With her leather jacket slung over her shoulders, Meghan Markle looked effortlessly cool as she joined Prince Harry at a royal engagement for the first time last night.
The American actress, 36, paired the studded burgundy piece with a plunging V-neck dress for the opening ceremony of the Invictus Games in Toronto, Canada.
While she was not seated alongside Harry, the event still marks a significant milestone in their relationship and will intensify speculation that an engagement announcement is imminent.
Miss Markle’s edgy, laid-back look is world’s apart from the demure ensembles the Duchess of Cambridge sported for her early public engagements with Prince William.
Laid back: Meghan Markle wore a burgundy leather jacket and matching dress as she attended the opening ceremony of the Invictus Games in Toronto, Canada, on Saturday night, her first royal engagement with boyfriend Prince Harry
Early days: In contrast, Kate Middleton favoured demure looks for her first few outings with then boyfriend Prince William. Pictured, Kate wears an off-white coat, black tights and black heeled pumps as she attends William’s graduation ceremony from RAF Cranwell in 2008
In the years before their 2010 engagement Kate joined William at a handful of events, including in June 2008 when she attended the annual Garter Day Service, to celebrate her then boyfriend being invested into the Order of the Garter.
For the occasion Kate, then 26, looked chic in black polka dot peplum jacket and a matching knee-length skirt. She finished the look with a matching saucer hat.
Meghan finished her look last night with smoky eye make-up and left her hair in loose waves
Her appearance at the service, with its historic pomp and pageantry, was the first time she has ever accompanied the prince to an official Royal event.
While the dress code for the day was more formal than what was required of Miss Markle last night, the Duchess of Cambridge has never made a public appearance in a leather jacket and still tends to favour gentler fabrics and feminine cuts.
In April that year she and William posed for photographers together at RAF Cranwell, when the prince was awarded his RAF wings.
Kate Middleton wore a polka dot blazer and matching knee length skirt when she attended the Garter Day Service in June 2008 alongside Prince Harry, left, and the Duchess of Cornwall
Also in June 2008 the second-in-line-to-the-throne allowed himself to be seen with his then girlfriend at a charity ball.
However it was not until February 2011, after their engagement was announced and two months before the royal wedding, that Kate and William marked their first official public engagement together.