Meghan Markle displayed her flair for diplomatic dressing as she kicked off the first day of her Colombian tour with Prince Harry on Thursday, changing three times in the space of just a few hours.
The Duchess of Sussex was invited with Harry to undertake a three-day visit to Colombia by the country’s Vice President Francia Márquez in the hopes that the couple would “illuminate” the country’s role as “a beacon of culture and innovation.”
The acceptance of the offer raised eyebrows in Britain as it is the second unofficial royal-style tour that the couple have undertaken this year, following a trip to Nigeria at the invitation of the country’s chief of defense staff in May.
Courtesy of the Vice President’s Office/RAUL ARBOLEDA/AFP via Getty Images
Since splitting from the monarchy and moving to the U.S. in 2020, Harry and Meghan no longer represent the royal family or the British government in any official capacity. Any work, visits or projects undertaken by the couple are now done so in a private capacity, allowing them a greater degree of freedom.
Harry and Meghan attended an official welcome meeting with the vice president and her partner in the city of Bogotá on Thursday morning, where the duchess debuted a striking new outfit.
Meghan opted for a coordinating two-piece suit set by the American fashion brand Veronica Beard, co-founded by sisters-in-law Veronica Miele Beard and Veronica Swanson Beard, to provide women with a capsule wardrobe of classic pieces with a modern twist.
Meghan wore the brand’s “Orlinda” vest with a halterneck silhouette in deep navy with a pair of their “Arte” pants, creating an updated take on a classic suit.
Courtesy of the Vice President’s Office
Following their welcome, Harry and Meghan’s second engagement saw them visit a local charter school, Colegio Cultura Popular, where they attended an “insight session” focused on online safety.
The third event of the day saw Harry and Meghan make a quick change before they attended a special cultural showcase highlighting the artistic legacy and community of Bogotá.
For this, the duchess changed into a strapped cocktail dress with a central skirt split and keyhole cutout by one of her favorite designers, Colombian-born Johanna Ortiz.
Meghan has worn Ortiz designs during red carpet appearances, receptions and sports events, most recently during her visit to Nigeria in May.
Courtesy of the Vice President’s Office
The dress chosen for the cultural showcase featured a metallic woven design in burgundy and gold. The original design features removable ruffled sleeves, which Meghan opted to go without.
The duchess’ third outfit change of the day came for her participation in the “Summit on a Responsible Digital Future,” which was hosted at the Universidad EAN.
For this event, Meghan wore a rust brown ensemble, featuring a crepe blouse and silk wide-legged pants in a relaxed style that she has often adopted for speaking engagements.
RAUL ARBOLEDA/AFP via Getty Images
The three looks in conjunction offered a variety of styles with key messaging typical for Meghan, who takes her personal styling particularly seriously to convey messages and pay respect.
Her combining a formal look for a formal welcome, a look created by a Colombian designer for a Colombian heritage event, and a paired-back look for a serious speaking engagement showcases her understanding and skill at crafting a cohesive wardrobe for a complex round of engagements.
Harry and Meghan’s visit to Colombia will run until August 18. They will also visit the cities of Cali and Cartagena.
James Crawford-Smith is Newsweek‘s royal reporter, based in London. You can find him on X (formerly Twitter) at @jrcrawfordsmith and read his stories on Newsweek‘s The Royals Facebook page.
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