Duchess Meghan's Flowing Silk Dress Has a Hidden Meaning

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Duchess Meghan chose to wear a meaningful yellow dress during a reception that marked the end of her visit to Nigeria.

While visiting the State Governor House in Lagos on May 12—Mother's Day—the duchess looked radiant in a bold sleeveless gown by Carolina Herrera. The flowing silk dress is the same ensemble Meghan wore in 2020 for Prince Archie's first birthday, as well as in 2021, when she announced her second pregnancy with Princess Lilibet.

To complete her sentimental outfit, the duchess wore a pair of nude slingback leather sandals, and accessorized with gold hammered disc earrings from Jennifer Meyer, a gold AURate collar necklace, and a stack of gold bangle bracelets that have accompanied her range of looks throughout the trip. The glimmering assortment of bracelets included her Lorraine Schwartz ‘Evil Eye’ bracelet, gold Cartier ‘Love’ bangle, diamond hex tennis bracelet from Ariel Gordon, and ‘snowflake’ diamond ring from Birks.

The event was hosted by Nigeria's Chief of Defense Staff, General Christopher Gwabin Musa OFR, who invited the couple to visit the country, and the Governor of Lagos, Babajide Sanwo-Olu. Upon their arrival, Meghan received a green shawl with white and yellow stripes as a gift from the governor's wife.

In a brief speech, Sanwo-Olu praised the royal duo for their visit, extending an invitation for the couple to return. “We are happy for what they are doing for military men, mental health issues, and mental illness,” he said, and talked about galvanizing the support to ensure that “people who require the support both in the military and private can seek the support. The denial, the stigmatization is one of the things that we talked about.”

Earlier in the day, Meghan and Harry were welcomed at the Lagos airport by an acrobatic dance performance. The couple gasped as they watched dancers hoisted into the air to create human towers. After, they were escorted onto the basketball court at Ilupeju Senior Grammar School, where they supported the nonprofit Giants of Africa.

The duchess wore a traditional Nigerian maxi skirt—gifted to her during a reception in Abuja on May 11—made of white and blue striped aso oke, a hand-woven material from south-west Nigeria. The outfit choice follows Meghan's revelation that she is 43 percent Nigerian.

She paired the statement garment with a crisp white button-down shirt from Caroline Herrera, which she wore with the sleeves rolled up. Meghan accessorized with metallic heels, a gold pendant necklace, and black square sunglasses. Prince Harry matched her look in a white button-down shirt and brown slacks, which he dressed up with a tan suit jacket and tan suede loafers. He also donned a pair of black shades.

The couple unveiled a partnership between their Archewell Foundation and Giants of Africa, which uses sport — principally basketball — to empower and engage young people. After enjoying a series of street-style dances, the charity’s Vice-Chairman and President, ex-NBA star Masai Ujiri, addressed Meghan and mentioned his own wife, wishing them both a happy Mother's Day. Ujiri added, “It is sometimes hard for us to be away from our kids and family to make things like this happen. But to do so shows dedication.”

Taking the mic, Harry praised the work achieved by Giants of Africa. “The power of sport can change lives. It brings people together and creates community and there are no barriers which is the most important thing.” To demonstrate, Harry stepped on to the court and took part in some fun ball bouncing drills.

The couple then moved around the court and spoke to some of the wheelchair basketball players, crouching down to ask each player their name. As the event ended, Prince Harry took one last shot on the court and made it. For him especially, ending their journey in Lagos holds special significance as it mirrors a historic visit by his parents, King Charles and Princess Diana, on an official state visit in 1990.

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