Meghan introduced her new born son to the world in a white sleeveless tuxedo dress, a bespoke £1,650 design by a rising star of British fashion, Grace Wales Bonner
When the Duke and Duchess of Sussex introduced their newborn son to the world, it was not just baby Archie who stepped into the limelight. Also taking centre stage was Meghan’s white sleeveless tuxedo dress, a bespoke £1,650 design by a rising star of British fashion, Grace Wales Bonner.
It is, no doubt, every promising newcomer’s dream to have their brand boosted by ‘the Meghan effect’ – the instant rise in sales and recognition which follows the Duchess’s decision to wear a designer’s clothes.
But this time, her fashion choice has raised eyebrows – because, unusually for Meghan, the brand was British.
Today marks the Royal couple’s first wedding anniversary and a year since Meghan made the transition from Hollywood actress to a senior member of the Royal Family. In the process, she has been lauded as a global fashion icon.
Yet an in-depth analysis by The Mail on Sunday has revealed that although she may have embraced a more British way of life, her fashion choices have been considerably less than patriotic.
Pictured: Wearing a coat by Sentaler and dress by Aritzia - both Canadian designers and a bag by American Gabriella Hearst in Birkenhead in January)
Indeed, of the 74 dresses the Duchess has worn in public during the past 12 months, just 19 – 26 per cent – were designed by Brits.
Remarkably, almost the same proportion – 23 per cent – came from French fashion houses, with a handful of frocks from German, Italian, Swedish and Australian designers.
And the rest? Her tastes, just like her upbringing, remain distinctly all-American – more than one third of her dresses (39 per cent) were either by US or Canadian brands.
Meghan, wearing a coat by Italian brand Emporio Armani and pregnancy dress by Swedish budget brand H&M
Meghan and Prince Harry exiting Westminster Abbey on Commonwealth Day in March. Meghan is wearing a matching coat and dress from Victoria Beckham
Wearing a custom cream roll-neck dress by Calvin Klein and a £895 coat by royal favourite British designer Amanda Wakeley (left) Meghan at the British Fashion Awards, wearing a black one-shoulder dress by Clare Waight Keller of Givenchy (right)
While the Duchess may be known for her reluctance to adhere to Royal traditions, this choice has drawn criticism from courtiers.
During an interview on Friday, British fashion designer David Emanuel – who made Princess Diana’s wedding dress – revealed he is disappointed by how few British labels Meghan has worn.
‘I followed the Royal tour when she was in Australia, Fiji and Tonga and I think there were only three British designers represented,’ he revealed.
Meghan appeared to take inspiration from the Queen as she opted for a bright yellow shift dress by American Brandon Maxwell for a Commonwealth youth reception with Prince Harry
A bottle green wool number by Canadian designer Erdem Moralioglu - the entire ensemble is estimated to have cost around £8,000 by celebrity stylist Lucas Armitage (left). Wearing American designer Brandon Maxwell mini dress and blazer (right)
Of Meghan’s Givenchy silk wedding dress (a French fashion house), David said: ‘It much have cost a small fortune – French couture is not inexpensive. Please Meghan, buy British!’
