The message behind Meghan’s latest maternity fashion statement

The Duchess of Sussex is expecting her first daughter this summer, and her latest public appearance allowed for the opportunity to send a feminist message through her fashion choices.

Meghan made a statement on camera for Vax Live, a televised concert in the US which aimed to raise awareness and ask world leaders to make coronavirus vaccines accessible for all.

During a two minute speech, filmed in the back garden of the home she shares with Prince Harry in Montecito, California, Meghan spoke of how ‘women… have been disproportionately affected by this pandemic’.

She did so wearing a striking, poppy red and pink £1,911 silk shirt dress by Carolina Herrera - the New York label she has turned to time and again during both her pregnancy with Archie, and now with her daughter.

Watch: Meghan Markle's necklace is a sweet nod to her future daughter

Wes Gordon, creative director at the house, recently told The Telegraph of the moment Meghan chose Herrera for the Misan Harriman portrait revealing her baby bump.

‘I made [the dress] for her when she was pregnant with Archie, so almost two years ago,’ he explained. ‘The number one thing that someone can do for sustainability is hold on to those pieces you buy and use them for a longer amount of time. That’s why I think what Meghan did is such a powerful message. She wore a dress that’s no less beautiful, because it’s two years old... it makes her feel no less special or no less happy.’

Herrera also created an exceptional blue diaphanous gown which Meghan wore when pregnant with Archie, to meet the King of Morocco. The brand, clearly, is one which she relies on when looking for statement dresses in which to celebrate big life moments.

Away from the dress, though, the other half of the story with this latest look can be found in the necklace.

Zoom in, and you will see that the pendant on Meghan’s gold necklace is a combination of the Venus symbol and a protesting fist, studded with a purple amethyst stone associated with enlightenment.

Similarly to when Meghan was interviewed by Oprah Winfrey wearing Princess Diana’s bracelet as her husband spoke of ‘history repeating itself’, this was an instance where the Duchess’s jewellery choice was symbolic.

Woman power charm necklace, £102, Awe Inspired

Meghan wore a significant £102 ‘woman power charm necklace’ by Awe Inspired, an American demi-fine jewellery brand founded in 2017 by three-time cancer survivor Jill Johnson. Johnson’s family-run business specifically creates sentimental pieces, and 20 percent of each sale’s profit is donated to the customer’s choice of women’s charity.

‘My husband and I are thrilled to soon be welcoming a daughter,’ Meghan said, when considering the way that women have been affected during the pandemic. The Duchess suggested that a generation of women will have missed progress opportunities due to the coronavirus crisis.

‘When we think of her, we think of all the young women and girls around the globe who must be given the ability and support to lead us forward.'

As ever, the Duchess’s verbal message was enhanced and underscored by carefully selected sartorial elements.

Watch: Meghan Markle calls for vaccine equity to help women affected by the pandemic

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