It was the moment the world had been waiting for and Meghan Markle didn’t disappoint in the sartorial stakes as she made her first public appearance with new fiance, Prince Harry.
Meghan, who yesterday announced her engagement to Prince Harry, looked resplendent in a chic belted white coat dress from Line the Label, which she wore over a £437 dress by Parosh and offset with vertiginous £369 Matilde Crisscross Nude Suede Pumps by Aquazzura heels as she cosied up to her prince charming.
However, it appeared that Meghan had taken inspiration from someone else when it came to carefully curating her look.
Indeed, a British radio presenter had worn a near-identical ensemble when she hung out with Prince Harry just a few weeks ago.
Neev Spencer, a Broadcaster and Kiss FM DJ from London, attended a royal event for Head’s Together – the charity Kate, William and Harry established – at St James Palace on October 13 in a near-identical outfit.
She believes that Prince Harry was so impressed with her style that he recommended the look to his fiance.
Neev Spencer, left, met Prince Harry at an event at Kensington Palace on October 13 and was wearing a near-identical outfit to the one Meghan Markle chose to announce her engagement yesterday, right
Speaking about her first thoughts when she saw the snaps of Meghan yesterday, Neev told MailOnline: ‘I thought OMG that’s me! I couldn’t believe the striking resemblance. I am faltered, surprised, shocked and humbled that I may have influenced the engagement look.’
Neev, who describes Harry as ‘charming and polite with a swagger’, added: ‘My inner goddess is saying that Prince Harry must have taken one look at me and thought that’s how I want my future wifey to look when I announce her to the world.’
While Meghan’s garments were from Line the Label, Parosh and high-end Aquazzura, Neev’s coat was from Ted Baker and her shoes Aruna Seth.
Her look was curated by stylist Victoria Hamilton, who shared the hilarious side-by-side snap of Neev and Meghan with the caption: ‘When you style the very wonderful Neev for a Royal event for @heads_together at St James Palace and a month later you both appear to have influenced THE engagement outfit (we even had the puddles first).’
Her look was curated by stylist Victoria Hamilton, and her coat was from Ted Baker and her shoes Aruna Seth. She thinks Harry wanted his wife-to-be to dress the same way as her
Neev is pictured with the Duchess of Cambridge at a mental health charity event; she has spent a lot of time with the young royals over the years
Neev works with the royal family’s Heads Together charity and has met Kate, William and Harry countless times. She regularly shares snaps of her with the royals on her Instagram page.
Meghan and Harry announced their engagement on Monday and the Suits actress, 36, showcased the stunning ring designed by Prince Harry himself with one stone from Botswana, where he and Meghan recently holidayed, and two diamonds from Diana’s personal collection.
The ring was made by Cleave and Company, Court Jewellers and Medallists to Her Majesty The Queen. At its centre is a diamond from Botswana, a country that holds special significance for Prince Harry who has visited many times since he was a child. It is also a place the couple has spent time together over the last year and a half.
The ring features two outside stones, which are diamonds from the personal collection of Prince Harry’s mother, Diana, Princess of Wales.
Neev, who describes Harry as ‘charming and polite with a swagger’, works for Kiss FM radio and is a mental health charity ambassador
Prince Harry later revealed in the couple’s first joint television interview that he mounted the stones on yellow gold because it is her ‘favourite’. He said: ‘The ring is – is obviously yellow gold because that’s what – her favourite and the main stone itself I sourced from Botswana and the – the little diamonds either side are from my mother’s jewellery collection to make sure that she’s with us on this – on this crazy journey together.’
David Allen of 77 Diamonds said a ring of this size and quality would start at around £50,000 but with the use of the late Princess Diana’s diamonds as side stones, this ring, like Kate’s before it is of inestimable worth.
Meghan Markle and Prince Harry made their first appearance together after announcing their engagement. Prince Harry designed the diamond engagement ring with one stone from Botswana and two diamonds from Diana’s personal collection
Meghan looked resplendent in a chic belted white coat dress and vertiginous heels as she cosied up to her prince charming
Prince Harry designed the engagement ring, which was made by Cleave and Company, Court Jewellers and Medallists to Her Majesty The Queen
Poignantly the royal chose their first photocall in the Sunken Garden at Kensington Palace, much loved by his late mother Diana.
Harry and his brother William had white roses planted there in her memory when the 20th anniversary of her death fell in August.
The couple will appear together on national TV in the UK for the first time this evening to discuss their engagement and whirlwind relationship of 16 months.
Harry, 33, who revealed a year ago he had fallen for the actress after a four to six month secret relationship, proposed to Meghan, 36, in London earlier this month.
One of the diamonds was from Botswana, where he and Meghan recently holidayed
The royal looked nervous but happy and his fiancee stroked his arm lovingly as they spoke to reporters, who asked him: ‘When did you know she was the one?’ and he replied: ‘From the very first time we met’
In a nod to her previous home of Toronto, Meghan chose to wear a coat from Canadian brand Line The Label. Founded in 2000 by friends John Muscat And Jennifer Wells, the brand is known for its stylish knitwear and use of sumptuous materials and counts actresses Sarah Jessica Parker and Kate Bosworth among its A-list fans.
Wrapping up against the cold, Meghan offered only a glimpse of her dress beneath her white coat. The forest green frock was designed by P.A.R.O.S.H, the brainchild of Italian designer Paolo Rossello. The brand channels a classically mod aesthetic that is revamped with playful patterning and bold, vibrant colours.
Meghan chose to support Canadian fine jewellery brand Birks for her official engagement photocall. She donned a pair of £850 18K yellow gold and opal earrings from Birks in the official announcement, taken outdoors, in the grounds at Kensington Palace.