Meghan Markle STUNS in Oscar de la Renta ballgown for first night back in Sydney

Meghan Markle, 37, has landed back in Sydney for the eleventh day of her and Prince Harry’s royal tour.

The couple spent the last few days in Fiji and Tonga, touring local cities, colleges, markets and meeting and greeting well-wishers.

After touching back down in Sydney this afternoon, Meghan and Harry whizzed off to a glamorous black-tie dinner.

For the dinner, the pregnant Duchess wore a stunning Oscar de la Renta ball gown.

The dress was black and off-white, featuring delicate bird embroidering on the bodice and skirt, made by Sarah Esmoingt, a French embellishment designer established in New York.

Off-white netting material formed the base of the dress, with the black embroidery built on top of the material, giving it a romantic and whimsical feel.

Almost appearing to be strapless, the stunning dress had a sheer top with nude material underneath and birds placed around Meghan’s décolletage.

It was cinched in at the waist, hiding the Duchess’ growing baby bump.

The gown is described as a white tulle gown with black bonded looped ribbon tweed laser-cut birds.

She finished off the look with her favourite pair of black, Aquazzura “Deneuve” Bow Pointy Toe Pumps, which retail for $750 (£586). 

After two-day sporting the same chic, slicked-back ponytail, Meghan opted for loose, Hollywood-style curls.

Highlighting her natural beauty, the Duchess wore a shimmering pink highlighter on her cheeks and no lipstick.

Just like her makeup from earlier in the day, she wore a subtle dark smokey eye.

Meghan and Harry were attending the Australian Geographic Society Awards in Sydney.

Held at the luxurious Shangri-La hotel, the awards recognised excellence in adventure, science and conservation.

During the evening, Meghan presented awards, along with Harry, to recipients.

It was a quick change for the Duchess, who only touched down in Sydney a matter of hours ago, after a long day in Tonga.

She and Harry had been visiting Tupou College, where Meghan wore a stunning blue shirt dress.

Coming to below her knees, the elegant dress featured button detailing and long sleeves, which the Duchess rolled up.

Designed by Veronica Beard, Meghan wore the $595 (£464) “Cary Dress” before, which is unsurprisingly now almost sold out online.

Leaving a few top buttons open, she showed off a delicate gold and precious stone necklace, reported to be the Pippa Small aquamarine three stone necklace.

Who is Meghan Markle? Quick profile

Meghan Markle was born Rachel Meghan Markle, on August 4, 1981 to parents Doria Ragland and father Thomas Markle.

Her father was previously married to Roslyn Loveless and Meghan has two elder half sibling – sister Samantha Markle and brother Thomas Markle Junior.

Actress

Meghan’s first television appearance in the USA was in an episode of the medical drama General Hospital in 2002.

She later moved on to roles in CSI, Without a Trace and Castle along with bit parts in Hollywood films including Get Him to the Greek, Remember Me and Horrible Bosses.

Meghan was also a “briefcase girl” on Deal or No Deal – but her most famous role was as Rachel Zane in legal drama Suits, which launched in 2011.

She was written out in the finale of the seventh series when her character got married, which aired in April 2018 – just before she got married herself.

Charity and humanitarian work

Meghan Markle’s career in television has gone hand-in-hand with her support for causes close to her heart.

She wrote about the stigma around menstrual health in an article for Time magazine and was a Global Ambassador for World Vision Canada – with whom she travelled to Rwanda for the charity’s Clean Water Campaign.

And her commitment to gender equality has seen her work with the United Nations – receiving a standing ovation in 2015 for her speech to mark International Women’s Day.

Relationships

In September 2011, she wed film producer Trevor Engelson, who she began dating in 2004.

But the pair divorced two years later in August 2013, citing irreconcilable difference.

She was in a relationship with celebrity chef Cory Vitiello for almost two years, before they broke it off in 2016 but the two remain good friends.

And in June 2016, she met Prince Harry on a blind date set up by a mutual friend.

Their relationship began in October that year and just over one year later, on November 27, 2017, the pair announced their engagement.

They married on May 19, 2018 at St George’s Chapel in Windsor Castle.

Meghan’s heritage

Some have claimed Meghan Markle is the first mixed-race member of the Royal Family.

Historians are still arguing about Queen Charlotte, the wife of King George III.

But Meghan will be the first royal to openly embrace a mixed-race heritage.

She has written about the difficulties of being a biracial actress in Hollywood as she claims she is not black enough for some roles and not white enough for others.