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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
World
Jennifer Newton & Paige Freshwater

Meghan Markle's not-so-subtle romantic message to Prince Harry on first official outing

The royal family are known for making subtle hints through their clothing and accessories - and it seems Meghan Markle adopted this practice when making her first-ever appearance with Prince Harry. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex made their first official appearance together at the Invictus Games in Toronto a year before taking each others hand in marriage.

But it has been rumoured Meghan might have been signalling what was to come through her very intriguing outfit choice. She teamed a pair of ripped blue jeans and ballet pumps with a crisp white shirt, designed by her friend Misha Nonoo, which so happened to be called the 'husband' shirt.

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle at the Invictus Games in Canada in 2017 (Getty Images for the Invictus Games Foundation)

At the time, the royal couple weren't engaged and Meghan was tied up filming her TV show Suits in the Canadian city.

The Daily Mail even noted it was "perhaps a subtle indication by Meghan that she won’t be a single lady for much longer".

During their appearance, the happy couple held hands as they walked towards the court and smiled and exchanged small talk with each other.

The pair were said to be delighted with their first public appearance, which made headlines across the world.

A royal source said at the time: "It was a calm, fun atmosphere for the competitors and their families which was the most important thing."

Several months later, Harry and Meghan announced their engagement to the world before marrying at St George's Chapel in Windsor in May 2018.

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle arrive for the final royal engagement together (WireImage)

Since then, they moved to America after announcing they were quitting the royal family and went on to welcome their son Archie on May 6, 2019, followed by their daughter Lilibet on June 4, 2021.

But this isn't the only time Meghan is thought to have sent a subtle message through her clothing, as royal experts claim she made a statement during her final outing as a working royal.

At the Commonwealth Day service in 2020, Meghan memorably wore a vibrant green Emilia Wickstead cape dress that started blowing in the wind as she left Westminster Abbey.

According to Christine Ross, the editor of the blog Meghan's Mirror, Meghan used the dress to send a secret but powerful message.

She believes that it was a clear signal to the designer and to the people who claimed the two women had a "complicated" relationship.

Speaking previously on the Mirror's royal podcast Pod Save the Queen, she said: "One of the most iconic looks is going to be her green Emilia Wickstead cape dress.

"That cape blowing in the wind as she walked into the church and then walked out of the church, which was such an emotional moment for so many people as it was their last formal engagement as royals."

She then went on to explain the "complicated story" between Meghan and Wickstead, which came from an interview the designer did with a magazine.

Christine says that Wickstead described Meghan's wedding dress as "simple", and taken out of context in other reports left many believing she was criticising the dress.

She said: "It was a pull quote from a larger interview, she really didn't say anything negative.

"People thought Emilia Wickstead had really wronged Meghan, and it turned out that Emilia Wickstead hadn't wrong Meghan, it was a pull quote.

"Maybe a month or so later Meghan actually wore a custom Emilia Wickstead dress, and that situation shows the power of Meghan's fashion choices.

"She was able to say with this fashion choice, Emilia Wickstead and I are great. We're on great terms, that whole thing was a huge misunderstanding and look at the lovely dress she designed for me."

Do you have a story to share? Email paige.freshwater@reachplc.com.

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