Meghan Markle Commonwealth Day outfit 'calculated' says expert

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Today marks exactly one year since Meghan and Harry stepped down as senior royals, but their last engagement was the Commonwealth Day service, which was several weeks before their final day in their roles. Meghan stunned in an eye-catching emerald green ensemble and Harry looked dapper in a blue suit, but one family member was conspicuously missing from the event. The Duke of York, 61, had stepped back from royal duties several months before in the wake of the Jeffrey Epstein Scandal and his disastrous interview with Emily Maitlis on BBC Newsnight.

He said in a statement: “It has become clear to me over the last few days that the circumstances relating to my former association with Jeffrey Epstein has become a major disruption to my family’s work and the valuable work going on in the many organisations and charities that I am proud to support.”

Andrew has kept a low profile ever since, not attending big royal events with his family, and indeed a number of charities have severed their ties with him entirely.

Just a couple of months after he stepped back, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex announced their decision to step down as senior royals.

They said in a statement that they wished to work to become financially independent and to split their time between the UK and North America.

The couple were in Canada at the time, but Prince Harry returned to the UK to hash out the agreement at the Sandringham Summit.

After the parameters were set, he and Meghan did a flurry of final engagements before stepping down on March 31, exactly a year ago today.

Their last engagement was on March 9 when the Royal Family all came together to mark Commonwealth Day with a service at Westminster Abbey.

The Sussexes were joined by the Queen, Prince Charles, Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, Prince William, Kate, Duchess of Cambridge, Prince Edward and Sophie, Countess of Wessex.

Harry and Meghan arrived at Westminster Abbey after Edward and Sophie and before Kate and William.

This was a change from previous years, when the three couples were conducted to their seats instead of walking in the royal procession.

The Queen sat in the front row with Charles, Camilla, William and Kate.

As the Cambridges sat down, Meghan was seen saying “hi” and giving a small wave to her in-laws.

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Other than this small interaction however, they did not speak much and the tension between the Sussexes and the rest of the family was clear to see.

William and Kate even turned round to speak to Edward and Sophie at one point, but did not engage Meghan and Harry.

The Queen and members of the Royal Family met people involved in the service upon departure, which included a reflection given by boxing champion and Olympic gold medallist Anthony Joshua and performances from Craig David and Alexandra Burke.

Guests also included Prime Minister Boris Johnson, the Commonwealth Secretary-General, the Rt Hon Patricia Scotland QC, alongside High Commissioners, Ambassadors and dignitaries, senior politicians from across the UK and Commonwealth, faith leaders and 800 school children and young people.

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The royals were all dressed up to the nines, with Meghan wearing a green caped dress by British designer Emilia Wickstead, with a matching hat by William Chambers.

She paired this with nude Aquazzura heels and a satin top-handle bag by Gabriela Hearst, finishing the look with a sleek bun and Birks ‘Snowstorm’ earrings.

Kate wore a repeat burgundy coat by Catherine Walker with a matching hat by Sally-Ann Provan and her Gianvito Rossi court shoes.

William wore a dark suit and his tie matched his wife’s outfit.

Edward donned a navy pin-stripe suit and his favourite cat print tie, while Sophie wore a white and navy Suzanna dress with a matching hat by Jane Taylor.

The Queen herself looked beautiful in an air force blue cashmere double-breasted coat by Stewart Parvin with a matching feathered hat.

Camilla opted for a navy blue silk and lace dress and coat by Bruce Oldfield and a feathered Philip Treacy hat.

Soon after this event, Meghan and Harry left the country for North America and have not been back since, due to the coronavirus pandemic.

However, Harry is set to return for the opening of the Princess Diana statue in the Sunken Gardens of Kensington Palace, which he will do with his brother William.

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