Whenever Meghan Markle's passport gets a stamp, fashion history is made. The Duchess of Sussex's wardrobing choices for official tours alongside her husband, Prince Harry, deliver on several fronts at once. They introduce independent and sustainable brands to the masses, such as when she wore Veja sneakers on a 2018 trip to Australia. They perform fashion diplomacy, lifting up local talents in the places she visits, like the Strathberry handbags she carried in Scotland or the Orire red dress she wore in Nigeria. And no matter the location or occasion, they make royal fans want to shop. (Every brand just listed immediately reported a sales boost after Duchess Meghan wore them.)
Meghan Markle's Colombia tour outfits, for a trip kicking off on Thursday, August 15, are no different. Since arriving for her first visit to a South American country, the Duchess has worn several memorable outfits to take in cultural performances and meet with regional leaders, by invitation of Vice President Francia Márquez. She started the week exemplifying the tailored vest trend in an all-business Veronica Beard set. Then she showed her affinity for local designers with a cut-out Johanna Ortiz dress made from a shimmering, geometric-print brocade. She paired it with a Cartier necklace steeped in fashion history.
By day two, Markle brought out another significant piece, Princess Diana's butterfly earrings, to juxtapose her easygoing blazer and button-up look for a school visit. Of course, these looks are were the start.
By days three and four, Meghan Markle's Colombia tour outfits began to incorporate a broader range of Colombian designers, including Juan De Dios (in the form of a white polka dot skirt) and Silvia Tcherassi (in a sleeveless top and beaded power skirt). Duchess Meghan also returned to some of her well-loved affordable brands—like Posse, an Australian label she chose for a classic, all-white outfit.
The Duchess of Sussex spent four full days in Colombia. As with previous official trips, she wore at least two looks each day—and each one deserves a moment in the spotlight. So ahead, Marie Claire is tracking every single look Meghan Markle wore on her trip to Colombia. In keeping with Meghan Markle fashion history, her Colombia outfits were full of meaning—and destined to sell out.
Meghan Markle's Veronica Beard Suit Outfit
Meghan Markle commenced her visit to Colombia by having tea with Vice President Francia Márquez on Thursday, August 15. She arrived at the meeting in a navy blue suit by Veronica Beard, consisting of a tailored vest and capri-length trousers. Accessories entailed a Lorraine Schwartz bracelet, Pippa Smalls earrings, Manolo Blahnik pumps, and a white Loro Piana bag—with a white manicure to match.
Duchess Meghan wore the same look for a visit to Colegio Cultura Popular, a charter school in Colombia. There, she spoke with a small group of students about social media. People reports that Markle called the students "impressive, smart and savvy." (Onlookers could say the exact same things about her—and her crisp suit.)
Meghan Markle's Johanna Ortiz Dress
Up next, Meghan Markle and Prince Harry attended a cultural performance of dance, music, and theatre at the National Center for the Arts in Bogotá. The Duchess changed everything about her look, swapping her solid-toned suit for a patterned, cut-out dress by Johanna Ortiz and taking her hair out from her low bun. It was a pointed move for he second outfit: Johanna Ortiz is a Colombian designer based in Cali. What better way for Markle to show her appreciation for the performance and the rich culture inspiring it than by wearing a Colombian designer?
Meghan Markle has previously worn Johanna Ortiz on several occasions, including on her May visit to Nigeria. This time around, the former royal accessorized with a few of her most well-loved pieces—including a Cartier necklace valued at $13,400.
Meghan Markle's Victoria Beckham and La Ligne Mixed Neutrals
Meghan Markle's Colombia tour outfits for day one programming wrapped up with a set of pumpkin spice orange separates—and a few royal re-wears. Speaking on a "Responsible Digital Future" panel alongside her husband, Prince Harry, Markle turned to a Victoria Beckham top she first wore in 2020. (Sadly, the exact item is no longer available to shop.) She paired it with silky, lounge-like pants by La Ligne. Her accessories also kept up with the fall-toned theme: suede Aquazzura sandals and Birks earrings, a repeat from a 2018 trip to Ireland.
Meghan Markle's Classic Outfit Formula and Sentimental Jewelry
Friday, August 16, day two of Meghan Markle's Colombia tour, began with a visit to Colegio La Giralda, a charter school in Bogotá. To meet with Serafin Ordoñez, the Head of School, practice speaking Spanish, and take in special performances from the students highlighting Colombian dance and song, Duchess Meghan went for one of her classic outfit formulas: the linen blazer and button-up. Her topmost layer was identified as Loro Piana's Jamila blazer, a lightweight piece she's worn on a few occasions already. (Her exact color is sold out.) Underneath, she wore a white shirt that has yet to be ID'd.
Meghan Markle completed her easygoing yet polished outfit with black trousers, her Cartier Tank watch, a Cesta Collective bag, and a pair of cap-toe Chanel ballet flats. The most meaningful part of her look was also one you may have missed: Closer inspection of photos of Markle walking hand-in-hand with Prince Harry around the school's campus reveal she wore a pair of Princess Diana's cherished butterfly earrings.
Meghan Markle's Classic Shirt and Polka-Dot Skirt Outfit
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle followed their morning school visit with a trip to visit Team Invictus Colombia. (A reminder: Prince Harry has been closely involved with the Invictus Games, a sports tournament for sick and wounded veterans, for many years.) The pair met athletes in casual outfits: a black polo shirt and pants for Harry, a white button-up shirt and polka dot skirt for Meghan.
Duchess Meghan's top came from Giuliva Heritage, an Italian brand she previously wore for a speaking engagement on International Women's Day at South by Southwest. The Duchess rolled her shirtsleeves up to her elbows for a laid-back look. Her skirt, meanwhile, came from Colombian designer Juan De Dios. Both items are currently sold out, but similar options are available at their respective designers' boutiques. She also wore stacks of gold jewelry and a pair of strappy Jimmy Choo sandals.
Meghan Markle's Regal Oscar de la Renta Gown
Duchess Meghan and Prince Harry wrapped up day two with a formal address to guests at a private event. Harper's Bazaar reports that Meghan entirely delivered her commentary in Spanish. She changed into a sleeveless, deep blue gown with a dramatic train and cape-effect neckline by Oscar de la Renta for the occasion.
The house, one of the only major US designer labels with Latin American roots, has been a recent favorite of Meghan Markle's for formal events. Attending the 2024 ESPY Awards earlier this summer, she wore a custom white gown by the brand that referenced her wedding reception gown from 2018. This time, the Duchess tapped Oscar de la Renta for what looked like diplomatic dressing: the exact shade closely resembled the blue of the Colombian flag.
Meghan Markle's Black Johanna Ortiz Set
Day three of the Colombia tour itinerary came with a change of scenery and several outfit changes. Relocating to Cartegena, a port city, on Saturday, August 17, Meghan Markle and Prince Harry took part in a drum performance and lesson at the Escuela Tambores de Cabildo. Duchess Meghan once again paid tribute to the region's fashion talent, dressing in a black co-ord set by Johanna Ortiz. The matching pieces included a crop top with cream stitching along the bodice and a tiered maxi skirt with the same high-contrast embroidery. She also added her woven Cesta Collective bag, a pair of Ray-Ban sunnies, and a straw hat to complete the down-to-earth look.
Meghan Markle's exact outfit for this leg of the Colombia tour is no longer in stock, but Johanna Oritz has several other matching sets to consider.
Meghan Markle's All-White Look
To round out day three—and while touring the historic village of San Basilio de Palenque, located outside Cartagena, Colombia—the Duchess of Sussex embodied easy, breezy summer elegance in an all-white outfit.
Markle chose a sleeveless white blouse from Argent—made from a rayon blend for a comfortable stretch and a soft feel, according to the designer—paired with a white maxi skirt from Posse.
Once again finding a way to match timely trends with the thoughtfulness of careful diplomacy, the duchess completed the look with a white wide-brim sunhat set with a black ribbon, drawing some much-deserved attention to Colombia-based brand Hannia Char.
The designer was born in Cartagena, Colombia, which made Markle's decision to feature the hat all the more fitting. According the brand's official website, Hannia studied law in the country's capital before she "returned to her hometown where she got inspired by the colorful romantic corners of her city."
Meghan Markle's Silvia Tcherassi Power Skirt
While attending and participating in the Afro Women and Power Forum at the Municipal Theater of Cali in Cali, Colombia, Markle took the stage in a sleeveless collared shirt from Mango and colorful power skirt—both from Colombian designer Silvia Tcherassi.
The Duchess paired the fit with a pair of her previously worn Manolo Blahnik BB pumps.
According to Tcherassi's designer bio, her career began as an interior designer before "the search for new artistic expressions led her into fashion."
"Her creations have been presented during the official calendar of Paris and Milano fashion weeks invited as a special guest by their organizers," her website states, adding that her collections are available "worldwide through her own namesake 15 stores situated in prime locations across Europe, North America and South America, historic department stores, some of the most famous multi-brand boutiques and premier online luxury fashion retailers."
Once again, tapping a local designer for her major appearance was a meaningful move on Duchess Meghan's part.
Meghan Markle's Drop-Waist Dress
Markle and Prince Harry concluded their final engagement on Sunday, August 18, at the Petronio Alvarez Festival, held at the Unidad Deportiva Alberto Galindo in Cali, Colombia. Markle incorporated the country's vibrant fashion into her late-night outfit with a verdant green drop-waist dress from Colombian designer Andrés Otalora. She kept things simple when it came to accessories, wearing textured gold hoop earrings by Tres Alias (which currently retails for $550,000) and black heels by Aquazzura.
Meghan Markle's All-White Outfit, Take Two
Meghan Markle's Colombia tour outfits concluded with a nod to one of the most prevalent designers of her trip and a return to a favored outfit formula. Taking in dancing performances at Unidad Recreativa El Vallado with Jóvenes por Cali, a community youth group emphasizing outreach through the arts, Duchess Meghan mixed a standard white T-shirt by Anine Bing—a longtime presence in her wardrobe—with a shimmering, embroidered skirt by Juan De Dios. The designer featured heavily in her Colombia tour outfits, providing the patterned skirt she previously wore for an Invictus Games event on day two. (Markle's exact skirt is sold out, but the designer has a similarly elegant dress in stock.)
This time around, Markle added a pair of easygoing leather sandals by Stuart Weitzman—the perfect pair for dancing some salsa with Prince Harry following the official performance.
