Meghan Markle has ditched “traditional royal silhouettes” during her four-day trip to Colombia with Prince Harry, according to a royal fashion expert.
The couple who are set to embark on the third day of their four-day quasi-royal tour to the South American country today, August 17, have been engaging with locals and officials ahead of Colombia’s participation in next year’s Invictus Games.
The Duchess of Sus𝑠e𝑥 has donned various different outfits across the first few days of their Colombia trip.
Commenting on the Duchess’ clothes, Rosie Harte, author of The Royal Wardrobe, A Very Fashionable History of the Monarchy, noted that Meghan “rarely adopts any of the traditional royal silhouettes”.
She told The Telegraph: “Meghan very rarely adopts any of the traditional royal silhouettes when on tour.
“No coat dresses, no hats, no lace, and instead opts for sleeker, more stylish looks.”
Instead, Meghan is “choosing designers who complement her own story” with her looks being “pieced together to support a narrative”.
Yet, the Duchess of Sus𝑠e𝑥 kept alive a longstanding tour tradition she also honoured during previous trips – choosing to wear an outfit designed by a local fashion house, a tribute to the country’s cultural and fashionable legacy.
On her first day in the Latin American country, Meghan dazzled in a metallic red, pink and gold Navajo Weaver dress by Colombian designer Johanna Ortiz. The royal paired the stunning outfit with brown Jimmy Choo mules and accessorised with a Cartier watch and bracelet.
Johanna Ortiz, a native of Cali, Colombia, has been at the forefront of Colombian couture since 2009.
She has served as a fashion ambassador for Colombia and has showcased her collections at prestigious venues such as the White House in Washington and the United Nations in New York.
However, royal fans did not like the dress’s slit in the middle and some of them deemed it inappropriate for such a visit.
The couple have been surrounded by a ring of steel of security since they arrived in Bogotà on August 15, amid ongoing concerns about their safety.
Colombia is classed as a Level 3 country in the US State Department travel advisory list, with tourists urged to reconsider plans because of the high risk of becoming a victim of crime or terrorism. During an outing yesterday, security was seen holding what is believed to be a kevlar shield over the couple.