NZ Herald
  • Home
  • Latest news
  • Herald NOW
  • Video
  • New Zealand
  • Sport
  • World
  • Business
  • Entertainment
  • Podcasts
  • Quizzes
  • Opinion
  • Lifestyle
  • Travel
  • Viva
  • Weather

Subscriptions

  • Herald Premium
  • Viva Premium
  • The Listener
  • BusinessDesk

Sections

  • Latest news
  • New Zealand
    • All New Zealand
    • Crime
    • Politics
    • Education
    • Open Justice
    • Scam Update
  • Herald NOW
  • On The Up
  • World
    • All World
    • Australia
    • Asia
    • UK
    • United States
    • Middle East
    • Europe
    • Pacific
  • Business
    • All Business
    • MarketsSharesCurrencyCommoditiesStock TakesCrypto
    • Markets with Madison
    • Media Insider
    • Business analysis
    • Personal financeKiwiSaverInterest ratesTaxInvestment
    • EconomyInflationGDPOfficial cash rateEmployment
    • Small business
    • Business reportsMood of the BoardroomProject AucklandSustainable business and financeCapital markets reportAgribusiness reportInfrastructure reportDynamic business
    • Deloitte Top 200 Awards
    • CompaniesAged CareAgribusinessAirlinesBanking and financeConstructionEnergyFreight and logisticsHealthcareManufacturingMedia and MarketingRetailTelecommunicationsTourism
  • Opinion
    • All Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Editorials
    • Business analysis
    • Premium opinion
    • Letters to the editor
  • Politics
  • Sport
    • All Sport
    • OlympicsParalympics
    • RugbySuper RugbyNPCAll BlacksBlack FernsRugby sevensSchool rugby
    • CricketBlack CapsWhite Ferns
    • Racing
    • NetballSilver Ferns
    • LeagueWarriorsNRL
    • FootballWellington PhoenixAuckland FCAll WhitesFootball FernsEnglish Premier League
    • GolfNZ Open
    • MotorsportFormula 1
    • Boxing
    • UFC
    • BasketballNBABreakersTall BlacksTall Ferns
    • Tennis
    • Cycling
    • Athletics
    • SailingAmerica's CupSailGP
    • Rowing
  • Lifestyle
    • All Lifestyle
    • Viva - Food, fashion & beauty
    • Society Insider
    • Royals
    • Sex & relationships
    • Food & drinkRecipesRecipe collectionsRestaurant reviewsRestaurant bookings
    • Health & wellbeing
    • Fashion & beauty
    • Pets & animals
    • The Selection - Shop the trendsShop fashionShop beautyShop entertainmentShop giftsShop home & living
    • Milford's Investing Place
  • Entertainment
    • All Entertainment
    • TV
    • MoviesMovie reviews
    • MusicMusic reviews
    • BooksBook reviews
    • Culture
    • ReviewsBook reviewsMovie reviewsMusic reviewsRestaurant reviews
  • Travel
    • All Travel
    • News
    • New ZealandNorthlandAucklandWellingtonCanterburyOtago / QueenstownNelson-TasmanBest NZ beaches
    • International travelAustraliaPacific IslandsEuropeUKUSAAfricaAsia
    • Rail holidays
    • Cruise holidays
    • Ski holidays
    • Luxury travel
    • Adventure travel
  • Kāhu Māori news
  • Environment
    • All Environment
    • Our Green Future
  • Talanoa Pacific news
  • Property
    • All Property
    • Property Insider
    • Interest rates tracker
    • Residential property listings
    • Commercial property listings
  • Health
  • Technology
    • All Technology
    • AI
    • Social media
  • Rural
    • All Rural
    • Dairy farming
    • Sheep & beef farming
    • Horticulture
    • Animal health
    • Rural business
    • Rural life
    • Rural technology
    • Opinion
    • Audio & podcasts
  • Weather forecasts
    • All Weather forecasts
    • Kaitaia
    • Whangārei
    • Dargaville
    • Auckland
    • Thames
    • Tauranga
    • Hamilton
    • Whakatāne
    • Rotorua
    • Tokoroa
    • Te Kuiti
    • Taumaranui
    • Taupō
    • Gisborne
    • New Plymouth
    • Napier
    • Hastings
    • Dannevirke
    • Whanganui
    • Palmerston North
    • Levin
    • Paraparaumu
    • Masterton
    • Wellington
    • Motueka
    • Nelson
    • Blenheim
    • Westport
    • Reefton
    • Kaikōura
    • Greymouth
    • Hokitika
    • Christchurch
    • Ashburton
    • Timaru
    • Wānaka
    • Oamaru
    • Queenstown
    • Dunedin
    • Gore
    • Invercargill
  • Meet the journalists
  • Promotions & competitions
  • OneRoof property listings
  • Driven car news

Puzzles & Quizzes

  • Puzzles
    • All Puzzles
    • Sudoku
    • Code Cracker
    • Crosswords
    • Cryptic crossword
    • Wordsearch
  • Quizzes
    • All Quizzes
    • Morning quiz
    • Afternoon quiz
    • Sports quiz

Regions

  • Northland
    • All Northland
    • Far North
    • Kaitaia
    • Kerikeri
    • Kaikohe
    • Bay of Islands
    • Whangarei
    • Dargaville
    • Kaipara
    • Mangawhai
  • Auckland
  • Waikato
    • All Waikato
    • Hamilton
    • Coromandel & Hauraki
    • Matamata & Piako
    • Cambridge
    • Te Awamutu
    • Tokoroa & South Waikato
    • Taupō & Tūrangi
  • Bay of Plenty
    • All Bay of Plenty
    • Katikati
    • Tauranga
    • Mount Maunganui
    • Pāpāmoa
    • Te Puke
    • Whakatāne
  • Rotorua
  • Hawke's Bay
    • All Hawke's Bay
    • Napier
    • Hastings
    • Havelock North
    • Central Hawke's Bay
    • Wairoa
  • Taranaki
    • All Taranaki
    • Stratford
    • New Plymouth
    • Hāwera
  • Manawatū - Whanganui
    • All Manawatū - Whanganui
    • Whanganui
    • Palmerston North
    • Manawatū
    • Tararua
    • Horowhenua
  • Wellington
    • All Wellington
    • Kapiti
    • Wairarapa
    • Upper Hutt
    • Lower Hutt
  • Nelson & Tasman
    • All Nelson & Tasman
    • Motueka
    • Nelson
    • Tasman
  • Marlborough
  • West Coast
  • Canterbury
    • All Canterbury
    • Kaikōura
    • Christchurch
    • Ashburton
    • Timaru
  • Otago
    • All Otago
    • Oamaru
    • Dunedin
    • Balclutha
    • Alexandra
    • Queenstown
    • Wanaka
  • Southland
    • All Southland
    • Invercargill
    • Gore
    • Stewart Island
  • Gisborne

Media

  • Video
    • All Video
    • NZ news video
    • Herald NOW
    • Business news video
    • Politics news video
    • Sport video
    • World news video
    • Lifestyle video
    • Entertainment video
    • Travel video
    • Markets with Madison
    • Kea Kids news
  • Podcasts
    • All Podcasts
    • The Front Page
    • On the Tiles
    • Ask me Anything
    • The Little Things
  • Cartoons
  • Photo galleries
  • Today's Paper - E-editions
  • Photo sales
  • Classifieds

NZME Network

  • Advertise with NZME
  • OneRoof
  • Driven Car Guide
  • BusinessDesk
  • Newstalk ZB
  • Sunlive
  • ZM
  • The Hits
  • Coast
  • Radio Hauraki
  • The Alternative Commentary Collective
  • Gold
  • Flava
  • iHeart Radio
  • Hokonui
  • Radio Wanaka
  • iHeartCountry New Zealand
  • Restaurant Hub
  • NZME Events

SubscribeSign In
Advertisement
Advertise with NZME.
Home / Lifestyle

Meghan Markle on tour in Australia: What the Duchess of Sussex wore Day 1

By Simone Mitchell
news.com.au·
16 Oct, 2018 02:49 AM3 mins to read

Subscribe to listen

Access to Herald Premium articles require a Premium subscription. Subscribe now to listen.
Already a subscriber?  Sign in here

Listening to articles is free for open-access content—explore other articles or learn more about text-to-speech.
‌
Save

    Share this article

Meghan, Duchess of Sussex reacts during a ceremony at Taronga Zoo in Sydney, Australia. Photo / AP

Meghan, Duchess of Sussex reacts during a ceremony at Taronga Zoo in Sydney, Australia. Photo / AP

Eagle-eyed royal watchers were quick to spot that Meghan Markle wore one of Princess Diana's much-loved pieces on the first day of her tour Down Under.

The Duchess of Sussex wore the late Princess's butterfly earrings and matching bracelet on her first day out in Sydney.

Meghan, Duchess of Sussex reacts during a ceremony at Taronga Zoo in Sydney, Australia. Photo / AP
Meghan, Duchess of Sussex reacts during a ceremony at Taronga Zoo in Sydney, Australia. Photo / AP
Diana was photographed wearing the jewels during a trip to Canada with Prince Charles in May 1986, just after Harry was born. Photo / Getty Images
Diana was photographed wearing the jewels during a trip to Canada with Prince Charles in May 1986, just after Harry was born. Photo / Getty Images

Meghan and Harry are in Australia to do some Good Work with the Invictus Games. Which is all very honourable, but we're mostly interested in what she is wearing, because we are like seagulls: easily distracted by the shiny pretty things.

Advertisement
Advertise with NZME.
Advertisement
Advertise with NZME.

So let's hop right in and rip the threads apart, shall we?

Meghan and Harry got off their Qantas flight to a throng of media. She looked fresh as a daisy which is no wonder, because girlfriend was definitely lushing it up in First Class.

Their post-plane look was beautifully summed up in this tweet:

On the left we have what drinking water, applying a face mask, avoiding the sodium infused foods and meditating on a long haul flight looks like.

On the right is what Mad Monday looks like on a Tuesday.#RoyalTour Pic via: @newscomauHQ pic.twitter.com/jSVfdmZ4mA

— Jenna Clarke (@jennamclarke) October 14, 2018

Meghan accessorised her outfit with a couple of ring binders. Initially we thought this was to show that she means business. And if anyone points out that five minutes ago she was rehearsing lines for Suits, they will be smited with those ringbinders, which probably have some pretty important royal decrees in them or something.

But then the pregnancy news broke, and we all realised those cleverly placed binders were covering her stomach. Well played!

Advertisement
Advertise with NZME.

For her first official duty in Sydney (popping into Admiralty House — the official Sydney residence of the Governor-General of Australia, Peter Cosgrove, and Lady Cosgrove, to meet representatives from each of the 18 countries participating in the Invictus Games), Meghan wore the white 'Blessed' dress by Australian designer Karen Gee.

Britain's Duchess of Sussex arrives at Admiralty House in Sydney, Australia. Photo / AP
Britain's Duchess of Sussex arrives at Admiralty House in Sydney, Australia. Photo / AP
Meghan, Duchess of Sussex poses for a photo at Admiralty House in Sydney, Australia. Photo / AP
Meghan, Duchess of Sussex poses for a photo at Admiralty House in Sydney, Australia. Photo / AP

And wouldn't you know it, by 9.20am (local time), just after the first photos of her wearing the dress hit the internet the Karen Gee website crashed.

The simple white dress costs A$1800. It comes in three colours. Why not buy all three, eh?

The Blessed dress by Karen Gee. It's described as 'a timeless classic that will take you from day to night with ease.' It will also take you from financially stable to bankrupt.
The Blessed dress by Karen Gee. It's described as 'a timeless classic that will take you from day to night with ease.' It will also take you from financially stable to bankrupt.

It is nice to see Meghan opt for a lesser-known Aussie designer for such a big fashion moment (ie first pics post pregnancy announcement).

Discover more

Royals

Meghan's baby news: The key person kept in the dark

15 Oct 09:26 PM
Lifestyle

Aussies give first adorable gifts for Harry and Meghan's baby

15 Oct 10:45 PM
Royals

Meghan's royal travel advice: Touring, Zika, and flying while pregnant

16 Oct 12:10 AM
Royals

Prince Harry: 'You can't give flowers that big to my wife!'

16 Oct 05:36 AM

Karen Gee launched her label just five years ago with no formal fashion training, though she is a Harvard business graduate.

The mother-of-five who grew up in Rockhampton aims of offer women more control over the fits of their dresses through customisation and individual tailoring. This is her:

View this post on Instagram

Today was special 🖤🖤🖤 Thankyou to the Women of Westpac for having me and taking the time out of your busy day to hear me speak. I hope I was able to inspire you in some form or another to step outside that pesky little comfort zone. To be Brave, strong and have faith in yourself. Gratitude for the opportunity @moxeyjo and Melanie and these Roses are exquisite 🙏 So excited for the KG journey ahead ✖️✖️✖️

A post shared by K A R E N G E E 💎 (@karengeeofficial) on Sep 20, 2018 at 3:13am PDT

Meghan wisely covered her pristine white dress with a camel trench coat for her encounter with a koala at Taronga Zoo. This is a very smart move, as we all know those creatures can be unpredictable as all hell.

Britain's Prince Harry and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex meet Ruby a mother Koala who gave birth to koala joey Meghan, named after Her Royal Highness. Photo / AP
Britain's Prince Harry and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex meet Ruby a mother Koala who gave birth to koala joey Meghan, named after Her Royal Highness. Photo / AP

Shoe-wise she went for a beige heel that all our mothers would approve of.

Britain's Prince Harry and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex receive native flowers from Finley Blue and Dasha Gallagher, left, at Taronga Zoo in Sydney, Australia. Photo / AP
Britain's Prince Harry and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex receive native flowers from Finley Blue and Dasha Gallagher, left, at Taronga Zoo in Sydney, Australia. Photo / AP

She even managed to navigate the steps at the Opera House in them. She is a true pro. We'd have taken them off and flung them into the harbour by now.

We are also fighting the overwhelming urge to scream "HARRY, PUT A HAT ON" when we see pics of our favourite redhead swanning about in the outdoors without some protection on his bonce.

Advertisement
Advertise with NZME.
Britain's Prince Harry and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex walk at Admiralty House in Sydney, Australia. Photo / AP
Britain's Prince Harry and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex walk at Admiralty House in Sydney, Australia. Photo / AP
Save

    Share this article

Latest from Lifestyle

Premium
Lifestyle

Perimenopause is ruining my sleep - what can I do?

24 Jun 06:00 AM
Royals

Prince Harry’s email to King Charles after silence claim

24 Jun 12:38 AM
Premium
Lifestyle

The six signs you’re not drinking enough water

24 Jun 12:00 AM

Inside Leigh Hart’s bonkers quest to hand-deliver a SnackaChangi chip to every Kiwi

sponsored
Advertisement
Advertise with NZME.

Latest from Lifestyle

Premium
Perimenopause is ruining my sleep - what can I do?

Perimenopause is ruining my sleep - what can I do?

24 Jun 06:00 AM

NY Times: Evidence-backed ways to address sleep issues associated with perimenopause.

Prince Harry’s email to King Charles after silence claim

Prince Harry’s email to King Charles after silence claim

24 Jun 12:38 AM
Premium
The six signs you’re not drinking enough water

The six signs you’re not drinking enough water

24 Jun 12:00 AM
‘Turning into America’: Outrage at restaurant’s menu act

‘Turning into America’: Outrage at restaurant’s menu act

23 Jun 10:24 PM
Why wallpaper works wonders
sponsored

Why wallpaper works wonders

NZ Herald
  • About NZ Herald
  • Meet the journalists
  • Newsletters
  • Classifieds
  • Help & support
  • Contact us
  • House rules
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of use
  • Competition terms & conditions
  • Our use of AI
Subscriber Services
  • NZ Herald e-editions
  • Daily puzzles & quizzes
  • Manage your digital subscription
  • Manage your print subscription
  • Subscribe to the NZ Herald newspaper
  • Subscribe to Herald Premium
  • Gift a subscription
  • Subscriber FAQs
  • Subscription terms & conditions
  • Promotions and subscriber benefits
NZME Network
  • The New Zealand Herald
  • The Northland Age
  • The Northern Advocate
  • Waikato Herald
  • Bay of Plenty Times
  • Rotorua Daily Post
  • Hawke's Bay Today
  • Whanganui Chronicle
  • Viva
  • NZ Listener
  • Newstalk ZB
  • BusinessDesk
  • OneRoof
  • Driven Car Guide
  • iHeart Radio
  • Restaurant Hub
NZME
  • About NZME
  • NZME careers
  • Advertise with NZME
  • Digital self-service advertising
  • Book your classified ad
  • Photo sales
  • NZME Events
  • © Copyright 2025 NZME Publishing Limited
TOP