Meghan Markle and Prince Harry made a surprise appearance on stage yesterday (September 20) at the One805LIVE! Rock for First Responders benefit concert; another year of showing their support for the event, which raises money for essential equipment and mental health programs for Santa Barbara’s first responders.
For the occasion, the Duchess of Sussex opted for a failsafe, subdued, summery look from one of her go-to designers. Markle wore a Carolina Herrera sleeveless navy midi dress with a banded shirt style collar and pleated bodice and skirt, which tied at the waist and fell to an elegant, breezy tea-length. She paired it with a box-shaped Hunting Season raffia bag and smooth caramel brown pumps.
Markle has often looked to Carolina Herrera’s summery suite of floral shirtdresses, for casual daytime wear, red carpet events, and to shoot her Netflix show With Love, Meghan. One particular favorite is a plunging red gown that she wore to a 2021 gala, and had modified for another gala in 2024. Another yellow silk column gown was worn in her first public appearance after announcing her second pregnancy, and then again for son Archie’s birthday. On her Netflix series, she opted for a billowing striped shirtdress from the American brand, and a selection of floral and printed blouses. It’s a go-to for winter too, as Meghan has been spotted in seasons gone by in draped outerwear and sumptuous knits.
In life, post-Kensington Palace, the Duchess has shifted from HRH-inspired twinsets to a much more laid-back flavor of East Coast casual, with staples like breezy linen shirts and straight-cut denim the regular touchpoints for her day-to-day looks.
Prince Harry and Meghan took to the stage at the event in honor of Santa Barbara county air support pilot Loren Country. (The Duke of Sussex served as a helicopter pilot during his tenure in the British Army on missions through Afghanistan). Harry has just returned from visits to Ukraine and the UK where he reportedly met with his father King Charles III. Both Harry and Meghan took the time to speak to other guests. Other notable attendees at the event, which is held on Kevin Costner’s Field of Dreams estate, included Oprah Winfrey and Rob Lowe.
In that sweet spot inbetween late summer and early fall, mother, mogul, marbled scarf maker Meghan Markle keeps it classic with her California casual wardrobe.
