Prince Harry has been out and about supporting his favorite causes since he moved back to England in August, but Meghan Markle hasn’t made any official appearances until now. The Duchess of Sussex made her return to public life on Thursday, October 15, joining her husband for a busy day of events in Nottingham, England—and her autumnal outfit was full of symbolism.
It felt like a flashback to 2017 when the couple arrived in Nottingham, which was the scene of their first official joint royal engagement after their engagement. Wearing an oversized burgundy Joseph coat with a turtleneck by the British brand, Meghan greeted fans and gave out hugs to fans who lined the streets to meet the Sussexes.
Notably, the duchess wore a Joseph skirt during her 2017 trip to Nottingham, and former royal butler Grant Harrold says Thursday's outfit was “no accident.”
Speaking on behalf of OLBG, Harrold says that Meghan's outfit was carefully considered. "No royal fashion decisions are ever an accident," he says. "I think this is a nice nod back to the beginning of her royal journey which I believe she’s selected to symbolize a fresh start."
The duchess paired her Joseph coat and turtleneck with a bag by the designer, a skirt by The Fold, a Marks and Spencer belt and Jennifer Chamandi heels—all of which are U.K.-based brands.
Harrold says it was "a very well thought out and clever move" to choose all British brands for her first U.K. appearance in years. "She’s very thoughtful when it comes to her clothing, and this is a perfect example of how she sends clear messages without saying a word," the former butler to King Charles says.
"She knows she needs to win back over the British public, and supporting local fashion houses and designers is an easy starting point," he adds. "It’s her way of saying she’s back and she’s committed to the U.K."