Meghan Markle made a stylish return to the red carpet on Thursday night in Hollywood to support her husband, Prince Harry, at the ESPY Awards. He was honored with the Pat Tillman Award for Service in recognition of his work with the Invictus Games.
The duchess last graced the red carpet back in January for a premiere screening of the Bob Marley: One Love biopic in Jamaica. Since then, she has made few public appearances, soft-launching her lifestyle brand American Riviera Orchard in March and undertaking a visit to Nigeria with Harry in May.
Meghan made a striking appearance at the ESPY [Excellence in Sports Performance Yearly] Awards, wearing an elegant off-white halter neck gown with cowl neckline detailing. The sleek column dress cut on the bias accentuated the royal's figure and bore a striking resemblance to the gown worn for her evening wedding reception with Prince Harry back in 2018.
The duchess styled the look in accordance with her preferred simple aesthetic, wearing her hair in a classic slicked-back low-bun with center parting. Her makeup was simple with a smoked-eye effect, hint of blush and pale lip. For accessories, Meghan opted not to carry a bag, instead showcasing her usual array of jewelry including her diamond engagement ring.
Her shoes were a pair of black strapped heeled sandals by Celine. Newsweek approached representatives of Meghan Markle via email for comment.
Meghan's fashion choices for awards shows have become highly anticipated since her split from the monarchy with Harry in 2020. The events provide a rare opportunity for the public to see the duchess dressed to impress for an official occasion.
In 2023, the royal won praise from the fashion press when she wore a glittering gold Johanna Ortiz strapless dress for the Ms. Foundation Women of Vision Awards in New York City. Meghan again delighted fans in November, wearing a custom Proenza Schouler gown for the Variety magazine's Power of Women Gala in Los Angeles.
On Thursday, the duchess posed on the red carpet of the ESPY Awards with Prince Harry and her longtime friend, retired tennis player Serena Williams.
Meghan was photographed watching proudly during the ceremony as Harry accepted the Pat Tillman Award for Service, paying tribute to veterans and their families as his Invictus Games project celebrates its 10th anniversary this year.
James Crawford-Smith is Newsweek's royal reporter, based in London. You can find him on X (formerly Twitter) at @jrcrawfordsmith and read his stories on Newsweek's The Royals Facebook page.
Do you have a question about King Charles III and Queen Camilla, William and Princess Kate, Meghan Markle and Prince Harry, or their family that you would like our experienced royal correspondents to answer? Email royals@newsweek.com. We'd love to hear from you.
About the writer
James Crawford-Smith is a Newsweek Royal Reporter, based in London, U.K. His focus is reporting on the British royal family ... Read more
