This Year, Meghan Markle Ditched Royal Protocol And Found Her Style

2021 was the first full year the Duke and Duchess of Sussex spent as private citizens. Having made their final public appearance as working royals at the Commonwealth Day service in March of 2020, the couple embarked on the new chapter of their lives. The months since have seen Meghan and Harry step into new roles as entrepreneurs and media producers, but the changes have been about more than business. Now free to express themselves in ways that were never possible while they were full-time members of the royal family, they’ve been able to show the world previously hidden sides of themselves. This newfound freedom has manifested in everything from the Duke voicing political opinions and participating in climate change documentaries to Meghan launching an initiative to support working women and embracing bold style choices that speak to her personality.

A fan of elegant, minimalist fashion since her days as an actress, some elements of Markle’s wardrobe have remained consistent. The Duchess will always love a monochromatic moment, delicate jewelry, and statement outerwear. Still, she now has room to experiment, and that’s made her 2021 fashions interesting. While pregnant with daughter Lilibet, she opted for novelty prints and soft colors. Notably, she appeared on Spotify’s Stream On event in February wearing a peplum hem sleeveless dress from Oscar de la Renta detailed with a juicy citrus print. One of the many celebrities encouraging vaccinations during the VaxLive event in May, she delivered vital information while wearing a peppy pink and floral shirtdress from Carolina Herrera.

Post-pregnancy, Markle took things a step further, traveling to New York City with Harry in September for their first round of solo public engagements. The outfits she packed were reminiscent of the stealth wealth luxury favored by style-conscious CEOs and world leaders. Having ditched gilded royal finery, Markle rebranded with crimson Loro Piana separates and sleek coats from Max Mara. Of course, her fashion evolution allowed for moments of playfulness, like the Valentino shift dress she wore to grace the stage at the Global Citizen Live concert in Central Park. Short and sweet with capped sleeves and 3D printed detailing along its collar and hems, it called to mind the mod minis of André Courrèges and Mary Quant.

For actors and musicians, playing around with offbeat fashion is par for the course, but during her years as a working royal, Meghan kept things subdued. Though she wore her fascinators and tea-length dresses expertly, seeing her switch gears and embrace fresh ideas has been fun to watch. Fittingly, her defining moment of 2021 came when she wore a young designer who is breathing new life into a heritage house. To attend the Intrepid Museum annual Salute to Freedom Gala in November, Markle once again looked to Herrera’s Wes Gordon, who created a dazzling red gown for the occasion. With its plunging neckline, revealing slit, and attention-grabbings crimson hue, the dress was a showstopper, one fit for an all-American Duchess who’s bravely charting her own course.