From their designer looks to thrifty high-street outfits, Meghan Markle and Kate Middleton’s style choices are widely admired from afar. Both the Duchess of Sussex and the Duchess of Cambridge, both 37, have led to retailers quickly selling out of the outfits they have worn. But, while many people watch to see exactly what they wear, it seems the royals may regularly follow a very subtle style trick. The revelation came to light when Express.co.uk chatted exclusively with fashion designer Holly Jade O’Leary.
The expert stylist has plenty of insight into royal dress sense, having styled Princess Eugenie and Princess Beatrice back in 2013.
Recalling her time working for the royals in her role as Head Stylist and Manager at Prangsta Costumiers, she explained how the two sisters had, unsurprisingly, their own individual looks.
Holly went on to address how there were plenty of style tips to be taken from the two Princesses.
“As they are photographed a lot, wearing simple block colours, accessorised with a nude or black heel lends film star glamour when viewed through a lens,” she said.
While the stylist was speaking about her experience dressing the daughters of Prince Andrew, the Duke of York, and Sarah Ferguson, Duchess of York, it seems that this could be a trick that other members of the Royal Family follow.
During her recent trip to Morocco, Meghan was spotted wearing a number of block colour looks.
On Monday, she opted for a black dress, teamed with a white jacket and black court shoes.
A day earlier, Meghan wore a vibrant red mid-length dress and a pair of nude high heels.
Similarly, the Duchess of Cambridge seems to be no stranger to this fashion hack.
Earlier this month, Kate arrived at Alperton Community School, London, in a vibrant green dress, tights, and black high heels.
And, on a visit to The Royal Opera House back in January, she also teamed a bright purple Oscar de la Renta number with tights and black heels.
But that’s not all that Holly had to say about Princess Eugenie and Princess Beatrice’s style choices.
She went on to suggest that bold accessories and millinery would only accentuate the chic royal look.
Not only that, but it seems posture and facial expressions could play an important role too when the Royal Family are photographed.
“Accentuate the look with bold accessories and millinery, a straight back, sisterly sass and a big smile,” Holly advised anyone looking to take royal style tips.
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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.