Duchess Meghan’s Ruffled Red Gown Is the Style Highlight of Her Nigeria Trip

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Duchess Meghan was a vision in a ruffled red maxi dress as she hosted a Women in Leadership panel in Nigeria.

She cohosted the event with Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, director-general of the World Trade Organization. The goal was highlighting the importance of female leadership and empowerment in driving positive change globally.

Meghan looked radiant in her red gown by Oríré—an upcoming Nigerian female designer—which boasted barely-there straps and a ruffled bottom. To contrast the bold color, the duchess accessorized sparingly with a diamond tennis necklace, gold bangle bracelets, and a diamond ring. She polished off her look with simple nude stilettos and kept her dark hair slicked back in a bun.

The event, for about 50 leading women from across Nigerian society in politics, business, media, and culture, kicked off with the duchess and Okonjo-Iweala taking part in a panel discussion, moderated by Nigerian media mogul Mo Abudu, who runs Africa’s first global Black entertainment lifestyle network.

After the introductions, Abudu asked how the duchess felt about finding out she was Nigerian.

“Well, firstly, thank you all so much for being here. I am just flattered and honored and inspired,” Meghan said. “It has been a whirlwind 24 hours since we arrived, and I very quickly got the memo than I need to wear more color, so I can fit in with all of you in your incredible fashion. I am very overwhelmed. So I want to start by saying thank you very much for just how gracious you’ve all been in welcoming my husband and I to this country.” She paused before adding to applause: “My country.”

Meghan explained that the first thing she did when she learned about her Nigerian heritage “was call my mom, because I wanted to know if she had any awareness of it.” The duchess added that it was exciting for both her and her mother to discover more about their African background, and that the process was “really eye-opening and humbling.” Abudu then joked that the audience would have to decide on a Nigerian name for Meghan.

After Abudu outlined the importance of women holding positions of power, the duchess spoke about the impact of representation: “You need to at least be a familiar face for the next generation to say, ‘Oh, she looks like me. And I can be that.’ ” Success isn’t defined by leaving home, Meghan said, but rather by coming home and shifting generational patterns. “I hope that I could do justice to the role model that I think so many young women deserve to have.”

Being a role model doesn’t always mean being serious and strong, Meghan said. “You can be a woman, you can be beautiful and intelligent. You can be powerful and playful, and they can coexist,” the said. The duchess cited a lesson from her own personal mentor, Bonnie Hammer, vice chairman of NBC: “[Work/life] balance will always change for you. That balance, what seems balanced 10 years ago is going to shift. And so being a mom has always been a dream of mine. And I’m so fortunate that we have two beautiful, healthy, very chatty sweet children.”

Meghan’s event comes after she and Harry attended a training session for charity organization Nigeria: Unconquered this morning. For the occasion, Meghan pulled out a cutout zebra-print dress from Johanna Ortiz, pairing the look with a stack of gold bangles and matching large gold earrings.

After participating in the training session, the couple arrived at a reception hosted by the Chief of Defence Staff in honor of military families. There, the duchess upped the glam factor in a white linen strapless gown, which matched Prince Harry's own cream linen suit. Meghan accessorized with a gold pendant necklace and the same bracelets she wore earlier in the day.

The Sussexes kicked off their visit to Nigeria on Friday, when they stopped by a school to learn about their new mental health initiative and enjoyed a dance put on by the kids. Later, they met with Nigerian Chief of Defence Staff Christopher Musa at the Defence Headquarters in the heart of Abuja, the West African country’s capital.

For the first occasion, Meghan looked lovely in a backless silk dress in a soft peach shade. And for the second engagement, she changed into a sleek white suit with flared pants.

Tomorrow, the duke and duchess will attend a basketball clinic with Giants of Africa, a cultural reception, and a polo fundraiser for Nigeria: Unconquered.

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