Since marrying Prince Harry in May, Meghan has opted for sleeker hairdos when attending official engagements, however, today saw the return of her signature messy bun.
The Duchess of Sussex, 36, showcased her former boho style in a loose updo as she and the Duke of Sussex arrived at the Nelson Mandela Centenary Exhibition at Southbank Centre’s Queen Elizabeth Hall to officially open the exhibit.
And while she has recently steered away from the pale pink uniform she was seen in post wedding, Meghan made a return to the shade for her engagement today.
She opted for an unusual sleeveless trench coat The newly-minted Duchess flew the flag for her former home of Canada in a coat by Alberta based ethical brand House of Nonie on Tuesday.
The Duchess of Sussex, 36, opted for an unusual sleeveless trench coat as she and the Duke of Sussex arrived at the Nelson Mandela Centenary Exhibition at Southbank Centre’s Queen Elizabeth Hall on Tuesday
She kept her accessories to a minimal opting for a continuation of the nude colour palette with a boxy leather clutch and matching stilettos.
The couple were greeted by directors of the Southbank Centre in London as they arrived for their tour before its official opening.
This exhibition explores the life and times of Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela (1918 – 2013) and marks the centenary of his birth.
It provides insight into Mandela’s journey from young freedom fighter to becoming the inspiration for an international movement against South Africa’s violent and oppressive apartheid system.
The Duchess wore her hair in her signature ‘messy bun’ allowing lose strands of hair to escape for a more casual look
The newly-minted Duchess flew the flag for her former home of Canada in a coat by Alberta based brand House of Nonie on Tuesday
Before marrying Prince Harry Meghan was famed for her messy bun which made a triumphant return on Tuesday
The exhibition is jointly curated by the Apartheid Museum in South Africa, the British Anti-Apartheid Movement Archives, and the Southbank Centre.
The exhibition is based around six themes (Character, Comrade, Leader, Prisoner, Negotiator, Statesman), and is made up of information and photo panels, along with films and archive items from different periods of Nelson Mandela’s life.
Their Royal Highnesses will tour the exhibition and at each themed panel will meet people associated with the exhibition and with Mandela’s work including Andrew Mlangeni, who stood as an accused on charges of sabotage against the then apartheid government during the Rivonia Trials in 1938, and spent 26 years imprisoned on Robben Island.
The Duke and Duchess appeared in good spirits as they arrived at the Southbank Centre this morning
The couple put on a typically tactile display as they arrived to cheers from well-wishers at the famous London landmark
Items on display include a Collected Works of Shakespeare which was smuggled onto Robben Island and features annotations made by Mandela and his contemporaries.
There is also a letter of thanks from the statesman to the British public written on April 16, 1990, the day Mandela attended the Wembley concert held in his honour, he thanks the British public for their ‘overwhelming generosity’.
Thembi Tambo, the South Africa High Commissioner to the UK and daughter of anti-apartheid politician Oliver Tambo, who was a close colleague of Mandela’s, will also be present.
Their Royal Highnesses will listen to speeches by Lord Peter Hain, Chair of The Nelson Mandela Centenary Committee, and Elaine Bedell, Chief Executive of Southbank Centre, before joining those present in celebrating the official opening of the exhibition that will launch two days ahead of Southbank Centre’s Africa Utopia festival (19th – 22nd July).
Harry and Meghan wave at onlookers as they arrive for their visit to the launch of the exhibition this morning
The free exhibition Harry and Meghan are attending traces Mr Mandela’s career from activist to president through six themes
Harry and Meghan arrive for the launch of the exhibition, marking the 100th anniversary of anti-apartheid leader’s birth
Photographers and cameraman picture Harry and Meghan as they arrive at the Southbank Centre this morning
The Nelson Mandela Centenary Exhibition will run at Southbank Centre from 17th July to 19th August.
Ahead of the couple’s visit leading former anti-apartheid campaigner Lord Peter Hain, who is chair of the Nelson Mandela Centenary Exhibition, welcomed the support.
He said: ‘The Mandela Centenary Exhibition at Queen Elizabeth Hall, Southbank Centre, which is free to visitors from 17 July – 19 August, will depict the anti-apartheid freedom struggle and Mandela’s vision of a non-racial rainbow democracy based upon justice, equality and human rights.
‘We are delighted the Duke and Duchess will be supporting it.’
Harry visited Mandela’s cell, where he spent 18 years imprisoned by the Apartheid regime, during a trip to South Africa’s Robben Island, and he also toured the statesman’s offices and met his widow Graca Machel in 2015.
Harry’s family had a close relationship with the former statesman, who campaigned throughout his life against apartheid
The exhibition looks at Mr Mandela through the themes of character, comrade, leader, prisoner, negotiator and statesman