Meghan Markle and Kate Middleton enjoy first engagement

Meghan Markle pulled out all the sartorial stops this morning as she finally swapped her trusty trousers for a dress for her first official engagement alongside the Duchess of Cambridge. 

Meghan, 36, chose a sleeveless navy dress for the first annual Royal Foundation Forum on Wednesday, which she wore with strappy sandals and bare legs – despite the fact snow was falling outside. 

Ms. Markle has previously played it safe when it comes to royal dressing – typically plumping for dark cover-ups, baggy knitwear and wide-legged trousers – but today marked a dramatic departure from the former actress’s androgynous style as she showcased a decidedly more feminine look.

Her outfit today was a variation of a £1,415 belted satin wrap dress by Canadian designer Jason Wu – a favourite of Michelle Obama – featuring a belted waist and a daring thigh split, and has also been worn by model Coco Rocha.

Meanwhile Kate, who is almost eight months pregnant, played it safe as she dressed her bump in a £99 cornflower blue dress from maternity label Séraphine which she previously wore in January. 

While the Duchess, who is almost eight months pregnant, played it safe in an old Séraphone maternity dress, Meghan finally ditched the trousers and dazzled in a sleeveless navy Jason Wu number

The Duchess, also 36, accessorised with her trusty £4,100 Cartier Ballon Blue watch. 

Celebrity stylist and designer Lucas Armitage (the-timeless.com) told FEMAIL: ‘Here both Meghan and Kate show unity by colour co-ordinating in blue. Both look classic and amazingly dressed for the Occasion and it’s the first time they have looked like future sister in laws. 

‘Meghan seems to be taking a leaf out of Kate’s more feminine classic style. The navy hue works perfectly here in relaxed silk tailoring! Kate once again serves a lesson in pregnancy style in a form fitting powder blue dress. 

‘Both Kate and Meghan disprove the fashion theory blue and black can not be worn together complimenting their prospective looks with black courts.’ 

The soon-to-be sisters in law – who have only been photographed together once previously – joined William and Harry at the Aviva offices in London. 

The so-called ‘fab four’ have only been photographed together once, while attending a church service in Sandringham with the Queen over the Christmas holidays.

Today’s event, under the theme ‘Making a Difference Together,’ will showcase the programmes run or initiated by the Royal Foundation, and will include a number of delegates who have been involved in key projects. 

Pulling out all the stops: Meghan has so far played it safe for her first royal engagements, typically plumping for black, beige or grey cover-ups, baggy knitwear and wide-legged trousers - but today marked  a departure from her androgynous look

Pulling out all the stops: Meghan has so far played it safe for her first royal engagements, typically plumping for black, beige or grey cover-ups, baggy knitwear and wide-legged trousers – but today marked a departure from her androgynous look

Meghan looked chic in the belted wrap dress by Jason Wu

Meanwhile, Kate recycled a maternity dress she's previously worn

Meghan looked chic in the belted wrap dress by Jason Wu, while Kate recycled a maternity dress she’s previously worn

Royal bride-to-be Meghan chose another Canadian designer as she continues to champion brands from her former home

Royal bride-to-be Meghan chose another Canadian designer as she continues to champion brands from her former home

Meghan and Kate - who have only been photographed together once previously - donned dresses as they joined William and Harry at the first annual Royal Foundation Forum at the Aviva offices in London on Wednesday

Meghan and Kate – who have only been photographed together once previously – donned dresses as they joined William and Harry at the first annual Royal Foundation Forum at the Aviva offices in London on Wednesday

The Royal Foundation’s programmes to date include Heads Together, the Invictus Games, United for Wildlife, Coach Core and the Endeavour Fund.

William, Kate, Harry and Meghan will appear on stage together to discuss why The Royal Foundation was set up, the projects they are currently working on, and their ambitions for the future, as well as meeting with other forum attendees.

Meghan will formally become the fourth patron of The Royal Foundation after her and Harry’s wedding on May 19. 

Launched in 2011, The Royal Foundation was set up by William and Harry as the main vehicle to pursue their charitable and philanthropic interests. 

Meghan and Kate both showed off flawless beauty looks as they took to the stage at the Royal Foundation Forum

Meghan and Kate both showed off flawless beauty looks as they took to the stage at the Royal Foundation Forum

The sister-in-laws to be both wore their glossy blow-dried locks down over their shoulders, while opting for subtle make-up 

The sister-in-laws to be both wore their glossy blow-dried locks down over their shoulders, while opting for subtle make-up 

Both Meghan and Kate finished off their stylish ensembles with a pair of chic black heels for the event today

The pair both looked in high spirits during the event

Both Meghan and Kate finished off their stylish ensembles with a pair of chic black heels for the event today 

Glamorous guests: Today's event, under the theme ‘Making a Difference Together,’ will showcase the programmes run or initiated by the Royal Foundation, and will include a number of delegates who have been involved in key projects

Glamorous guests: Today’s event, under the theme ‘Making a Difference Together,’ will showcase the programmes run or initiated by the Royal Foundation, and will include a number of delegates who have been involved in key projects

After Kate became patron following the 2011 Royal Wedding, the trio began working together, as well as convening others to help tackle challenges in society.

Since then, the Royal Foundation has grown significantly, working in communities across the UK and beyond.

There are currently a number of unique programmes run by The Royal Foundation, including the nationwide sporting apprenticeship scheme Coach Core, the veteran support organisation The Endeavour Fund, and the new Heads Together mentally healthy schools initiative that is helping teachers support their pupils’ mental wellbeing.

Today’s Forum will be hosted by BBC presenter and Radio 1 newsreader Tina Daheley. The audience will be made up of invited guests, supporters of The Royal Foundation, and programme partners and beneficiaries.



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