The Duchess of Sussex stepped out solo as a member of the Royal Family for the first time tonight as she attended an art exhibition in London.
Meghan left her husband, Prince Harry, at home as she visited the Royal Academy of Arts in Piccadilly for the opening of ‘Oceania’, the first ever major survey of Oceanic art to be held in the United Kingdom.
Meghan was wearing an elegant black bespoke Givenchy midi dress with vertiginous black heels as she arrived by car for her first solo engagement four months after her wedding.
The Duchess of Sussex left her husband, Prince Harry, at home as she visited the Royal Academy of Arts in Piccadilly for the opening of ‘Oceania’, the first ever major survey of Oceanic art to be held in the United Kingdom
Until now the newest royal (pictured at the Royal Academy of Arts) has always stepped out on official engagements with her husband or another member of the Royal Family – including the Queen – by her side
It was an early solo debut with the Firm for the former actress. Her sister-in-law the Duchess of Cambridge carried out her first solo engagement , standing in for Prince Charles at a private fundraising dinner, in October 2011, almost six months after her wedding day.
Meghan, who married on May 19, is a much more experienced performer on the world stage than Kate was at this point in her marriage.
Until now the newest royal has always stepped out on official engagements with her husband or another member of the Royal Family – including the Queen – by her side.
But her training as an actress, not to mention her sense of style and confidence, has already earned her plaudits.
The Duchess of Cambridge carried out her first solo engagement, standing in for the Prince of Wales at a private fundraising dinner, in October 2011, almost six months after her wedding day.
However Meghan, who married on May 19, will take part in her first royal event by herself four months after becoming a member of the monarchy.
The Oceania exhibition celebrates the art of Melanesia, Micronesia and Polynesia, encompassing the vast Pacific region including New Guinea, Easter Island, Hawaii and New Zealand.
It brings together around 200 works from public collections worldwide, spanning over 500 years.
The exhibition also marks the 250th anniversary of the Royal Academy, which was founded in 1768 – the same year Captain James Cook set out on his first Endeavour expedition.
The academy show has been organised around three main themes: voyaging will look at life on the water as revealed through the stories of indigenous navigation; place-making will explore the settlement of communities; and Encounter will focus on trade and exchange in Pacific cultures.
Meghan was wearing an elegant black bespoke Givenchy midi dress with vertiginous black heels as she arrived by car for her first solo engagement four months after her wedding
Meghan waved to onlookers as she walked into the exhibition, which brings together around 200 works from public collections worldwide, spanning over 500 years
The Duchess of Cambridge carried out her first solo engagement, standing in for the Prince of Wales at a private fundraising dinner at Clarence House in London, in October 2011, almost six months after her wedding day
Significantly, the Duchess will spend time viewing exhibits from different regions including New Zealand, Fiji, the Kingdom of Tonga and Australia, which she and The Duke of Sussex will visit on their first Commonwealth tour together next month.
She will also meet the exhibition’s curators and artists as well as descendants linked to the works displayed and view a short performance of Ngāti Rānana, a Māori cultural group.
The Duke and Duchess’s programme during their three-week official trip will focus on youth leadership, environmental and conservation efforts.
‘Oceania’ runs at the Royal Academy of Arts from 29th September – 10th December 2018. For more information about the exhibition, click here.