Duchess Meghan participated in the grand birthday parade for the Queen in London only twice. These appearances are of great significance, especially since she and Harry are reportedly not invited again this year. GALA takes a look back.
On June 15, 2024, the annual “Trooping the Colour” parade in London will be held for the second time in honor of King Charles, 75. Many things will be different this year; Charles, despite his cancer diagnosis, will be present but will ride in a carriage with Queen Camilla, 76, instead of riding to the palace on horseback.
What remains unchanged this year: Prince Harry, 39, and his wife Meghan, 42, are again reportedly not invited. Although the couple was last in London for “Trooping the Colour” in 2022, they did not appear with the rest of the family on the Buckingham Palace balcony, making their parade appearances in 2018 and 2019 all the more significant.
Trooping the Colour: Meghan’s Balcony Debut in Baby Pink
Just a few weeks after their fairy-tale wedding in Windsor on May 19, 2018, Prince Harry and Duchess Meghan appeared at “Trooping the Colour” in London. It was one of the couple’s first official engagements since the wedding, and all eyes were naturally on Meghan for her balcony debut.
The Duchess of Sussex wore an elegant two-piece ensemble by Carolina Herrera in baby pink. The custom-made outfit, with its prominent off-the-shoulder neckline, bore a slight resemblance to Meghan’s wedding dress. The asymmetrical button placket and draped neckline made her look a true eye-catcher in all the right places – with only the upper half visible from the carriage. She paired it with a matching fascinator by milliner Philip Treacy, and even her manicure was perfectly coordinated.
Too Revealing for an Official Event? No!
A perfect first appearance at “Trooping the Colour,” if not for the bare shoulders that caused a stir. However, critical voices were quickly silenced: “Nothing about her look is offensive. […] There are no rules, except that you should be dressed appropriately for the occasion, and that was Meghan. She looked great,” explained royal expert Victoria Arbiter shortly after the appearance to “Town & Country Magazine.”
2019: Second “Trooping the Colour” Appearance in Givenchy
Meghan’s second and so far last participation in the “Trooping the Colour” parade in June 2019 was also special: Meghan interrupted her maternity leave just a few weeks after the birth of son Archie to attend the parade in a dark Givenchy outfit. The dark blue dress with a short cape was designed by Clare Waight Keller, the former creative director of Givenchy.
She also designed Meghan’s iconic wedding dress. Later on the balcony, the white short sleeves became visible. Meghan wore tight gloves made of shiny fabric. The matching hat was by Noel Stewart. Her hair was styled in a tight bun at the nape of her neck, unlike the previous year when it was worn loose and in soft waves.
Meghan Showed Off Gift from Prince Harry for the First Time
Keen-eyed fans immediately noticed the third, stone-studded ring Meghan wore publicly for the first time. A gift from husband Harry for their first wedding anniversary. The piece of jewelry is by Hollywood favorite Lorraine Schwartz and is set with three meaningful stones, the birthstones of Meghan, Harry, and Archie.
