For Christmas Day service at Sandringham, Meghan Markle played it safe in a camel coat and chestnut-brown felt hat, but it turns out the dress underneath was a rather more daring choice.
Eagle-eyed royal watchers would have caught just a fleeting glimpse of red velvet as Meghan, 36, walked to church, and now Canadian retailer Club Monaco has confirmed the former Suits star was wearing its $298 (£220) Tay dress for the occasion.
The rich jewel-toned burgundy wrap dress with tiered, ruffled sleeves features ends just below the knee, but features a plunging neckline – a rather daring choice for Christmas lunch with the royals.
Club Monaco announced Meghan had worn the dress via an Instagram post, saying they had confirmed it with her stylist Jessica Mulroney and a handful are still available to buy online in smaller sizes.
Meghan Markle’s burgundy dress was just visible under her camel coat as she walked to church with the royals at Sandringham on Christmas Day
The Tay wrap dress, which features a very plunging neckline, is from Canadian retailer Club Monaco
The brand said Meghan’s stylist had confirmed she was wearing a Club Monaco dress
Meghan teamed the dress with a wide collar camel wrap coat, made by Canadian luxury brand Sentaler, which tapered in around the waist and flared out at the hem, for the St Mary Magdalene Church Christmas service.
She paired the ensemble with coordinating £630 Stuart Weitzman’s Hiline high-heeled suede boots and completed her look with a £900 round handbag in brown leather and caramel suede with a gold coloured handle made by Chloe.
A pair of Maison Birk diamond earrings added a touch of sparkle.
Apart from a slight wobble when she curtsied to the Queen after the service, her first public appearance with members of the royal family appeared to go without a hitch.
Having spent years living in Toronto while filming Suits, Meghan is a keen supporter of the Canadian fashion industry
Earlier this week, Prince Harry told the Today programme that her first royal family Christmas had been a resounding success.
When the fifth in line to the throne was quizzed by presenter Sarah Montague at the end of guest editing the three-hour show he replied: ‘It was fantastic, she really enjoyed it.’
Speaking about his fiancee, he said: ‘The family loved having her there.
‘There’s always that family part of Christmas (where) there’s always that work element there as well, and I think together we had an amazing time.
The former Suits star appeared to experience a slight wobble as she curtsied to the Queen following the church service
Meghan covered her dress with a camel wrap coat and carried a Chloe handbag
‘We had great fun staying with my brother and sister-in-law and running round with the kids. ‘Christmas was fantastic.’
The presenter asked the prince if there were any family traditions that had to be explained to Ms Markle and he replied: ‘Oh plenty, I think we’ve got one of the biggest families that I know of, and every family is complex as well.
‘No look, she’s done an absolutely amazing job. She’s getting in there and it’s the family I suppose that she’s never had.’