Meghan Markle’s year of fashion as she celebrates her 41st birthday

Meghan Markle is known for her strong sense of personal style and taste for bold, simple designs.

Throughout her time in the UK, Meghan took great pride in maintaining control over her public image by not using the services of a professional stylist and allowing her outfits to become a true expression of her sense of self.

Over the past year, the duchess has displayed a number of fashion choices that have evolved over time since she first became a member of the royal family into a more refined style today.

Here, as Meghan turns 41, Newsweek takes a look at a collection of Meghan’s most important fashion looks from the past year.

September 23, 2021 – One World Observatory

Meghan’s first notable public appearance after her 40th birthday in 2020 was to undertake a visit to New York City with Prince Harry, the highlight of which was a speech delivered by the couple at a vaccine equality event Global Citizen Live in Central Park.

For one of her first visits to New York with Harry, Meghan wore a navy ensemble with an Armani fur coat, a turtleneck top that was reportedly made by the Olsen twins’ fashion label, The Row , and a pair of boots. pants.

Accessorising the look, Meghan teamed with high-end jewelery in the form of her Cartier wedding earrings and gold Cartier watch, as well as a pink diamond ring.

September 24, 2021 – Harlem

On the second day of her visit to New York, Meghan wore a layered burgundy cashmere ensemble by Loro Piana to a book reading event at a school in Harlem.

The duchess wore an oversized jacket with patch pockets and a clashing orange lining over a close-fitting color-block collar in a similar shade, while booted trousers were also paired with the outfit.

Accessorizing this ensemble, Meghan wore a pair of burgundy suede high heels, a tan belt and tortoiseshell sunglasses.

September 25, 2021-Global Citizen Live

For the Global Citizen Live event, Meghan chose a style of clothing that she is closely associated with – the mini dress.

The white Valentino gown with a plunging hemline, high neck and floral embellishment ensured she was easily visible to the crowds as she stood with Harry on the grand Central Park stage.

On and off the stage, the lookalike wore a black double-breasted coat, said to be by Christian Dior, and she carried a custom black Lady Dior bag, named after her late mother-in-law, Princess Diana.

November 10, 2021—Hail to freedom

Following their visit to New York in September, Harry and Meghan returned to the city in November to attend the Salute to Freedom gala held at the Intrepid Museum, where Harry presented the Intrepid Valor Award to living service members and veterans with the invisible wounds of war.

The awards were held on November 10, the day before Veterans Day in the US and Remembrance Day in Europe. Meghan honored this by wearing a deep red evening dress to the ceremony in the same shade as the poppy she also wore as a traditional symbol of remembrance.

The dress with thin shoulder straps and a voluminous outer skirt was designed by Wes Gordon for Carolina Herrera as part of the designer’s pre-fall 2022 collection.

Meghan paired the dress with red satin Giuseppi Zannoti heels with an embellished clutch and simple diamond jewelry from her collection, including Princess Diana’s diamond tennis bracelet.

February 26, 2022 – NAACP Awards

Meghan paid a subtle tribute to Princess Diana when she accepted the President’s Award at the NAACP Image Awards in February 2022.

Meghan chose an elegant evening gown made to order by designer Christopher John Rogers, a creator of outfits worn by Michelle Obama and Adele.

The asymmetrical blue chiffon dress was reminiscent of a dress worn by Princess Diana during a visit to Thailand in 1988.

April 15, 2022 – Day One of the Invictus Games

For her first public engagement in 2022, Meghan attended the opening events of the Invictus Games held in The Hague, Netherlands with Prince Harry.

For her first outfit of the trip, Meghan wore a double-breasted white pantsuit by Valentino with a matching bag and layered gold jewelry.

The ensemble was styled in the typical relaxed style that Meghan has graced over the past four years, not strikingly tailored but flowy and worn with her hair loose around her shoulders.

April 16, 2022 — Invictus Games opening ceremony

The outfit Meghan chose to wear for the opening ceremony of the Invictus Games was steeped in symbolism and close family ties.

The ensemble consisted of a pair of black boot cut trousers with a white body, open neck by Khaite, with a cross pleat at the center front.

The bust closely resembles a dress worn by Princess Diana, which was sold in the 1997 auction of her most famous dresses and which she posed for Mario Testino in the months before she died.

April 17, 2022—Invictus Games Foundation Event

The Duchess chose another signature mini dress to wear to a reception in honor of the Invictus Games Foundation during the final days of her visit to the Netherlands.

Also from Valentino, this dress featured laser cuts in a subtle arrangement and was teamed with chocolate brown suede heels from Gianvito Rossi and a matching handbag from Khaite.

June 3, 2022 – Platinum Jubilee

Perhaps the most anticipated public appearance Meghan made last year was her participation in the national service of thanksgiving at St Paul’s Cathedral to honor Queen Elizabeth II’s Platinum Jubilee.

The event marked Harry and Meghan’s first public engagement together in Britain since stepping down as royals in 2020 and airing their interview with Oprah Winfrey in 2021.

For the special occasion, in which many eyes were trained on Harry and Meghan, the duchess stood out in a pale ensemble by Christian Dior in Paris.

The outfit consisted of a fitted coat dress cut along the lines of a traditional English coat with a high collar and vented back detail. Accessorizing the look were a pair of white leather gloves, matching heels and a sculpted 1980s-style hat that framed the duchess’ face.

July 18, 2022 — United Nations

For her most recent public appearance, Meghan accompanied Harry to the United Nations in New York, where he delivered a keynote speech honoring Nelson Mandela International Day.

For the occasion, Meghan wore an all-black ensemble created by the designers of her wedding dress – the house of Givenchy in Paris.

The long skirt with patch pockets was paired with a soft jersey top and accessorized with an oxblood handbag from British luxury leather goods designer Mulberry.