Meghan Markle on tour in Australia: What the Duchess of Sussex wore Day 3
WE were all wondering how the Duchess was going brave the beach in stilettos. But a sneaky costume change in a restaurant solved that.
WELCOME to Melbourne, Meghan and Harry! We hope you like volatile weather, intricate coffee art and unreliable public transport, because we have that in spades in this fair southern state.
Thankfully we’ve had almost 24 hours to recover from the almost unbearable cuteness that was Luke Vincent fondling Harry’s beard and breaking royal protocol by giving everyone bear hugs, and we can go back to dissecting the Duchess’s fashion choices.
The big question was whether Meghan was going to attempt to pick up rubbish on South Melbourne beach in the Manolo Blahnik stilettos she was photographed in earlier today.
But Meghan aint no fool. She had a sneaky costume change over lunch at Fitzroy’s Charcoal Lane restaurant.
She went in wearing one outfit and came out in this.
The appropriate black flat shoes look like the Rothy’s shoes that she wore in Sydney on day 1 of the tour (which people went mad for).
The dress is apparently the Miguellina Dress ($375) by Canadian brand Club Monaco.
We believe #MeghanMarkle is wearing the @ClubMonaco Miguelina dress for the afternoon's engagements in Melbourne (Credit to the amazing @Japanese_Ginger!) https://t.co/hyY5OOgF3f pic.twitter.com/sYwsyjQMTT
â Meghans Mirror (@MeghansMirror) October 18, 2018
Last time Meghan wore a Club Monaco dress (to a wedding in August, pictured below) it sold out within hours, so we can only imagine the Miguellina’s days are numbered.
Before the excitement of dodging seagulls and collecting rubbish from this strangely pristine beach, Harry and Meghan got meet children at Albert Park Primary school.
They also enjoyed a remarkably short tram ride. Wouldn’t it have been fun if a ticket inspector had jumped out, verbally harassed them then fined them $350? That’d be the real Melbourne experience right there.
Meghan began her Melbourne pit-stop earlier today by greeting well wishes on the way to an official event at Government House.
She reused the beige Martin Grant “style 1” trench coat that she sported in Sydney earlier this week (clever packing!) and also donned a navy dress by Aussie designer Dion Lee.
READ MORE: Cute story behind Meghan’s disappearing necklace
The “folded sail” dress is a new collection piece from Lee, and is available for pre-order on the designer’s website (you won’t be able to get your hands on it until December/January).
Within minutes of Meghan being photographed in the dress, the designer’s website crashed.
Lee told the Herald Sun he was thrilled that the Duchess chose to wear one of his designs and said she perfectly embodies his brand’s ethos.
“I think Meghan brings a sophistication and ease to the designs; she is relatable to people and that relaxed sophistication is at the core of our brand.”
Lee said the classic design was made at Meghan’s request after seeing another of his designs that she admired.
“We custom-made the gown at her request and it’s so special to see the product on Meghan. “She looks beautiful and we are so grateful for the worldwide exposure she has given the brand.”
Shoe wise she went with navy Manolo Blahnik BB pumps ($877) … which are naturally now sold out. She accessorised with a gold cuff bracelet by British designer Shaun Lane and really went all out in the handbag stakes with the Gucci Sylvie leather mini chain bag ($1380).
UPDATE: It's likely the brand's "Mini" Sylvie, which does not have the straps for handles at the top. Thanks to @LadyParky79! ð pic.twitter.com/jDWAYidWnR
â Meghans Mirror (@MeghansMirror) October 17, 2018
Also, you have to hand it to her — girlfriend is really making that blow dry last. We expect to see the messy bun make an appearance tomorrow.
But perhaps the moment that made us realise Meghan is just like us is when she was asked to handball a footy while wearing designer threads.
You can almost see her thinking “I am not dressed for this” as she tallies up the value of her gold bracelet, money-can’t-buy dress and fresh manicure and smiles through the indignity.
God forbid the video cameras capture her executing a Mean Girls-style catch.
Thankfully, British royal correspondent Emily Andrews was there to capture the candid moment for us in all its glory:
Video: A rather reluctant #Meghan is encouraged to throw a rugby ball as part of the This Girl Can sports demonstration. Iâm not sure she has has thrown a rugby ball for some time (ever??): this is usually #princeharryâs territory! #RoyalTour pic.twitter.com/0jiSJGe2kV
â Emily Andrews (@byEmilyAndrews) October 18, 2018