Duchess Meghan wore a Banana Republic shirtdress to an Invictus reception

Yay!! The Duchess of Sussex attended her first event at the Dusseldorf Invictus Games on Tuesday night! Prince Harry looked so thrilled to see her and his whole energy changes when he’s around her. To be clear, Harry is always a charismatic man whether he’s with Meghan or not, but when he’s around her, he’s just glowing and happy. Meghan was glowing as well – she wore a very pretty Banana Republic shirtdress (which looks like it’s from a major designer) and very high heels. Tuesday night’s event was the Family & Friends part, cosponsored by Fisher House, a sort of family hostel organization to help family and loved ones stay close to wounded warriors when they’re getting medical treatment. Meghan made a speech too:

“It is so special to be here, and I’m so sorry that I was a little late for the party. Just like so many of you, we know this is about family and friends and the community that Invictus has created, that Fisher House has created, and so I had to just spend a little bit more time getting our little ones settled home,” the Duchess of Sussex said, according to Hello!. “Getting milk shakes, doing school drop off and then I just landed a couple of hours ago. I am thrilled that the first event that I can do with Invictus is here with all of you.”

“It is amazing, and I hear the week so far has been off to a good start — is that right?” she continued, as the crowd cheered. Meghan went on to thank the Fisher House for organizing the festive event, and revealed that she recently paid a visit to one of the foundation’s Los Angeles hubs. ​The Fisher House Foundation provides a home away from home for military and veteran families while their loved ones are hospitalized, and operates 94 Fisher Houses in the U.S., U.K. and Germany.

“I was fortunate to go and visit one of their houses in Los Angeles just a couple of weeks ago and I was so moved by everything that they do. As they understand, as you do, as my husband does in creating the Invictus Games, how much the value of rehabilitation matters not just as a solitary experience, but as a family,” Meghan said. “So I’m really proud to be part of this Invictus family with all of you. I’m grateful for all of you that are here. We’ve also received a few gifts from the Canadian team. We got a bracelet and on that bracelets they put the initials of one of the people who wasn’t able to make it here tonight.”

“There are so many people we know back home who are rooting for all of you, even if they can’t be here [with] you, they are here in spirit. Thank you, thank you also for this amazing band and we’re looking forward to such a fantastic week,” the Duchess of Sussex said, before giving another shoutout to Archie and Lili. “Have the best time, we’re cheering for you, and we can’t wait to bring our kids also so they can experience just how awesome this is. Thank you guys so so much.”

[From People]

I’m including a video from the Telegraph’s Victoria Ward, who seems to be in Dusseldorf for the games, weird. I thought the British journalists would have their hands full with endless Kensington Palace briefs about how William REFUSES to reconcile with Harry and how he would love to carve Harry’s face off and wear it as his own. Anyway, it’s lovely to listen to a princess who speaks clearly. No mumbling or jazz hands here. Harry and Meghan looked loved up and they were holding hands and gazing at each other adoringly. Almost like all of the wishful, bitter claims of their separation were far off the mark. Almost as if the other couple is in trouble and British journalists are Hector Porjectors.

Photos courtesy of Cover Images.

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67 Responses to “Duchess Meghan wore a Banana Republic shirtdress to an Invictus reception”

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  1. jane says:

    they look happy and well!!

    • AD says:

      Her blog is coming back for sure. How else can you reach the masses in a blog. When you wear affordable clothes that average person can afford. My 2 favorites are BR and JCrew. So she is on point.

  2. Anna says:

    MEGHAAAAAAN❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️ Ugh I saw so many incredible photos online, and I’m so happy she’s happy❤️

    • Sugarhere says:

      The Duke and Duchess of Sussex wore matching black outfits, which is what mature, responsible world-class philanthropist do in order to play an instrumental role in a project’s success without overshadowing it, by shifting the media conversation onto their designer’s choices 👏.

      We’ll all remember Invictus, how humane Harry has been soaring time for one-to-one conversations with the vets, and how gracious it Wes for a mother of toddlers to make herself available, despite the distance.

  3. Manda says:

    I think fisher house is like Ronald McDonald house for the VA hospitals. My mom stayed over night in one when my dad had a surgery

  4. She looked lovely and of course did her homework and visited a Fisher House to see and learn all that is involved so that when she spoke of that foundation she knew what she was talking about. They both always do the work.

  5. Princessk says:

    Whether she is dressed in couture or high street, stunning as usual.

    • Jan says:

      I thought Victoria Ward was Unable’s stylist, is the photographer Chris Jackson her husband?

      • Becks1 says:

        No, Natasha Archer is Kate’s “stylist” who married Chris Jackson. I’m not sure if she still works for Kate or not to be honest. Pretty sure Rebecca Deacon left a while ago?

      • Chloe says:

        @becks1: who is Rebecca deacon again? Kate and william have had so many staff changes over the years i can’t keep up.

      • Becks1 says:

        Deacon and Archer were her first assistants. I think Deacon was her first private secretary, she stuck around for a while (I just checked, 5 years, she quit in 2017). I always thought she was more of a glorified PA than a “private secretary” as the royals use that term. but after she left I think was when I think Catherine Quinn came on, so I think its clear looking back that there was a move to get Kate someone more serious on her team. And we all know how that turned out.

        I think Natasha Archer was the stylist/PA. And I’m using “stylist” fairly loosely. But if you look back at old pics of Kate with Natasha or Rebecca, they all dress the same way.

    • Josephine says:

      Her styling is fantastic and as corny as this sounds, I think a big part of the reason she always looks so good is that she is so happy and comfortable with who she is.

    • SIde Eye says:

      She looks amazing and just radiates happiness! So does Harry! I love when she wears shirt dresses. Her styling is impeccable.

  6. L84Tea says:

    Chic and professional as always, in both her person and the way she dresses, Love it.

  7. garrity says:

    I double-dog-dare Kate to wear a shirtdress unbuttoned that far down to a public event.

    I TRIPLE-dog-dare her.

    (Meghan looks absolutely amazing – classy, approachable, with a subtle, carefree flair. It’s so terrific to see her doing exactly what she likes with her looks.)

    • BQM says:

      Love the look head to toe. I would’ve preferred it not to be black given how she looks so good in bright colors. But that’s a minor complaint.

    • Mary Pester says:

      @garritty, but katey kins would wear a pair of inflatable boobs underneath, so she could say to everyone look I even have bigger boobs than Megan, and not just the tit I married “😂

      • garrity says:

        Yes – and I bet not a word would be said by the gutter press about protocol and propriety.

        (But we’d be here to remind everyone of Kate’s history with flying skirt hems.)

      • Jaded says:

        @Mary Pester…”and not just the tit I married “😂”

        You cracked me up with that!!!!!

      • Mrs. S says:

        No way! Boobs make you look bigger than you are, so no chance she’d want to add any extra.

      • AnnieP says:

        @Mary Pester….. I AM HOWLING!!!! “and not just the tit I married”

        I haven’t had that good a laugh in a while, thanks!

    • kelleybelle says:

      And stand and face an audience with a microphone in her hand actually! (instead of reading a “speech” she hasn’t seen or learned previously)

  8. SussexWatcher says:

    I’m loving all of the photos of Meghan (and Harry) from last night and today. Everyone is so happy to see her.

    Her speech – as always – was great and I loved that she had visited a fisher House in LA.

    • Anna says:

      It’s wonderful she went to an LA branch of Fischer House, it’s amazing how the tabloids and press didn’t hear hide nor hair of it. Likely because it’s doesn’t suit their narratives. But it’s so great she spent time there to learn about the work they were doing first hand.

      • Jay says:

        Yeah, I imagine there will be some screeching and gnashing of teeth in British tabloid offices today that Meghan was allowed to visit someplace undetected. I love that she always does her homework!

      • HennyO says:

        She and Harry went to the Fisher House Gala in New York in 2021, met with families of vets, but also visited recovering soldiers at the FH branch/facility there too.

  9. Mcmmom says:

    I like it when people of influence mix high fashion with attainable pieces – Michelle Obama was great at this. Meghan looks great, as usual, and that is a flattering cut on her.

  10. Ginger says:

    I love a Duchess that can speak without notes and genuinely cares. Meghan clearly loves Invictus and it shows. A lovely impromptu speech ( after a long flight). I’m glad she is there and enjoying herself.

  11. Jais says:

    So cute 🥰. The dress looks lovely.

  12. Layl says:

    Finally, the Queen is here!!
    I love that she wore her trusty Aquazurra’s
    #Meghan,QueenofAquazurra

  13. Beth says:

    That dress is currently on sale for about $50 at the outlet and I have to hold myself back from making an impulse birthday purchase! It’s so lovely and I keep telling myself “you don’t need it.” Meghan really knows how to pick clothes, I love her style.

    • BQM says:

      Splurge! If I wasn’t such a chub I’d go for it 😆 I love a good shirtwaist dress. THAT’S what Kate should wear if she wants to go with a simple dress and silhouette. Not the granny or 1980s looks. A shirtwaist is pretty timeless l

    • Kelsey says:

      Beth go on head and get that dress. It originally retailed for like $150. Treat yoself or you are trippin.

  14. Eurydice says:

    She looks amazing, wearing exactly what’s right to set people at ease. Vogue had an admiring piece about her and this dress (on sale for $70). But, she also pairs this style with substance by doing her homework. Go Meghan!

  15. Miranda says:

    I have the same dress! And silly as it may seem, I’m almost embarrassingly pleased that I own something that has the Meghan seal of approval (probably because it may never happen again, since although I always love her style, I have a wildly different body type and can’t pull off the same looks. But that just speaks to the universal flatteringness of a good shirtdress. Every woman needs one!).

    • The Old Chick says:

      I have a huge bust HH and can’t wear anything with buttons. Even with room in the top, buttons pull. Looks great on her. I’d love it in a pretty colour though. Black is a bit solemn.

      • Surly Gale says:

        As with the Old Chick, I can’t wear anything with buttons either…not because I have a huge bust, but because one boob points west and the other points east so no matter how I try, buttons always pull or else the top has to be so big as to look ridiculous. I’d love a shirtdress, especially if it has pockets!!

  16. Becks1 says:

    I LOVE that dress. I love shirtdresses in general, I just think they’re the perfect combination of vintage, classic, stylish…I just love them.

    I really want this one but it is sold out of my size in the black….I could get the white…..hmmm.

    Anyway Meghan looked so happy to be there, Harry looked beyond happy she was there, the speech was great – more good times ahead from Invictus! This may be my favorite IG yet (to follow from afar, lol.)

  17. Tessa says:

    Great couple. Inspirational. Meghan looks fabulous.

  18. MsIam says:

    She looks very elegant, lovely and dare I say regal. At the last games the derangers and the trashloids were attacking her for wearing expensive clothes because you know Meghan is not allowed to do that (according to them). I wonder what they will complain about this time, not that anyone should care how they feel. Keep showing them the back of your head Meghan and hold your head up high!

  19. The Old Chick says:

    So exciting to see her there. I saw a reference on insta to the Fail’s ‘body language experts’ saying how they wanted to look in love or some guff. They ARE in love, unlike the other two.

  20. sparrow says:

    Unflattering dress imo -it pulls at the bust and the belt rides up because of her body shape. Yes, OK shoot me down. But this isn’t the point. Kate is only what she looks like. Whereas what Meghan wears is largely the least important thing about her. She’s a beautiful woman, but apart from that it’s what she does that interests me. She is such a good communicator because she wants to communicate about her work. Can anyone remember the purpose of Kate’s visit yesterday? Not many. Whereas i can’t be alone in understanding exactly what Meghan’s doing here and why. Good for them both. Looking happy and purposeful. (Comparing both of them only because it’s the framing of the media’s obsesson, and therefore worth saying. Meghan’s a do-er; proud if my kids emulated her.)

    • Anna says:

      I have a similar body type to Meghan and I cannot pull off a shirt dress for the life of me😅 If I don’t put a belt on, I look like a blob, and if I do put a belt on, it does tend to ride up, sigh.

    • Taytanish says:

      TBH any shirt dress will pull at the buttons unless you wear it a size bigger. But I guess Meg wanted a fitting shirt. Also, for people like ne with shirt torso, belts tend to kind of ride high because of where our waists are situated in proportions to our bodies. But honestly, these are very minor things, Meg looked fabulous even with the tiny pulling of one or a couple of buttons. And I loved every bit of her speech, both her and her husband are such beautiful thoughtful souls IMVHO. Personally, I don’t compare KKKHate with Meg because I rarely listen to anything McButton related, rarely read any posts about her and I can’t stomach the stuff written by those British tabloids, so I care very little next to nothing about those folks.
      Meghan arriving to Invictus added a little more excitement to the even. It was very clear that Harry missed his wife a bunch and her arrival made him a very happy man. Bless these two lovely people and all their collective teams, everywhere in the world, for everything that they are and stand for.

  21. hangonamin says:

    Great speech and she’s just a natural at speaking. You can tell she knows how to captivate an audience and get a message across. The dress…hmm it’s ok. Idk I don’t love it. The fit is fine but just kind of boring and bland in black. I also think the belt is throwing me…it looks v cheap. Not like her usual quiet luxury but guess she’s going for accessibility here!

  22. ChillinginDC says:

    Great speech and the outfit was the right one for the venue she’s in and who she’s talking to. Which is why it pains me when the Royals overdress for things.

  23. Brassy Rebel says:

    Wait. She said all that without notes? And was coherent. Maybe Kate will now feel forced to take speaking lessons. Silly me! What am I thinking? Kate only cosplays Meghan’s style not her substance.

  24. Harper says:

    I loved the dress on her and how it seems she coordinated her and Harry’s looks last night.

  25. Amy Bee says:

    Meghan looked lovely and Harry looked very happy that she was there. As for the British press not only is the Telegraph there but the Sunday royal correspondent is there as well. You would think with the Wales working so hard this week that they would be trailing them rather than the irrelevant non-working royals.

  26. CJT says:

    It will be very interesting how Kate tries to replicate this look. 😂

  27. Chantal says:

    I guess there really was a layover. The derangers and BM swore up and down that she would never set foot on UK soil again:
    Meghan during her London layover – hi a-holes, bye a-holes…

    She looks gorgeous as usual. I loved the various photos of the Sussexes looking so happy. I saw where the BM was crying when Meghan hugged the woman from Nigeria. I suspect there was much wailing and gnashing of teeth. My pettiness wants Meghan to wear a shirt that says 43% Nigerian ancestry the rest of the week and send Salt Isle a barrel of smelling salts for when they inevitably get the vapors after seeing it 😂 But she’s far too classy and is undoubtedly cheering for all of the competitors. I hope everyone really enjoys the rest of their time there (except the RRs – they can kick rocks).

    • one of the marys says:

      My take on your Nigerian shirt suggestion, for example, is Meghan is firmly facing forward and it’s not worth the aggravation. I like to think that in private she hears about these suggestions and occasionally has a good cackle at the delicious revenge and pettiness of it all. God she could fell them all with one appearance.

  28. Mary Pester says:

    THAT is the way you make a REAL full of empathy and knowledge speech KATE. Hope someone videos it for you and Megan wasn’t even waggling “damaged 😂😂yeah right” fingers around, oh, and it was ALL her own hair 😂

  29. QuiteContrary says:

    She looks amazing. She somehow manages to look elegant and chic — and approachable. That’s hard to pull off!

    Her speech was lovely. And Harry looks thrilled to have her there. So happy they have each other, and so happy the Invictus family has them.

  30. JJ says:

    You’re absolutely right about Harry’s energy when Meghan is by his side. He is BEAMING! This is a man who loves his wife so much and that is what enrages the haters so much. To the haters: Harry loves Meghan. He is not leaving Meghan. Deal with it.

  31. Well Wisher says:

    As usual. simple, elegant, beautiful……..
    Substance over style…..
    One cannot buy style nor substance…
    One either have them or not……..

  32. Peanut Butter says:

    I love that dress on her! I wonder if we’ll see someone xeroxing that look in the next couple of months? 🙄

  33. AC says:

    I’ve always loved Banana Republic simple and classic styles. She looked gorgeous yesterday and the dress suits her well. Her dress is from BR factory(their brand from their outlet stores) and it makes it even feel she’s like everyone else. She never misses with her style – it’s so California cool 😊.
    Agree with her speech yesterday, I mean she was the best public speaker that the BRF “had”.

  34. L4Frimaire says:

    Seeing so many wonderful pictures of them so far. I admit I went and bought the Banana Republic dress. It looks so good on her. There definitely is additional energy at the games with her there and she’s right in the mix cheering everyone on. Harry looks pleased as punch.The time difference is making it difficult to see the competitions live but trying to get the recaps. Loving Meghan’s looks so far. Sticking mostly to the black and white wardrobe, with very accessible styles and refined high end accessories.

  35. blunt talker says:

    They both looked relaxed and in their element-they do a very good job of making this event meaningful to the vets with injuries-their presence has a happy and calming atmosphere. I truly love them and their family-Lilibet and Archie.

  36. Bean says:

    Not even Banana Republic. Banana Republic FACTORY. I almost bought this last week.