Meghan Markle Before Prince Harry: See How Her Style Changed

Being part of the ruling family of the United Kingdom comes with lots of rules and regulations, and Meghan Markle hasn’t had an easy time of it. Part of that has shown through her style and the clothes she chooses — and isn’t allowed to choose — while participating in her royal duties. Her style has evolved since she married Prince Harry in 2018, and has continued to change after the couple announced their decision to “step back as ‘senior’ members of the royal family” in 2020.

A Timeline of Duchess Meghan and Duchess Kate’s Rumored Feud

According to insiders who spoke exclusively with In Touch at the time of the announcement, the dress code was one thing Meghan was excited to leave behind. “She hated always having to be dressed to the nines as a royal,” they revealed. The “old-fashioned” standards — “like wearing dresses below the knee” — were a particular point of annoyance. “She’s much more comfortable wearing casual clothes,” the source said. “Flats, jeans and sweaters. … Now that she’s moved to Canada, she spends most of the day in sweats or yoga pants.”
It’s not just that she missed slipping into comfy clothes, though. It’s that she found the limits on what she could wear restrictive and unfair. “The Queen is very traditional and prefers female members of the family to wear a skirt or dress below the knee when seen in public,” a second source told In Touch. “As a modern-day woman, Meghan hated this protocol and thinks it’s sexist. … She rebelled a few times by wearing pants, but now she can wear them whenever she wants.”

Stunning! See All of Duchess Meghan Markle’s Best Style Moments

Ever since the Duchess of Sussex and Harry stepped away from their royal duties, they’ve been in control of how they go about their days, whether that’s lounging around in sweats, driving themselves around town or waving hello like normal people as private citizens.
Meghan has also become more vocal about her criticisms regarding the royal lifestyle. During an interview with New York magazine’s The Cut published in August 2022, the former Suits star said the strict rules about releasing family photos was one example of what made life as a royal so challenging. “There’s literally a structure by which if you want to release photos of your child, as a member of the family, you first have to give them to the Royal Rota,” Meghan told the outlet about the United Kingdom press pool that covers the royal family.
“Why would I give the very people that are calling my children the n-word a photo of my child before I can share it with the people that love my child?” she asked. “You tell me how that makes sense and then I’ll play that game.”
Check out the gallery below to see how Meghan Markle’s style has changed over the years. 

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This look is just too cute and casual. “,”url”:”https:\/\/www.intouchweekly.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/Meghan-Markle-July-2016-Shorts-Set.jpg?resize=1200%2C1200&quality=86&strip=all”,”width”:”1200″,”height”:”1200″},{“@type”:”ImageObject”,”datePublished”:”2020-01-31T13:31:22-05:00″,”caption”:”After she met Harry, she opted for slightly more conservative looks but kept her style casual with jeans and button-downs. “,”url”:”https:\/\/www.intouchweekly.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/Meghan-Markle-September-2017-Jeans-and-Top.jpg?resize=1200%2C1200&quality=86&strip=all”,”width”:”1200″,”height”:”1200″},{“@type”:”ImageObject”,”datePublished”:”2020-01-31T13:31:22-05:00″,”caption”:”But after they got engaged, she made her first foray into the royals’ sense of fashion, donning gloves and a fascinator. “,”url”:”https:\/\/www.intouchweekly.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/Meghan-Markle-December-2017-Coat-and-Fascinator.jpg?crop=0px%2C0px%2C1935px%2C1935px&resize=1200%2C1200&quality=86&strip=all”,”width”:”1200″,”height”:”1200″},{“@type”:”ImageObject”,”datePublished”:”2020-01-31T13:31:22-05:00″,”caption”:”She wasn’t ready to ditch the pants just yet, though, instead dressing them up with a conservative top and classy coat. “,”url”:”https:\/\/www.intouchweekly.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/Meghan-Markle-March-2018-Pants-and-Coat.jpg?resize=1200%2C1200&quality=86&strip=all”,”width”:”1200″,”height”:”1200″},{“@type”:”ImageObject”,”datePublished”:”2020-01-31T13:31:22-05:00″,”caption”:”Slowly, her style seemed to reflect her new family’s. By the time she married into the royals, many of her dresses looked like they’d come straight from Duchess Kate’s closet. “,”url”:”https:\/\/www.intouchweekly.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/Meghan-Markle-May-2018-Dress-and-Fascinator.jpg?resize=1200%2C1200&quality=86&strip=all”,”width”:”1200″,”height”:”1200″},{“@type”:”ImageObject”,”datePublished”:”2020-01-31T13:31:22-05:00″,”caption”:”This fascinator and button-down dress looked like something Prince William’s wife would’ve happily worn.”,”url”:”https:\/\/www.intouchweekly.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/Meghan-Markle-June-2018-Shirtdress-and-Fascinator.jpg?resize=1200%2C1200&quality=86&strip=all”,”width”:”1200″,”height”:”1200″},{“@type”:”ImageObject”,”datePublished”:”2020-01-31T13:31:22-05:00″,”caption”:”While she looked gorgeous, she also occasionally looked uncomfortable. “,”url”:”https:\/\/www.intouchweekly.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/Meghan-Markle-October-2018-Fascinator.jpg?resize=1200%2C1200&quality=86&strip=all”,”width”:”1200″,”height”:”1200″},{“@type”:”ImageObject”,”datePublished”:”2020-01-31T13:31:22-05:00″,”caption”:”When she could sneak in pieces that were closer to her style \u2014 like this green, leather skirt \u2014 she seemed infinitely more at ease. “,”url”:”https:\/\/www.intouchweekly.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/Meghan-Markle-October-2018-Leather-Skirt.jpg?resize=1200%2C1200&quality=86&strip=all”,”width”:”1200″,”height”:”1200″},{“@type”:”ImageObject”,”datePublished”:”2020-01-31T13:31:22-05:00″,”caption”:”Every now and then, she even stuck to her own aesthetics, slipping on a pair of pants that she didn’t feel the need to hide behind a long jacket.”,”url”:”https:\/\/www.intouchweekly.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/Meghan-Markle-February-2019-Jeans-and-Jacket.jpg?resize=1200%2C1200&quality=86&strip=all”,”width”:”1200″,”height”:”1200″},{“@type”:”ImageObject”,”datePublished”:”2020-01-31T13:31:22-05:00″,”caption”:”After Archie’s birth, she seemed to revert back to her own aesthetics, even working in the occasional pair of jeans. “,”url”:”https:\/\/www.intouchweekly.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/Meghan-Markle-July-2019-Jeans-and-Jacket.jpg?resize=1200%2C1200&quality=86&strip=all”,”width”:”1200″,”height”:”1200″},{“@type”:”ImageObject”,”datePublished”:”2020-01-31T13:31:22-05:00″,”caption”:”Yep, even while out on official royal duties with her husband. “,”url”:”https:\/\/www.intouchweekly.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/Meghan-Markle-September-2019-Jeans-and-Jean-Jacket.jpg?resize=1200%2C1200&quality=86&strip=all”,”width”:”1200″,”height”:”1200″},{“@type”:”ImageObject”,”datePublished”:”2020-01-31T13:31:22-05:00″,”caption”:”This jumpsuit perfectly toed the line between comfortable and classic. “,”url”:”https:\/\/www.intouchweekly.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/Meghan-Markle-September-2019-Jumpsuit.jpg?resize=1200%2C1200&quality=86&strip=all”,”width”:”1200″,”height”:”1200″},{“@type”:”ImageObject”,”datePublished”:”2020-01-31T13:31:22-05:00″,”caption”:”And this ‘fit looked like something we would’ve seen Meghan in back during her Hollywood days. “,”url”:”https:\/\/www.intouchweekly.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/Meghan-Markle-September-2019-Pants-and-Blouse.jpg?resize=1200%2C1200&quality=86&strip=all”,”width”:”1200″,”height”:”1200″},{“@type”:”ImageObject”,”datePublished”:”2020-01-31T13:31:22-05:00″,”caption”:”Occasionally, she still had to play by the royals’ rules.”,”url”:”https:\/\/www.intouchweekly.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/Meghan-Markle-November-2019-Coat-and-Hat.jpg?resize=1200%2C1200&quality=86&strip=all”,”width”:”1200″,”height”:”1200″},{“@type”:”ImageObject”,”datePublished”:”2020-01-31T13:31:22-05:00″,”caption”:”We doubt this is the last hat we’ll ever seen Meghan wear \u2014 but now that she can choose her own accessories, we bet she’ll go for more of a baseball cap than a fascinator. “,”url”:”https:\/\/www.intouchweekly.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/Meghan-Markle-November-2019-Coat-and-Fascinator.jpg?resize=1200%2C1200&quality=86&strip=all”,”width”:”1200″,”height”:”1200″},{“@type”:”ImageObject”,”datePublished”:”2022-09-12T13:15:21-04:00″,”caption”:”Meghan was all smiles as she sported a brown turtleneck sweater and matching silk maxi skirt.”,”url”:”https:\/\/www.intouchweekly.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/Meghan-Markle-January-2020.jpg?resize=1200%2C1200&quality=86&strip=all”,”width”:”1200″,”height”:”1200″},{“@type”:”ImageObject”,”datePublished”:”2022-09-12T13:15:21-04:00″,”caption”:”Meghan wore a bright blue dress and navy heels while attending the Endeavour Fund Awards in March 2020.”,”url”:”https:\/\/www.intouchweekly.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/Meghan-Markle-March-2020.jpg?resize=1200%2C1200&quality=86&strip=all”,”width”:”1200″,”height”:”1200″},{“@type”:”ImageObject”,”datePublished”:”2022-09-12T13:15:21-04:00″,”caption”:”She looked gorgeous in a short white dress that featured floral details while attending the Global Citizen Live event in September 2021.”,”url”:”https:\/\/www.intouchweekly.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/Meghan-Markle-September-2021.jpg?resize=1200%2C1200&quality=86&strip=all”,”width”:”1200″,”height”:”1200″},{“@type”:”ImageObject”,”datePublished”:”2022-09-12T13:15:21-04:00″,”caption”:”The California native kept warm in an all-black ensemble that included a jacket, sweater, trousers and heels.”,”url”:”https:\/\/www.intouchweekly.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/Meghan-September-2021.jpg?resize=1200%2C1200&quality=86&strip=all”,”width”:”1200″,”height”:”1200″},{“@type”:”ImageObject”,”datePublished”:”2022-09-12T13:15:21-04:00″,”caption”:”Meghan wore a red gown with a plunging neckline to the Salute to Freedom Gala in November 2021.”,”url”:”https:\/\/www.intouchweekly.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/Meghan-Markle-November-2021.jpg?resize=1200%2C1200&quality=86&strip=all”,”width”:”1200″,”height”:”1200″},{“@type”:”ImageObject”,”datePublished”:”2022-09-12T13:15:21-04:00″,”caption”:”The mother of two stunned in an all white suit and matching clutch purse while attending the Invictus Games in the Netherlands.”,”url”:”https:\/\/www.intouchweekly.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/Meghan-Markle-April-2022.jpg?resize=1200%2C1200&quality=86&strip=all”,”width”:”1200″,”height”:”1200″},{“@type”:”ImageObject”,”datePublished”:”2022-09-12T13:15:21-04:00″,”caption”:”Meghan paired a white off the shoulder top with tight black pants.”,”url”:”https:\/\/www.intouchweekly.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/Meghan-April-2022.jpg?resize=1200%2C1200&quality=86&strip=all”,”width”:”1200″,”height”:”1200″},{“@type”:”ImageObject”,”datePublished”:”2022-09-12T13:15:22-04:00″,”caption”:”She wore a classic black dress with matching heels during an outing in New York City with Harry.”,”url”:”https:\/\/www.intouchweekly.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/July-2022.jpg?resize=1200%2C1200&quality=86&strip=all”,”width”:”1200″,”height”:”1200″},{“@type”:”ImageObject”,”datePublished”:”2022-09-12T13:15:22-04:00″,”caption”:”Meghan showed off her toned arms while rocking a white tank top and light pink high waisted pants.”,”url”:”https:\/\/www.intouchweekly.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/Meghan-Markle-September-2022.jpg?resize=1200%2C1200&quality=86&strip=all”,”width”:”1200″,”height”:”1200″},{“@type”:”ImageObject”,”datePublished”:”2022-09-12T13:15:22-04:00″,”caption”:”She wore a classic short-sleeved black dress while greeting members of the public outside of\u00a0Windsor Castle in Berkshire following the death of\u00a0Queen Elizabeth II.”,”url”:”https:\/\/www.intouchweekly.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/Meghan-Sept-2022.jpg?resize=1200%2C1200&quality=86&strip=all”,”width”:”1200″,”height”:”1200″},{“@type”:”ImageObject”,”datePublished”:”2023-01-05T15:04:10-05:00″,”caption”:”Meghan looked elegant in an all-white ensemble consisting of a midi-length dress with an oversized collar, a hat and matching pumps at the St. Paul’s Cathedral Service of Thanksgiving for Queen Elizabeth II in June 2022. “,”url”:”https:\/\/www.intouchweekly.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/Meghan-Markle-Style-Evolution-June-2022.jpg?resize=1200%2C1200&quality=86&strip=all”,”width”:”1200″,”height”:”1200″},{“@type”:”ImageObject”,”datePublished”:”2023-01-05T15:04:10-05:00″,”caption”:”The \u201cArchetypes With Meghan\u201d podcast host wowed in an off-the-shoulder, ankle-length curve-hugging Louis Vuitton gown with a knee-high slit while attending the Ripple of Hope Awards with Prince Harry in New York in December 2022. “,”url”:”https:\/\/www.intouchweekly.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/Meghan-Markle-Style-Evolution-December-2022.jpg?resize=1200%2C1200&quality=86&strip=all”,”width”:”1200″,”height”:”1200″}]}
1 of 34Erik Pendzich/Shutterstock

May 2012

The actress showed off her toned legs in a curve-hugging, ruched mini skirt and flowy top while attending the USA Upfront Presentation in New York in May 2012.

2 of 34Broadimage/Shutterstock

January 2013

Meghan stunned in a strapless jewel-toned midi dress with peplum detailing at the Elle Women In Television celebration in Los Angeles in January 2013.

3 of 34Kristina Bumphrey/Starpix/Shutterstock

September 2013

During her time starring on Suits, the actress regularly donned sexy two-piece sets like this black number.

4 of 34Mediapunch/Shutterstock

February 2014

She also wasn’t afraid to get a little edgy by pairing sweet white dresses with studded leather jackets.

5 of 34Mediapunch/Shutterstock

June 2015

She regularly rocked pairs of trousers, including this white pair matched with a slightly sheer top.

6 of 34Dave Allocca/Starpix/Shutterstock

November 2015

Every now and then, she broke out a minidress like this blazer-inspired piece.

7 of 34Mediapunch/Shutterstock

July 2016

Short sets were also one of her wardrobe staples. This look is just too cute and casual.

8 of 34Tim Rooke/Shutterstock

September 2017

After she met Harry, she opted for slightly more conservative looks but kept her style casual with jeans and button-downs.

9 of 34Tim Rooke/Shutterstock

December 2017

But after they got engaged, she made her first foray into the royals’ sense of fashion, donning gloves and a fascinator.

10 of 34Tim Rooke/Shutterstock

March 2018

She wasn’t ready to ditch the pants just yet, though, instead dressing them up with a conservative top and classy coat.

11 of 34Tim Rooke/Shutterstock

May 2018

Slowly, her style seemed to reflect her new family’s. By the time she married into the royals, many of her dresses looked like they’d come straight from Duchess Kate‘s closet.

12 of 34David Hartley/Shutterstock

June 2018

This fascinator and button-down dress looked like something Prince William‘s wife would’ve happily worn.

13 of 34Shutterstock

October 2018

While she looked gorgeous, she also occasionally looked uncomfortable.

14 of 34Tim Rooke/Shutterstock

October 2018

When she could sneak in pieces that were closer to her style — like this green, leather skirt — she seemed infinitely more at ease.

15 of 34Tim Rooke/Shutterstock

February 2019

Every now and then, she even stuck to her own aesthetics, slipping on a pair of pants that she didn’t feel the need to hide behind a long jacket.

16 of 34Paul Grover/Shutterstock

July 2019

After Archie’s birth, she seemed to revert back to her own aesthetics, even working in the occasional pair of jeans.

17 of 34Shutterstock

September 2019

Yep, even while out on official royal duties with her husband.

18 of 34Shutterstock

September 2019

This jumpsuit perfectly toed the line between comfortable and classic.

19 of 34Beretta/Sims/Shutterstock

September 2019

And this ‘fit looked like something we would’ve seen Meghan in back during her Hollywood days.

20 of 34Shutterstock

November 2019

Occasionally, she still had to play by the royals’ rules.

21 of 34DAVID HARTLEY/Shutterstock

November 2019

We doubt this is the last hat we’ll ever seen Meghan wear — but now that she can choose her own accessories, we bet she’ll go for more of a baseball cap than a fascinator.

22 of 34FACUNDO ARRIZABALAGA/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock

January 2020

Meghan was all smiles as she sported a brown turtleneck sweater and matching silk maxi skirt.

23 of 34Tim Rooke/Shutterstock

March 2020

Meghan wore a bright blue dress and navy heels while attending the Endeavour Fund Awards in March 2020.

24 of 34Kristin Callahan/Shutterstock

September 2021

She looked gorgeous in a short white dress that featured floral details while attending the Global Citizen Live event in September 2021.

25 of 34Steve Sands/NewYorkNewswire/Bauer-Griffin/Shutterstock

September 2021

The California native kept warm in an all-black ensemble that included a jacket, sweater, trousers and heels.

26 of 34Craig Ruttle/AP/Shutterstock

November 2021

Meghan wore a red gown with a plunging neckline to the Salute to Freedom Gala in November 2021.

27 of 34PPE/SIPA/Shutterstock

April 2022

The mother of two stunned in an all white suit and matching clutch purse while attending the Invictus Games in the Netherlands.

28 of 34Chris Jackson/Getty

April 2022

Meghan paired a white off the shoulder top with tight black pants.

29 of 34JASON SZENES/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock

July 2022

She wore a classic black dress with matching heels during an outing in New York City with Harry.

30 of 34Tim Rooke/Shutterstock

September 2022

Meghan showed off her toned arms while rocking a white tank top and light pink high waisted pants.

31 of 34Kirsty O’Connor/WPA Pool/Shutterstock

September 2022

She wore a classic short-sleeved black dress while greeting members of the public outside of Windsor Castle in Berkshire following the death of Queen Elizabeth II.

32 of 34George Cracknell Wright/LNP/Shutterstock

June 2022

Meghan looked elegant in an all-white ensemble consisting of a midi-length dress with an oversized collar, a hat and matching pumps at the St. Paul’s Cathedral Service of Thanksgiving for Queen Elizabeth II in June 2022.

33 of 34Gregory Pace/Shutterstock

December 2022

The “Archetypes With Meghan” podcast host wowed in an off-the-shoulder, ankle-length curve-hugging Louis Vuitton gown with a knee-high slit while attending the Ripple of Hope Awards with Prince Harry in New York in December 2022.

34 of 34