Meghan Markle pays tribute to Canada with subtle style choice at Commonwealth Day event

Meghan Markle was announced as the Vice President of the Queen’s Commonwealth Trust (QCT) on Friday. Today, the Duchess of Sussex, 37, arrived with Prince Harry, who is the President of QCT, for a youth event. The event will showcase and celebrate the diverse community of young Canadians living in London and the UK. The former Suits actor made a huge nod at the cause by wearing a green coat by Canadian designer Erdem.

The dark green garment featured black appliqué, known as Doria beaded rose embroidery, an Erdem representative told Express.co.uk.

It’s currently unclear how much the coat costs, however a similar look was spotted on the Erdem Fall 2019 catwalk.

Meghan later unbuttoned the coat, unveiling a dress in the same green fabric.

She teamed it with a black Givenchy clutch bag.

The item, which Meghan has carried in the past, has a price tag of £1530.

The Duchess also wore a pair of black high heel shoes, which had a pointed toe.

Her heels are by AQUAZZURA, and sell for £485.

She had swept her hair back into a sleek low bun, letting one wisp of hair fall beside her face.

Meanwhile, Prince Harry looked equally smart at the event, wearing a blue suit and pale pink tie.

The two are currently awaiting the arrival of their first child together, with Meghan being due in spring.

On Friday, Kensington Palace tweeted: “On #InternationalWomensDay The Duchess of Sussex has become Vice-President of The Queen’s Commonwealth Trust.

“The @QueensComTrust, of which The Queen is Patron and The Duke of Sussex is President, exists to champion, fund and connect young leaders around the world #TeamQCT.”

Elsewhere on International Women’s Day on Friday, Meghan appeared on a panel discussion convened by the Queen’s Commonwealth Trust at King’s College, in order to mark the day.

She wore a Azzura Swirl Printed Shift Dress for the event.

The black and white dress had a high roll neck, and retails for £185.

The Duchess teamed it with her Alexander McQueen Grain de Poudre Wool Blazer, which costs £1,245.

Finishing off the look, she wore her Manolo Blahnik BB Pump in Black Suede – costing £504.66.

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.