In January 2020, a significant announcement from Meghan Markle and Prince Harry shook the foundation of the British royal family. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex publicly declared their decision to step back from their roles as senior royals. This pivotal choice led to their final official appearances in the United Kingdom during the first half of March 2020.

Final Engagements and Outfits

The couple embarked on a series of memorable engagements, starting with the Endeavour Fund Awards on March 5, 2020, followed by the Mountbatten Festival of Music on March 7, and culminating in the annual Commonwealth Day service on March 9. During these events, Meghan Markle made bold fashion choices, donning a blue dress designed by Victoria Beckham, a red outfit by Safiyaa, and a green dress by Emilia Wickstead.

Colorful Departure

Throughout her time as a working royal, Meghan often opted for neutral hues to avoid overshadowing prominent royal figures. She stated in the Netflix series “Harry & Meghan,” “Until that last week in the U.K., I rarely wore color.” She aimed to not “upstage or ruffle any feathers” and sought to “blend in.” However, during her final week of engagements, Meghan embraced vibrant colors, expressing, “I thought, ‘Well, let’s just look like a rainbow.'” This marked a stark contrast to her previous wardrobe choices.

Dress Code Dynamics

Meghan’s decision to wear muted tones was informed by royal protocol. In her own words, “To my understanding, you could never wear the same color as Her Majesty [Queen Elizabeth] if there’s a group event, but then you also shouldn’t be wearing the same color as one of the other more senior members of the family,” referencing royals like Queen Camilla or Kate Middleton. To ensure distinction, she often chose shades like camel, beige, and white.

Acknowledging the Final Farewell

During the concluding royal events, Meghan chose to make a statement with her attire, describing it as an opportunity “to go out with a bang,” as mentioned by Harry in their 2022 docuseries. This farewell week marked the end of their public duties as senior royals, offering a vivid and memorable closure to that chapter of their lives.