Fashion expert reveals the hidden meaning behind Meghan Markle’s ‘clever’ outfits – including THAT lotus print dress

In November 2017, despite the gloomy weather, Meghan Markle radiated happiness as she arrived arm-in-arm with Prince Harry at Kensington Palace’s Sunken Garden to announce their engagement. 

The bride-to-be exuded effortless style, wearing a winter white wool wrap coat from Canadian brand Line The Label.

The garment, which sold out within minutes of her appearance, was swiftly relaunched and renamed ‘Meghan’ in her honour.

The duchess has since frequently chosen clothing with symbolic names or hidden meanings. 

A prime example is the Giorgio Armani lotus print dress, signifying enlightenment, self-regeneration and rebirth, worn for her famous interview with Oprah Winfrey.

Kate Jones, stylist at House of Colour, tells MailOnline: ‘The language of Meghan’s clothes in this instance is enormous. She is saying to the world that she has overcome adversity and will remain true to herself, unmarked by her experiences.’

Here, we take a closer look at some of Meghan’s most memorable and meaningful wardrobe choices.

Line The Label ‘Meghan’ coat

When Harry and Meghan announced their engagement in November 2017, the bride-to-be wore a white double-faced wool wrap coat by Canadian brand, Line The Label. 

Based in Toronto, where Meghan lived while filming Suits, the coat was originally named ‘Mara’.

After Meghan’s surprise appearance, the brand reissued the design in March 2018, renaming it ‘Meghan’ and pricing it at £805. 

When Prince Harry and Meghan announced their engagement in November 2017, Meghan wore a white double-faced wool wrap coat by Canadian brand Line the Label

P.A.R.O.S.H. ‘Megan’ dress

Underneath her engagement coat, Meghan wore a bottle green dress by Italian label P.A.R.O.S.H.

Crafted from double-stretch wool crepe with a bow at the waist, the £489 dress sold out in under an hour. The brand later reissued it, renaming it ‘Megan’ – either an awkward spelling error or slightly changed to give a nod to the duchess but keep it their own.

During her engagement interview with the BBC, Meghan wore a bottle green dress by Italian label P.A.R.O.S.H.

Heidi Merrick ‘Windsor’ dress

During her recent trip to Nigeria, Meghan opted for the ‘Windsor’ dress by Californian designer Heidi Merrick. 

The backless peach maxi gown, thought to have been released in 2018 – the year Meghan married Harry – shares its name with her in-laws’ royal title, The House of Windsor. 

Meghan wore the dress while visiting a school supported by the Archewell Foundation.

Kate Jones, stylist at House of Colour says: ‘The subtle, warm hue of Meghan’s dress ensures she is seen as soft, gentle and caring. She is really speaking to the country of her ancestors by appearing very approachable and natural in this dress.

‘The name “Windsor” is obviously a huge gesture to the British Royal Family as they are known as the House of Windsor, so she could be reminding us all that she is now a member of the family.’

During her recent trip to Nigeria, Meghan opted for the ‘Windsor’ dress by Californian designer Heidi Merrick

Misha Nonoo ‘The Husband’ shirt

For her first public appearance with Harry in 2017, Meghan famously wore Misha Nonoo’s oversized white button-down called ‘The Husband’ shirt. 

Crafted from crisp cotton poplin with pleated detailing on the back, the £175 shirt quickly became one of the brand’s bestsellers.

It has since been released in multiple colours, fabrics and sizes, including a maternity version. 

Kate says: ‘This caused a huge stir for Meghan’s first public appearance with Prince Harry. In a subtle way, perhaps she was telling the world that they had discussed marriage and he would soon be hers.

‘It was a very clever choice.’ 

For her first public appearance with Harry in 2017, Meghan famously wore Misha Nonoo’s oversized white button-down called ‘The Husband’ shirt

Dôen ‘Kensington’ coat

Meghan wrapped up in the ‘Kensington’ coat by LA-based brand Dôen during a visit to a First Nations centre in Canada in February 2024.

Priced at £475, the coat featured an elegant A-line silhouette, adorned with an Italian velvet collar and brass buttons.

Though the name probably refers to Kensington in California, royal fans couldn’t help but associate it with Kensington Palace, where Meghan and Harry lived while dating.

Kate says: ‘There is obviously a royal theme in the name, not only offering a nod to her former home in the grounds of Kensington Palace but also an area in California where she has strong ties.

‘Meghan is once again supporting her native California by wearing Dôen, which is a female-led brand. This considered choice shows us she is a proud American woman.’

The ‘Kensington’ coat by LA-based brand Dôen, which Meghan wore on a visit to Canada

Karen Gee ‘Blessed’ dress 

On the first day of her tour of Australia with Harry, Meghan wore a sleek ivory dress by local designer Karen Gee. 

Named ‘Blessed,’ the £973 dress made headlines as Meghan had just announced her first pregnancy. 

Her appearance caused the designer’s website to crash for the first time in history. 

Kate says: ‘This dress is very appropriate for her royal tour and shows us she is adhering to the rules as a Duchess by not trying to make a statement. 

‘Meghan obviously feels “blessed” to be pregnant and is letting us know that – in a subtle way.’

On the first day of her tour of Australia with Harry, Meghan wore a sleek ivory dress by local designer Karen Gee. Named ‘Blessed,’ the £973 dress made headlines as Meghan had just announced her pregnancy

Giorgio Armani lotus print dress

For her groundbreaking interview with Oprah Winfrey, Meghan chose a £3,300 Giorgio Armani silk georgette dress featuring a lotus flower motif, symbolising enlightenment, self-regeneration and rebirth. 

The dress, from the spring/summer 2022 collection, was later named the Fashion Museum Bath’s Dress of the Year and was celebrated for its cultural significance as a maternity design. 

These choices not only reflect Meghan’s refined taste but also her intentional use of fashion to convey deeper meanings. 

Kate explains: ‘The symbolism of this flower is huge as Meghan had been struggling with [online] trolling and she felt judgement from the Royal Family. She is saying to the world that she has overcome adversity and will remain true to herself.

‘I imagine Meghan thought extremely hard about what to wear for this interview as she knew she would be seen around the world.’ 

For her groundbreaking interview with Oprah Winfrey, Meghan chose a £3,300 Giorgio Armani silk georgette dress featuring a lotus flower motif, symbolising enlightenment, self-regeneration and rebirth