Taking over Morocco, one modest look at a time
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle arrived at Morocco on Saturday, February 23 for a three-day visit, which ended on Monday, February 25. This marked the royal couple’s first trip to the region, and their last before welcoming their baby, which is expected sometime in April.
Upon their arrival, the Duchess of Sussex stunned in a red caped Valentino dress, the first of many winning looks during the trip. On Sunday, their first full day in the North African country, the duo helicoptered into the rural town Asni, to visit a girls’ boarding house. While there, they met with girls who live at the boarding house to be closer to their school so they can continue their education.
During the visit, Meghan impressed the girls with her French speaking skills, and even got a tattoo henna on her left hand, in celebration of her pregnancy. Her henna artist was 17-year-old student Samira, who has lived in the boarding house for the past six years.
After that, the expecting couple headed to the school where the girls from the dormitory attend classes. There, they got the chance to chat with the teachers, and watch a friendly football match. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex looked to be in martial bliss, and they held hands and shared several sweet moments throughout the trip.
That night, the couple switched things up as they dressed to the nines for a reception hosted by the British Ambassador to Morocco, Thomas Reilly, and his wife at the British Residence in Rabat. Meghan was glowing in a bespoke Dior kaftan dress, a nod to Moroccan culture. The cream-coloured dress hugged the expecting mother’s growing baby bump, and featured draped long flowy sleeves. She completed the regal look with gold jewellery and a Dior satin clutch.
At the ambassadors reception, Harry and Meghan met several guests, including influential Moroccan women, young entrepreneurs and disabled athletes. Thomas Reilly spoke at the gathering around the theme of the visit, saying, “Women have traditionally played a vital role in Moroccan society. A focus on improving access to secondary education for girls, especially in rural areas, and better vocational training for women is recognition that improved education, releasing a woman’s human growth and developmental potential, is essential for sustainable economic growth.”
For their last day in Morocco, the British royals visited the Moroccan Royal Federation of Equestrian Sports to see how equine therapy supports children with special needs. The couple looked casual chic as Meghan wore an olive green jacket from J.Crew over a striped Equipment sweater and Rag & Bone maternity jeans with black Stuart Weitzman ankle boots. They couple attended a horse grooming session and then watched a riding demonstration and met with the trainers.
After their visit to the stable, the couple got to sample traditional Moroccan dishes when they visited a cooking school in Rabat. There, the watched a cooking demonstration of children from under-privileged backgrounds learning to cook from one of the country’s top chefs, Moha Fedal. Meghan got to try a meat pie made with pigeon, which she said was “very good” before passing it to Harry, who has eaten pigeon before.
Moreover, the Duchess and the chef exchanged cook books – she gave him a signed copy of her Together cookbook, and wrote in it “Chef Mohar. Wishing you continued success and congratulating you on your incredible work in engaging the community in cooking. All the best. Meghan.”
Meghan gave Chef Moha a copy of her #Together cookbook.
She wrote: “Chef Mohar. Wishing you continued success and congratulating you on your incredible work in engaging the community in cooking. All the best. Meghan”
He gave her his book ‘Le Vrai Goût du Maroc’#royalvisitmorocco pic.twitter.com/BYPq1W9GVx— Chris Ship (@chrisshipitv) February 25, 2019
After sampling traditional foods, the couple went in for a wardrobe change before heading to the Andalusian Gardens to hear about youth empowerment from young social entrepreneurs. Meghan looked elegant in a white blazer from Babaton for Aritzia over a high-low pleated dress by Loyd Ford. She accessorised with oversized gold earrings, and sling-back kitten heels from Manolo Blahnik.
While visiting the gardens, the couple saw traditional Moroccan arts and crafts on display. Moreover, the 37 year-old Duchess visited the Zyne stall, which is a brand that creates unique hand-made shoes for women by women. They posted pictures of Meghan on their Instagram, which they captioned, “It was such a honour to present our social project to The Duke and Duchess of Sussex on their visit to Morocco and such a great experience alongside inspiring Moroccan social entrepreneurs.”
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The royal couple closed their three-day trip in style with a visit to the King of Morocco, Mohammed VI, at a royal residence. There they met with the King’s sisters, Princess Lalla Hasna and Princess Lalla Meryem, and his son, Crown Prince Moulay Hassan. The former actress wore a pattered blue chiffon dress from Carolina Herrera’s Fall 2019 collection. The floor-length dress featured a high fitted waistline and flowy skirt – all you need in a maternity dress.
This marked Meghan last trip oversea’s before going on maternity leave.
Media: Instagram, Getty
