Lady in red! Kate Middleton dazzles at Taking Action on Addiction launch in London

Wearing red-on-red, Kate Middleton turned heads at her latest royal engagement as Meghan Markle’s father made a dramatic claim about his daughter.

Wearing an all-red outfit, Kate Middleton turned heads at her latest royal engagement as Meghan Markle’s father made a dramatic claim about his daughter.

The Duchess of Cambridge wore a $1500 pleated Christopher Kane skirt, teamed with a $415 Ralph Lauren turtle neck knit, $846 Ralph Lauren heels and a micro-bag from DeMellier – which had a $543 price tag.

She sported the red hot ensemble to the Taking Action on Addiction launch in London, where she delivered a keynote address.

There, Kate spoke to British TV presenter Ant McPartlin, who opened up about his own battle with addiction.

Catherine, the Duchess of Cambridge, at the launch of ‘Taking Action on Addiction’ at BAFTA in London. Picture: Getty Images

Led by the Forward Trust, ‘Taking Action on Addiction’ is a long-term campaign which will work to improve awareness and understanding of addiction. Picture: Getty Images

”Addiction is not a choice. No one chooses to become an addict. But it can happen to any one of us. None of us are immune,” the Duchess of Cambridge, 39, said in her address.

”Yet it’s all too rarely discussed as a serious mental health condition.

“And seldom do we take the time to uncover and fully understand its fundamental root causes.”

Kate addressed the launch, wearing Christopher Kane and Ralph Lauren. Picture: Getty Images

She’s red-y! Lady in red. Picture: Getty Images

WHY MEGHAN ‘CHANGED’

Thomas Markle says his estranged daughter Meghan changed after she “hooked up with (Prince) Harry” and that she has now “pretty much disowned both sides of her family”.

Speaking to Good Morning Britain, Thomas also accused the Duke and Duchess of Sussex of abandoning the royal family.

“She’d never been that way before, and once she hooked up with Harry, she changed,” he said.

Thomas Markle says his daughter “changed” after she started seeing Prince Harry. Picture: Getty Images

“I understand that she hooked up with Soho Club and a different group of people, but she’s pretty much disowned both sides of her family, and I don’t understand the reason for it.”

Mr Markle – who has repeatedly spoken publicly about the breakdown of his relationship with Meghan – said he will not stop giving interviews until his daughter talks to him.

'Once she hooked up with Harry, she changed.'

Meghan Markle's father Thomas Markle says Meghan has cut off both sides of her family and he 'doesn't understand it'.

Watch GMB now 👉 https://t.co/6iQ6ebeOEQpic.twitter.com/Ya0j5NglvF

— Good Morning Britain (@GMB) October 19, 2021

Mr Markle has never met Harry or the couple’s children Archie and Lilibet, and did not attend their wedding in 2018 after he was caught staging paparazzi photos then had a heart attack and required surgery.

“I’ve made it quite clear that until I hear from her, until she does speak to me, that I will continue to do this [television interviews],” he told the program.

“I will do a show at least a month, if I can get it through, and eventually sooner or later she’ll start talking to me. This is way too childish, this is kind of silly, it’s time to talk with each other, we’re family.

Meghan Markle is estranged from her father. Picture: AFP

“The kids are going to grow up without knowing that they have two families. This is more than just me and my daughter now, this is me and my daughter, her husband and two babies involved now, so it’s time to do something. It’s time to talk.”

During the interview, Mr Markle also took aim at Prince Harry and his upcoming memoir, which is slated to be published by Penguin Random House in late 2022.

“All he does now is ride a bicycle around the neighbourhood he lives in (Montecito, California),” Mr Markle said, referring to when his son-in-law was photographed in March riding a bike followed by a security team.

“I don’t know it’s much of a life for him either, it doesn’t make sense.

“Harry’s coming out with a book, and that can’t be anything but cruel and to insult his grandmother, the Queen. It’s a ridiculous idea, and it’s just something for money,” he continued.

“That’s all they’re doing. Everything they’re doing is for money.”

Harry previously said in a statement that the book is being written “not as the prince I was born but as the man I have become”.

“I’ve worn many hats over the years, both literally and figuratively, and my hope is that in telling my story – the highs and lows, the mistakes, the lessons learned – I can help show that no matter where we come from, we have more in common than we think,” he said.

Financial terms were not disclosed. Prince Harry will donate proceeds to charity, according to Random House.