Meghan Markle news: Duchess ‘happier than ever’ as she celebrates birthday in £118 dress
Meghan Markle was spotted smiling and laughing with Prince Harry as the royal couple had a lavish dinner to celebrate the Duchess’ 42nd birthday.
Both the Duke and Duchess of Sussex were spotted near their home in Montecito, California at the Tre Lune, a trendy Italian restaurant.
It is a known hotspot for Hollywood celebrities, such as Ellen DeGeneres and Kourtney Kardashian, but musician Tavis Barker has also seen dining the same evening Meghan and Harry made their appearance.
Meghan, who turns 42 today, was seen looking incredible in a black-and-white strapless dress worth £188 ($239) by the fashion label Posse.
The dress, which has already sold out on the company website, is described as being both “elegant and timeless” and has been designed to highlight the wearer’s figure.
READ MORE: Meghan Markle ‘upgraded’ her style as a Duchess but is a ‘free spirit’ in the US
In photographs both Harry and Meghan were seen leaving the restaurant and appeared to be joking with each other as they stepped into their waiting car.
Royal fans have quickly taken to social media to compliment Meghan’s outfit as well as wish her a happy birthday.
One user on Twitter said: “Oh my God, that dress looks stunning! Glad Meghan is looking happier than ever.”
Another person said: “She is looking so well these days, hope they’re having a lovely time.”
A third commentator wrote: “42-year-old mother of two in a smokin’ hot horizontal strip dress! She looks gorgeous!”
Meghan paired her chic outfit with black sandals and a Cult Gaia clutch bag which appears to be a favourite accessory of the Duchess as she has been spotted wearing it before. This chestnut beaded bag looks very bohemian and is worth £330 ($428).
The Duchess was also seen wearing some simple jewellery, as she wore some chunky golden earrings, and some bracelets on one wrist, including a golden Jennifer Meyer bracelet worth £3,740 ($4,750) and a Cartier Love bracelet worth £5, 430 ($6,900)
However, the most sparkling accessory the Duchess wore for her birthday dinner was her golden Cartier Tank Française watch which once belonged to Princess Diana. Diana was given the watch by her father and was inherited by Harry, but the £17,800 ($26,000) watch is clearly sentimental to Meghan as she is often spotted wearing it for glamorous occasions.
Miranda Holder, a celebrity stylist has said the Duchess’ birthday outfit shows that Meghan wishes to show the world that she is “going nowhere” amongst rumours the royal couple may be struggling to establish themselves in Hollywood.
The fashion expert explained: “Meghan appeared relaxed and radiant as she stepped out in Montecito with Harry this week. Her dress, a bandeau, bandage style by brand Posse, was a striking, body-conscious design, featuring wide black and white horizontal stripes.
“The garment hugged every curve of the Duchess, showing she was feeling body-confident and enjoying being a busy young Mum.”
Miranda added: “This is not the type of dress you would wear if you wanted to fade into the background. The bold pattern literally made it impossible to miss. This was absolutely a choice.
“Meghan is going nowhere and she wants to communicate this. Her relaxed accessories consisting of flat strappy sandals, minimal jewellery and a textured Cult Gaia bag prevent the look from feeling too ‘try hard’, and also indicate that despite the controversial rumours that are circulating she is comfortable and content.”
