The Duchess of Sussex looked stunning in one of her favourite designers as she arrived at her first solo engagement on Tuesday.
Meghan, 37, enlisted the designer behind her wedding dress, Givenchy as she attended the opening of ‘Oceania’ at the Royal Academy of Arts, without her husband Prince Harry in tow.
The French fashion brand, of which the royal wedding dress designer Clare Waight Keller is artistic director, has proved to be a firm favourite in the royal wardrobe.
The elegant black dress worn this evening, costing £2,510, featured sheer sleeves as well as velvet panel around the neckline.
She could be seen carrying a small black box clutch, £1,390- also by Givenchy as she made her way into the Royal Academy.
The Duchess of Sussex stunned in all black as she attended the launch of ‘Oceania’ at the Royal Academy of Arts as part of her first solo engagement on Tuesday
The former actress showcased her flawless figure with a waist cinching belt and showed a flash of leg with a thigh high split.
Meghan also relied on an old favourite when it came to her shoes, opting for a pair of Aquazzura stilettos, £490, which she has worn on several previous engagements.
The confident royal revisited the straighter hair style that she debuted during her engagement at Loughborough University with Prince Harry on Monday.
The fitted black dress complete with sheer sleeves and velvet panels is by the brand behind Meghan’s wedding dress, Givenchy
The Duchess showcased her flawless figure with a waist cinching belt and carried a simple clutch bag also by the French designer
Despite this being the first time that Meghan has attended an engagement alone, the royal showed no nerves as she greeted officials outside the academy on Tuesday evening.
The smiling Duchess then turned to the crowds, flashing a smile and a wave to the well-wishers who had gathered in anticipation of her arrival.
It was an early solo debut with the Firm for the former actress. Her sister-in-law the Duchess of Cambridge carried out her first solo engagement , standing in for Prince Charles at a private fundraising dinner, in October 2011, almost six months after her wedding day.
Meghan, who married on May 19, is a much more experienced performer on the world stage than Kate was at this point in her marriage.
Until now the newest royal has always stepped out on official engagements with her husband or another member of the Royal Family – including the Queen – by her side.
But her training as an actress, not to mention her sense of style and confidence, has already earned her plaudits.
The smiling Duchess turned to the crowds, flashing a smile and a wave to the well-wishers who had gathered in anticipation of her arriva
Meghan also relied on an old favourite when it came to her shoes, rewearing a pair of Aquazzura stilettos that she has relied on for several engagements
The Duchess of Sussex was welcomed at the Royal Academy of Arts event by Lord-Lieutenant of Greater London Sir Kenneth Olisa
Tonight will see Meghan introduced to ‘Oceania’ – the first ever major survey of Oceanic art to be held in the United Kingdom.
The exhibition will celebrate the art of Melanesia, Micronesia and Polynesia, encompassing the vast Pacific region including New Guinea, Easter Island, Hawaii and New Zealand.
‘Oceania’ will bring together around 200 works from public collections worldwide, spanning over 500 years.
The exhibit also marks the 250th anniversary of the Royal Academy, which was founded in 1768 – the same year Captain James Cook set out on his first Endeavour expedition.
The Duchess of Cambridge carried out her first solo engagement, standing in for the Prince of Wales at a private fundraising dinner at Clarence House in London, in October 2011, almost six months after her wedding day
Tonight will see Meghan introduced to ‘Oceania’ – the first ever major survey of Oceanic art to be held in the United Kingdom
The £490 Aquazzura stilettos have proven to be a firm favourite for Meghan who was seen wearing them in Dublin in July (left) and at the Queen’s Young Leaders Awards Ceremony in June (right)
The exhibition will be organised around three main themes. Voyaging will look at life on the water as revealed through the stories of indigenous navigation. Place-making will explore the settlement of communities and Encounter will focus on trade and exchange in Pacific cultures.
During the visit, The Duchess will receive a tour of ‘Oceania’, spending time viewing exhibits from different regions including New Zealand, Fiji, the Kingdom of Tonga and Australia, which she and The Duke of Sussex will visit in October.
Her Royal Highness will also meet the exhibition’s curators and artists as well as descendants linked to the works displayed and view a short performance of Ngāti Rānana, a Māori cultural group.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s programme during their official visit to Australia, Fiji, the Kingdom of Tonga, and New Zealand next month will focus on youth leadership, environmental and conservation efforts.
‘Oceania’ will run at the Royal Academy of Arts from 29th September – 10th December 2018.