Meghan Markle continues to wear neutral clothing four years on from the Sussex’s ‘freedom flight’ – despite claiming she had to ‘tone down’ her wardrobe in the royal family

Since leaving the Royal Family and relocating to a $15 million mansion in sunny California, Meghan Markle has demonstrated a boundless sense of style. 

She and Prince Harry, along with their son Archie, two dogs, and Meghan’s mother Doria, embarked on a ‘freedom flight’ four years ago, on March 14, 2020.

Released from the constraints of strict rules, the American actress not only indulges in a glamorous lifestyle, but also dons a variety of designer labels and dazzling jewellery, often carrying hidden meanings.

However, while claiming that she was not allowed to wear colour as a working member of the Royal Family, Meghan, 42, has continued to opt for a predominantly neutral wardrobe, despite having no imposed restrictions.

Instead, she has ventured into leg-baring shorts and revealing dresses, choices that may be deemed inappropriate for traditional royal engagements.

Meghan, The Duchess of Sussex walks onstage during the South by Southwest Conference on March 8, 2024, in Austin, Texas

In the 2022 Netflix series Harry & Meghan, the Duchess claimed she was not allowed to wear colour as a working member of the Royal Family 

‘Most of the time I was in the UK, I rarely wore colour,’ the Duchess said in the 2022 Netflix series, Harry and Meghan.

‘To my understanding, you can’t ever wear the same colour as Her Majesty if there’s a group event, but then you also shouldn’t be wearing the same colour as one of the other more senior members of the family.’

She continued: ‘I wore a lot of muted tones but it was also so I could just blend in.

‘There was no version of me [that was] joining this family and trying not to do everything I could to fit in. I don’t want to embarrass the family.’

To respect this rumoured royal protocol, Meghan began dressing, almost exclusively, in shades of camel, beige and white.

Her sartorial excellence was particularly noticeable at an evening reception held at the British Ambassador’s residence in Rabat, Morocco, in February 2019.

Meghan made a welcome entrance in a dramatic cape dress by Dior, teamed with gold lamé lambskin heels and a matching satin clutch, also by the French luxury house. 

The Duchess showcased another muted look for her first appearance following the announcement that she and Prince Harry, now 39, were expecting a baby.

Arriving at Sydney Opera House on October 16, 2018, Meghan was immaculately clad in a Martin Grant trench coat and a pencil dress by Australian designer Karen Gee.

Although muted in colour, the ensemble proved effortlessly flattering for the royal, who was experiencing the early stages of pregnancy. 

Over subsequent years, she continued to favour a range of sheath dresses and neutral shades, opting for labels such as Carolina Herrera, Oscar de la Renta and Victoria Beckham.

Meghan, Duchess of Sussex during the Your Commonwealth Youth Challenge reception at Marlborough House Your Commonwealth Youth Challenge reception in London on July 5, 2018

Meghan Markle opted for neutral outfits as a working member of the Royal Family in 2018 (left) and at the 2023 Invictus Games (right) 

Meghan greets the crowd outside the Town Hall in Birkenhead on January 14, 2019

Meghan showcased two daring red looks in 2020 (left) and 2021 (right)

Nevertheless, the royal occasionally incorporated vibrant hues into her wardrobe, as shown in 2018 at Marlborough House in London. On this occasion, she donned a canary yellow dress designed by Brandon Maxwell. 

Additionally, Meghan made an eye-catching statement in a violet dress from Babaton by Aritizia, layered underneath a scarlet wool coat by Canadian brand Sentaler, in Birkenhead, 2019.

She added a Gabriela Hearst leather bowling bag and vertiginous red stilettos by Stuart Weitzman, while her raven locks were styled in a messy chignon.

The mother-of-two showcased another vibrant red outfit in February 2019 as she arrived in Casablanca, Morocco.

Her striking caped coat, custom-made by Valentino, was inspired by a white version from the label’s spring 2023 Couture collection. 

Meghan, who is close friends with Victoria Beckham, has sported a number of designs by the former Spice Girl since joining the Royal Family.

Perhaps her most notable choice was a turquoise T-shirt dress in 2020, when she and Harry were snapped in the rain following their appearance at the annual Endeavour Fund in London.

Inspired by the simplicity of a T-shirt, this number offered a new approach to one of the brand’s signature silhouettes, aimed to flatter and elongate the figure. 

Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex attend The Endeavour Fund Awards at Mansion House on March 5, 2020 in London

The Duchess showcased muted outfits during the 2023 Invictus Games in Dasseldorf, Germany

Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex during the closing ceremony of the Invictus Games on September 16, 2023

Despite typically leaning towards a natural colour palette since moving to California, Meghan has ventured into shorts and revealing dresses, choices that would be considered inappropriate for traditional royal engagements.

This was demonstrated during last year’s Invictus Games in Dusseldorf, Germany, where Meghan flashed her pins in white Staud shorts, paired with a J.Crew sweater blazer and her trusty Chanel ballerina flats. 

Two days later, she selected another monochrome ensemble, comprising a short beige Zara playsuit, Celine blazer and Cesta Collective bag.

At the Invictus Games closing ceremony, the Duchess opted for a stunning emerald lace dress by Cult Gaia, a choice she may not have been allowed to wear while serving as a working member of the Royal Family.

The breathtaking mid-length style incorporated a strapless neckline and laser-cut detailing, revealing glimpses of skin – a fabulously glamorous choice for Meghan.

Earlier in the year, the Duchess had taken a bolder step, wearing a sultry bandeau dress to the 2023 Ms. Foundation Women of Vision awards at the Ziegfeld Theatre in New York.

The figure-hugging frock by Johanna Ortiz boasted a metallic gold jacquard effect and cut-out at the bust, as well as a daring front split.

Interestingly, Meghan removed the straps from the original design in order to accentuate the sweetheart neckline and show off her décolletage.

Meghan, Duchess of Sussex during the Invictus Games on September 06, 2022

Prince Harry and Meghan attend the Ms. Foundation Women of Vision Awards: Celebrating Generations of Progress & Power at Ziegfeld Ballroom on May 16, 2023 in New York City

Meghan, Duchess of Sussex attends the One Young World Summit in Manchester on September 5, 2022 

Queen Elizabeth II and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex open the new Mersey Gateway Bridge on June 14, 2018 in Widnes, Cheshire

She expertly styled it with Tom Ford sandals, a Carolina Herrera clutch and lashings of ornate jewellery from her favourite brands.

In fact, Meghan is rarely seen without her enviable wrist stack, comprising Princess Diana’s diamond tennis bracelet and Cartier Tank Française watch, which she has worn since 2020, a Cartier love bracelet and Jen Meyer diamond tennis bracelet.

While she frequently adds diamond rings by Lorraine Schwartz, Meghan recently sported an evil eye bracelet from the American designer. 

The mother-of-two is renowned for her love of delicate jewellery, often steeped in symbolic meaning. 

For an event in Manchester, in 2022, she selected a pair of Oera knot earrings and matching ring by Miami-based brand, Tabayer. 

The Oera collection is inspired by Inanna, the ancient Mesopotamian goddess of love, war and fertility. Inanna’s ideogram was a twisted knot of reeds, representing the doorpost of a storehouse, a common symbol of fertility.

An online description of the brand details how it was ‘created for independent women who embrace their vulnerability and find their power in inner resources’.

Meghan at the Variety Power of Women Los Angeles presented by Lifetime at Mother Wolf on November 16, 2023 in Los Angeles, California

Meghan speaks onstage during the SXSW 2024 Conference and Festivals at Austin Convention Center on March 8, 2024 in Austin, Texas

Meghan wore demure dresses in 2019 (left) and ventured out to off-shoulder designs after leaving the Royal Family (right, pictured in 2022) 

It is worth noting that the Duchess’s evening looks appeared more understated during her time as a working royal.

For example, at the 2019 Sentebale Fundraiser, she wore a navy sequinned gown by Roland Mouret, featuring a bateaux neckline, three-quarter length sleeves and demure, floor-length silhouette.

Meghan, who was five months pregnant with Archie at the time, kept her accessories to a minimum, opting for Stuart Weitzman black sandals and a Givenchy satin clutch.

Perhaps the most significant change has been in the Duchess’s fabric garments and silhouettes, rather than colour choices, as she continues prefer muted tones yet experiments more with shape.

This was evident in Meghan’s outfit at the recent Variety Power of Women Los Angeles in November 2023.

The royal captivated onlookers as posed for photographs in a beige dress by Proenza Schouler, featuring an asymmetric off-shoulder neckline and thigh-high side slits. 

Meghan favoured a similar aesthetic at the 2022 Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights Ripple of Hope Gala, held at the Hilton in New York City. 

Radiating elegance in a custom-made white dress by Louis Vuitton, complemented by black accessories, Meghan embraced a shoulder-baring design with long sleeves and a wrap front, skillfully revealing just the right amount of flesh.

Meghan is seen out and about in California on August 11, 2023

Meghan Markle wraps up on the second day of the One Year to Go Event at Mountain Square in Whistler, Canada on February 15, 2024

Meghan Markle is all smiles leaving a business dinner with the Executive Producer of Oprah’s Harpo Productions company, Terry Wood, on February 24, 2024

Beyond red carpet appearances and public speeches, Meghan undoubtedly enjoys adopting a more casual approach for informal events.

Attending a relaxed business dinner in February with Terry Wood, executive producer of Oprah Winfrey’s Harpo Productions company, she wore a grey La Ligne jumper, dark skinny jeans from Anine Bing and silver Chanel ballet flats. 

Meghan completed her monochrome ensemble with a navy wool coat, also by Anine Bing, and a Goyard grey tote.

Last month, the Duchess demonstrated her laid-back style during a trip to Canada with Prince Harry.

The Duchess wrapped up against the chill in a lavish Hermes quilted jacket, teamed with her favourite jeans from La Ligne, Kamik boots and Blenders sunglasses.

Perhaps her newfound freedom is reflected in the laid-back style and daring dresses that make up her wardrobe.