone, while Meghan’s choice of tailoring conveyed the message she ‘means business’
And stylist Lucas revealed the sartorial choice was likely intentional, saying: ‘The camel coat is a similar sartorial choice she has made time and time again before breaking controversial news.’
He went on to explain that even the tones of brown may have been an important choice for the royal.
He said: ‘Camel is neutral tone and often seen as a calming and pure tone.
‘As a stylist, camel seems like a great colour tone to employ as it’s less serious and somber then most hues and isn’t too attention grabbing like bolder colour choices.’
The Duchess wore a remarkably similar outfit while on tour in South Africa shortly before announcing she was planning to sue the Mail on Sunday
He continued: ‘Those who are in tune with Meghan’s style choice may have picked up on the fact camel signalled royal news was coming.’
And Lucas suggested the tailored structure of Meghan’s outfits, when paired with the calming camel tones, pointed to a powerful statement.
He said: ‘Whilst the colour choice was one to give a relaxed tone the choice of strong tailoring is also a style trick Meghan often employs.
‘Its conveys a message of ‘meaning business’ and being taken seriously.
Lucas pointed to the similarities between the two outfits, suggesting the choice was a move by Meghan to ‘assert authority’ with a ‘level of calm’
‘It’s very rare we see her in anything other than structure these days, which is understandable given the amount of pressure she is under.
He added: ‘She is using traditional power dressing pieces to assert an authority and grounding them in relaxed colours to show a level of calm.’
Meanwhile stylist Susie Hasler added: ‘Meghan’s chosen colour – brown – is an interesting one. The colour signifies reliability. It’s a conservative colour as well, which may be why she chose it to something brighter.’
On Wednesday evening the Sussexes took to the Sussex Royal Instagram account to announce the decision that they would be stepping back from royal duties and focus on low-key charity work.
On Wednesday evening the Sussexes took to the Sussex Royal Instagram account to announce the decision that they would be stepping back from royal duties and focus on low-key charity work
Sharing a picture of their engagement announcement in November 2017, their statement reads: ‘After many months of reflection and internal discussions, we have chosen to make a transition this year in starting to carve out a progressive new role within this institution.
‘We intend to step back as ‘senior’ members of the Royal Family and work to become financially independent, while continuing to fully support Her Majesty The Queen.’
It continues: ‘It is with your encouragement, particularly over the last few years, that we feel prepared to make this adjustment. We now plan to balance our time between the United Kingdom and North America, continuing to honour our duty to The Queen, the Commonwealth, and our patronages.
Prince Harry and Meghan have unveiled their plan to step back as senior members of the royal family (pictured, with their son Archie in May)
‘This geographic balance will enable us to raise our son with an appreciation for the royal tradition into which he was born, while also providing our family with the space to focus on the next chapter, including the launch of our new charitable entity.
‘We look forward to sharing the full details of this exciting next step in due course, as we continue to collaborate with Her Majesty The Queen, The Prince of Wales, The Duke of Cambridge and all relevant parties. Until then, please accept our deepest thanks for your continued support.” – The Duke and Duchess of Sussex’.
The announcement racked up 1.4 million likes, and 80,000 comments, with some reacting with disappointment, and others with understanding.
