Meghan Markle wanted to shine with her work as a royal and not her wardrobe, new bombshell biography Finding Freedom has revealed.
The book, wrritten by Omid Scobie and Carolyn Durand, claims that the Duchess of Sussex, 39, wanted to shine a light on small local businesses and picked a ‘neutral’ outfit herself for her first ever royal engagement with Prince Harry.
On December 1 2017, she wore a £595 midi skirt from Joseph and a £160 bodysuit from Woldford she had selected on her own to accompany Prince Harry to Nottingham, where the couple met crowds on the occasion of World AIDS day.
Finding Freedom provides an intimately detailed and personalised version of the events leading up to the Sussexes’ dramatic departure from royal life, with the co-authors insisting ‘all information in this book has at least two sources’.
On December 1 2017, she wore a £595 midi skirt from Joseph and a £160 bodysuit from Woldford she had selected on her own to accompany Prince Harry to Nottingham, where the couple met crowds on the occasion of World AIDS day
‘In regard to her dress, Meghan didn’t want to be seen as too fashion forward,’ the book reads.
‘She had a “mindful vision,” hoping that the press would focus more on her humanitarian work and less on whether she landed on best-dressed lists,’ it goes on.
Finding Freedom explains that Meghan referred to her outfit as her ‘work wardrobe,’ and made sure it consisted of ‘polished pieces in neutral hues that didn’t detract from the people she was going to be meeting or appear too showy.’
‘Each outfit must also include at least one piece or accessory by a local designer, a show of her solidarity to whatever area she might be visiting,’ the book adds.
For one of her last outing as a royal, Meghan opted for a form fitting blue number from her pal Victoria Beckham
George Northwood, the British hairstylist who worked with Meghan for two years after her wedding, told the authors: ‘She really does put a lot of thought into those details.
‘I always remember wherever we went, she would always try to hero small businesses and local jewelry designers,’ he is quoted saying in the book’.
The book gives the example of the outfit Meghan picked for her first ever royal engagement by Prince Harry’s side, following the couple’s engagement announcement.
‘For that all-important first royal engagement — a December 1 trip to Nottingham to attend a World AIDS Day event and meet with Full Effect, a group of positive role models for kids — Meghan chose a khaki-hued midi skirt from the London-based brand Joseph, a basic black turtleneck, and a pair of black, suede over-the-knee boots crafted by British designer Kurt Geiger,’ the book reads.
For a visit to Cardiff in January 2018, Meghan picked a Stella McCartney coat and a pair of black jeans
She paired the look with a £561 black coat from Mackage, a £34 ($45) belt from Babaton by Aritzia and a £545 Strathberry bag.
‘Her look, which she put together herself, got the stamp of approval from Kensington Palace,’ the book goes on.
Finding Freedom, by Omid Scobie and Carolyn Durand, is out today
Meghan has always been careful to wear items with meaning during her outing.
During her last visit to the UK, on the eve of her and Prince Harry’s official departure as senior royals, she used jewellery to support causes close to her heart.
On the night of the Endeavour Awards, where she stunned in a blue dress from her friend Victoria Beckham, the Duchess wore £95 Gold Snake Hoops by Roxanne First.
The hoops are by designer Roxanne First, which describes itself as the ‘go-to site for the independent woman building her own legacy, piece by piece, occasion by occasion’
On a visit to Cardiff in 2018, she wore a pair of black jeans and a Stella McCartney coat, with an outfit carefully crafted to make a statement.
She wore almost entirely British clothing brands, many from small ethical labels, also striking a point of difference with her sister-in-law Kate, who usually wears more established designers.