Queen Elizabeth II and Meghan Markle on the balcony of Buckingham Palace during Trooping the Color.
April 16 2025, Published 11:38 a.m. ET
Meghan Markle has never paid much heed to royal protocols, reportedly finding them suffocating. So it comes as no surprise that the Duchess of Sussex broke protocol during her first Trooping the Color in 2018. The ceremonial event, held to celebrate the Queen’s official birthday, saw her don an off-shoulder dress that went against tradition.
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Trooping the Colour is one of the most important dates in the royal calendar. As reported by the Daily Mail, all royal family members are expected to dress modestly, adhering to a dress code that prioritizes conservative elegance. Royal expert Laura Windsor told the outlet, “Shoulders should always be covered, and the golden rule of dressing is to adhere to protocol.” She added, “Meghan was a member of the royal family and should have respected protocol. By breaching protocol, she was sending a pretty clear message. In my view, that made her a poor decision-maker.”
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The event marked Markle’s first appearance on the Buckingham Palace balcony with the Queen and other royal family members. Etiquette Expert Myka Meir also told the outlet, “The bottom line is that the outfit always has to fit the occasion. It has to be modest, elegant, and appropriate, and it should never distract from the role.” Meanwhile, the 2018 Trooping the Color saw the late Queen, Kate Middleton, and Queen Camilla all wearing matching blue outfits. Markle stood out in a soft pink dress. According to the Daily Mail, off-the-shoulder gowns are typically reserved for evening events, not daytime occasions steeped in military tradition.
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Britain’s Queen Elizabeth, Prince Charles, Meghan Duchess of Sussex, Prince Harry, Kate Duchess of Cambridge and Prince William attend the annual Trooping the Colour Ceremony in London. pic.twitter.com/scD4isBc9q
— Fox News (@FoxNews) June 10, 2018
The Duchess of Sussex has broken several other royal protocols with her questionable fashion choices. One notable moment came during Prince Louis’s christening, where she drew attention with her outfit choice. While other royal ladies opted for soft, neutral blue tones, the Duchess stood out in a dark olive-green ensemble. As reported by the Daily Express, she may have chosen her Ralph Lauren olive-green dress because the shade symbolizes peace. Stylist reported that Markle also broke protocol at her nephew’s christening photos. She was seen being overly touchy and wrapping her arms around Prince Harry, which is usually looked down upon in formal pictures.
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With her wedding itself, Markle broke a major royal tradition when she wore a white wedding gown and a veil. As per royal tradition, divorced women should avoid wearing white, as the color is reserved for first-time brides only. Royal author Ingrid Seward, in her book My Mother and I, claimed that the Queen thought her dress was ‘too white’ for a second marriage. Seward explained, “In the monarch’s view, it was not appropriate for a divorcee getting remarried in church to look quite so flamboyantly virginal.”