Everyone has a certain look they associate with members of the Royal Family. For example, when you imagine Prince William, you likely envision him in a suit; unless the man is reliving his sports days, it’s practically all he wears. Once upon a time, Prince Harry was just like that, wearing some of the most boring suits we’ve ever seen. Eventually, though, things changed, and Harry became one of the most stylish royals in the world.
What happened, then? Did Harry disappear into TikTok for some killer fashion advice (been there, done that!)? Maybe he got a little digital help every now and then. However, we think there’s a simpler explanation: namely, marriage to Meghan Markle! She was already an internationally beloved TV and movie star when they first met, so she knew more than a thing or two about style. Looking back, it’s clear that she coached Harry on how to find his inner style icon. Don’t believe it, or maybe you just want to scope out the prince’s fiercest fits? Keep reading to discover the evolution of Prince Harry’s fashion!
Tailoring, then color matching
Prince Harry dressed a lot worse before he met Meghan Markle. It’s not like he was putting on cartoonishly bad outfits or anything. Rather, he did what most guys do whenever they need to go to a formal or other fancy event: he slapped on an off-the-rack suit and called it a day. The result is that he often wore suits that were too big for him, making him look less like a prince and more like a kid playing dress-up in his father’s clothing. Fortunately, all of this changed once Harry got serious with Meghan Markle.
First, he began getting tailored suits. He no longer appeared to be drowning in oversized clothing; instead, his clothes fit him perfectly. Eventually, he took things to the next level by color-matching with Meghan Markle. That is, when they went out to events together (like the Terrence Higgins Trust World AIDS Day charity fair in 2017), they’d wear similar outfits of exactly the same color. This is one of the easiest ways to look like the cutest couple in the room, and matching colors soon became a staple of their relationship!
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Finding a balance between regal and relaxed
While he’s had to fend for himself a bit more since moving to America, Harry was basically born with a silver spoon in his mouth. He was a prince and a member of the world’s most famous family. On top of that, Harry’s mother was insanely popular and still considered a beloved figure all around the world. For a young man, such an upbringing could all be a lot to process, which is presumably why Harry often looked so stiff and formal in his public appearances. This was him trying to look the part of a confident royal at all times.
After marrying Meghan Markle, Harry seems to have loosened up. She helped him find that elusive balance between regal and relaxed, and it really worked. Once, Harry wouldn’t have left the house without a coat and tie. Now, he still rocks the coat at all times, but he’s learned to pair it with sweater vests and other more casual items of clothing. It’s a really good look for him: sleek and chic.
Learning when to go all out
One of the fashion lessons Meghan Markle helped teach Prince Harry is that there are times when you have to take your fits to 110 percent. For example, Harry is accustomed to dressing like a dapper gentleman wherever he goes, and he’s usually the best-dressed guy when he goes to more casual events. That means that when he goes to a major event, he needs to find a way to go all out with his clothing.
A great example of this was when Harry and Meghan attended the Mountbatten Festival of Music at the Royal Albert Hall in March 2020. As the Captain General of the Royal Marines, Harry had to wear a bright red coat that had the potential to look a little silly. To keep that from happening, he leaned in and wore an entirely tailored outfit that still gave black-tie vibes and showed off his medals. Meghan wore a bright red dress, and their color-matching exploits turned heads all night long!
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California dreaming
We’ve been focusing on fashion, but Meghan did more than help her husband dress better. Thanks to her influence, he did something many thought impossible: he stepped down from his royal responsibilities and fled England for a new life in America. At the time, many wondered if it would be an intense culture shock for the royal. However, judging from his fashion, Harry has settled in nicely.
For example, just check out this photo of Harry cheering for the Dodgers during the World Series. He traded out his sweater vest for a comfy white T-shirt and even rocked a baseball cap. Sure, he’s still got a blue blazer on, but in most respects, he looks less like a self-exiled royal and more like a Dodgers fan eager to see his favorite team win!