The Duchess of Sussex offers a chic upgrade on last year's casual look at the Invictus Games

The Duchess of Sussex attends the Invictus Games in Sydney. - WireImage
The Duchess of Sussex attends the Invictus Games in Sydney. - WireImage

A lot can happen in a year. It seems like just yesterday we were all frantically analysing the Boyfriend shirt, ripped skinny jeans, and tan ballet pumps the Duchess of Sussex sported to her first public date with Prince Harry at last year's Invictus Games. The smitten young couple stole kisses during the events, strolling hand in hand throughout and both accessorising with Cheshire cat smiles. Fast forward a little over 365 days (a Royal wedding, countless joint appearances and a teeny tiny baby bump) and the Duke and Duchess of Sussex are back at the Invictus Games as part of their 16-day royal tour in Australia.  

There's not a doubt Meghan has upped her glamour ante since said wedding to Prince Harry back in May. Gone are the colour block bodycon dresses and shorts suits of yesteryear. Now we're much more likely to stumble upon a host of sleek and elegant custom Givenchy by Clare Waight Keller looks (should we ever have the pleasure of rummaging through Meghan's fabulous wardrobe).

However, if there was a look that served to highlight her Duchess makeover, it's this one. The expectant couple attended day one of the Invictus Games in Sydney, with Meghan opting for a slick white blazer, a bump-concealing black shirt, black skinny jeans and slingback heels, and her monochrome look is comparable to her first ever public date night with the Duke.

duke and duchess of sussex invictus games - Credit: Getty
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex attend the Invictus Games as part of their royal tour. Credit: Getty

Each element of her outfit has been given a swift Duchess-ify compared to the more casual iteration just a year ago. Enter a polished blazer, which automatically adds a luxe feel to anything it's paired with. Gone are the blue jeans, and in their place are a figure-hugging, smarter, black pair. Ballet pumps have been given the boot, too, with stylish slingback heels now her shoe of choice, making for an ultimately chic look that perfectly toes the smart/casual line. 

For their first engagement earlier in the day, the couple attended the Anzac Memorial service. To pay tribute to Australia's war dead, Prince Harry stood by her side, looking dapper in the tropical dress of his regiment, the Blues and Royals, and sporting medals. Meghan wore a button-through black midi dress, and the chic frock featured a nipped in waist, then flowed into a full skirt, perfectly skimming any signs of a baby bump before ending at a most flattering point mid-calf.

duchess of sussex anzac - Credit: Getty 
The Duchess of Sussex wears Emilia Wickstead to the Anzac Memorial in Sydney Credit: Getty

She accessorised with slingback black heels and a black fascinator by Irish milliner, Philip Treacy. The short-sleeved dress was a creation by British designer, Emilia Wickstead, and is the second time she's worn a British label while on tour down under.

New Zealand-born, London-based Wickstead has dressed a host of women in the spotlight including Gwyneth Paltrow, Emma Watson and, of course, Meghan's sister-in-law, the Duchess of Cambridge, who is very supportive of Wickstead, often choosing her pastel hued sheath dresses for public appearances. Kate regularly champions British labels, most notably, Alexander McQueen, so has she been giving Meghan wardrobe tips? Perhaps we'll see her sporting more British while in Oz? Here's hoping. 

Sign up to the Telegraph’s Royal Tour WhatsApp group to receive exclusive analysis of Meghan's fashion throughout the upcoming Royal Tour.