The 2023 Invictus Games proved to be a turning point for Prince Harry and, in particular, Meghan Markle.
The couple appeared happier and more relaxed than at any point since stepping away from royal life in 2020 and relocating to California.
For Meghan, the event also marked a shift in her fashion portfolio. Gone were the structured, formal silhouettes she often wore as a working member of The Firm.
In their place was an effortless, laid-back California chic – polished yet relaxed, and distinctly her own.
The Duchess debuted several looks that would have been unthinkable on official royal engagements.
House of Colour stylist, Sandy Lancaster, believes Meghan’s considered outfit choices reflected her move away from the restrictions of royal protocol.
She tells the Daily Mail: ‘Meghan’s wardrobe represented a real pivot point in her fashion evolution. Gone were the formal pencil skirts and belted dresses that defined her working royal style.
‘Instead, we saw shorts, strapless styles, skinny jeans and easy separates that spoke of a woman no longer feeling constrained by protocol.’
Meghan Markle wore a strapless Cult Gaia dress for the 2023 Invictus Games Closing Ceremony
The change was striking: ‘The shift towards playful cuts and laid-back styling reflected not just a different dress code but a different stage of life – one where she is free to express herself and connect with people less formally’.
One of Meghan’s most glamorous choices, according to Sandy, was a strapless Cult Gaia dress worn for the closing ceremony.
Beaming as she arrived hand-in-hand with Harry at the Düsseldorf football stadium, the Duchess looked immaculate.
The teal appliqué lace gown, cut to a figure-hugging silhouette, featured a peekaboo cutout skirt that offered just the right amount of allure while showcasing her toned physique.
Sandy explains: ‘Strapless cuts showcase collarbones and shoulders, which is flattering on women like Meghan with proportionate upper bodies. The clean neckline also leaves room to play with statement earrings or sleek hair.’
Indeed, Meghan opted for a slicked-back ponytail and nude Aquazzura court shoes, allowing her dress – and her newfound confidence – to take centre stage.
Elsewhere, the Duchess embraced casual ease in a series of short shorts – once considered a royal fashion faux pas.
One standout look paired a Zara playsuit with a longline Celine blazer in her signature beige tones. Flat Hermès sandals completed the outfit, striking the perfect balance between comfort and sophistication.
In one standout look, Meghan paired a Zara playsuit with a longline Celine blazer in her signature beige tones
The Duchess embraced casual ease in a series of short shorts – once considered a royal fashion faux pas
Traditionally, royals reserve black for mourning, but Meghan’s pared-back styling showed a willingness to rewrite the rules
At the One Year to Go launch event in September 2022, Meghan showcased a softer side in a knitted Anine Bing halterneck top paired with wide-leg trousers from Brandon Maxwell, again in her go-to palette of beige
Sandy believes this look was particularly successful. ‘It’s a silhouette that elongates the legs while keeping the upper body relaxed,’ she notes. ‘For women with athletic builds, this combination works beautifully because it shows off toned legs without clinging elsewhere.’
In another appearance, Meghan embodied understated chic in an all-black ensemble of a Crew tank top, Frame skinny jeans and Aquazzura court shoes, later swapping them for Hermès trainers.
Traditionally, royals reserve black for mourning, but Meghan’s pared-back styling showed a willingness to rewrite the rules.
The look was polished, practical and proof of her ability to dress down while still radiating quiet confidence.
At the One Year to Go launch event in September 2022, Meghan showcased a softer side in a knitted Anine Bing halterneck top and wide-leg trousers from Brandon Maxwell, again in her go-to palette of beige.
‘This softer look demonstrated how comfort and elegance can work hand in hand, Sandy explains. ‘A halterneck draws the eye upwards, flattering the shoulders and elongating the neckline, while wide-leg trousers balance the silhouette and skim gracefully over the hips.’
The neckline mirrored that of Meghan’s second wedding dress, worn to her evening reception – a clear sign it’s a silhouette she loves and is now free to wear.
As a working royal, Meghan often leaned into conservative tailoring that aligned with palace protocol. However, these Invictus Games outfits feel more relaxed and self-assured.
For those inspired by Meghan’s style, Sandy offers this advice: choose silhouettes that allow freedom of movement, feel comfortable, and put you at ease – ‘because confidence is always the most stylish accessory’.