The Duke and Duchess of Sussex arrived in Brussels on Tuesday for their first joint outing overseas since moving back to the UK at the end of August.
The couple were pictured in good spirits as they arrived at the European Parliament in the Belgian capital to support the Lost Screen Memorial, commemorating 50 children who lost their lives because of online harm.
© Samir Hussein/WireImageLooking as resplendent as always, the royal donned a smart, tailored black trench coat by Mackage. The former Suits star also wore a pair of chic statement earrings by Dior and wore her famous raven hair tied back.
© Getty ImagesThis look was mindful, respectful and adhered perfectly to royal fashion rules of donning black in mourning.
Royals wearing black
When it comes to wearing black, the royal family has some staunch, unofficial style rules, which were confirmed by designer Zandra Rhodes.
© GettyIn 2024, the iconic fashion designer revealed to Saga Magazine that the late Princess Diana loved wearing black dresses, particularly for daywear, even though, unofficially, royals should only wear black at funerals.
“She was very shy,” Dame Zandra explained to the publication, adding: “she would come into my shop in Mayfair and go through the rails; sometimes she picked something in black, which the royals weren’t allowed to wear except at funerals, so we would make it in her size in a different colour.”
© POOL/AFP via Getty ImagesRoyals are always expected to take a black outfit on overseas trips, in case there is a bereavement. This was thought to have started in 1952 when the then-Princess Elizabeth was visiting Kenya with Prince Philip when she received news that her father, King George VI, had died.
© Getty ImagesSince her luggage did not include black clothing, she had no suitable mourning outfit for her return journey. Because after the death of a monarch, all royals must be seen wearing black, she had to remain on the aircraft until a black outfit was brought to her, so she could change before stepping onto the tarmac.
© WPA Pool/Getty ImagesHELLO!’s Online Royal Correspondent Danielle Stacey says: “I think the royals never want to be in a situation where they’re unprepared for such a scenario, having learned from Princess Elizabeth’s return from Kenya when her father died, so it would make sense for them to always have a black outfit to hand.
Meghan Markle loves Mackage
Meghan’s choice of Mackage continues a sartorial relationship with the Montreal-based outerwear label, dating back to her first royal visit in Nottingham in 2017.
© Getty ImagesThe former actress looked radiant as she walked alongside her then-husband-to-be, dressed in a black roll-neck and cream skirt combo, paired with a navy Mackage coat, boots and a burgundy Strathberry handbag.
