Meghan Markle sparks royal frenzy in ‘dull’ look amid landing in Australia (Image: pa)
Meghan Markle and Prince Harry have jetted to Australia for a series of unofficial engagements. The former royal couple kicked off their trip with a visit to a children’s hospital, where they met patients and staff as part of their opening appearance.
But while the focus was on their charitable work, it was Meghan’s outfit that quickly caught the attention of royal watchers. The Duchess of Sussex, 44, stepped out in a navy dress by Australian designer Karen Gee, believed to retail at around £650.
She paired the look with Dior heels, which are estimated to cost upwards of £1,000, completing a polished and understated ensemble. While the choice of colour appeared to offer a thoughtful nod to Australia – with navy often associated with the country’s national flag, the look sparked a mixed reaction online.
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The Duke and Duchess of Sussex was snapped mingling with patients on an oncology ward (Image: PA)
Some social media users were quick to criticise the outfit, describing it as underwhelming for such a high-profile appearance.
Writing on Instagram, one user shared: “A nice dull sliding toward 50 outfit. Not what I was expecting at all.” Another agreed and wrote: “How predictable and boring for her fake royal tour.”
However, not all reactions were negative. Others praised Meghan’s decision to support a local designer and commended the simplicity of the look.
One person commented: “Aussie here. I’m glad to see the Duchess wearing one of our designers’ dresses. This dress is beautifully crafted, the design and fit is perfect. Great job, Karen Gee, love the Navy colour.”
Meghan Markle’s dress retails at £650 and was designed by Karen Gee (Image: pa)
A second user agreed, adding: “Okay, this is so much better! She looks great in it and it fits her good! Her shoes are great too! Stunning!”
The debate comes as the nature of the Sussexes’ visit continues to draw scrutiny. Although the structure of their itinerary mirrors that of a traditional royal tour, their team has stressed that the trip is not official.
Instead, it has been described as a privately funded visit, organised following invitations from various Australian organisations, and centred around causes the Duke and Duchess have long supported.
Unlike official royal tours, the couple are not expected to carry out public walkabouts or meet large crowds. Their schedule has been carefully managed, with no plans for spontaneous public interactions, reportedly due to the logistical and financial challenges of ensuring security.
For the couple’s second engagement they co-ordinated in khaki (Image: PA)
Later in the day, Meghan and Harry, 41, attended a second engagement at the Australian National Veterans Arts Museum.
For the visit, the couple opted for coordinated khaki tones, presenting a more unified and relaxed look.
Meghan’s outfit, in particular, marked another subtle shift in her style. The Duchess appeared more polished, styling her hair in a sleek updo that offered a more refined finish compared to the softer, California-inspired looks she has favoured in recent years.
The structured hairstyle, combined with the tailored silhouette, echoed elements of her earlier royal wardrobe.
‘ The preceding article may include information circulated by third parties ’
‘ Some details of this article were extracted from the following source www.express.co.uk ’
