Meghan Markle has made a rare return to central London, and the reaction has been anything but quiet. The Duchess of Sussex met Nobel laureate Malala Yousafzai for afternoon tea at one of the city’s grandest hotels, and photos of the pair quickly spread online. However, it is the price of Markle’s outfit, not the meeting itself, that soon dominated the conversation. Social media users were quick to respond, questioning whether the look justified its price tag.
Meghan Markle’s $37K outfit on London outing with Malala Yousafzai criticized
Meghan Markle and Malala Yousafzai were photographed leaving Claridge’s in Mayfair. The Daily Mail reported that the pair shared a warm hug outside the foyer. It also said this was believed to be Markle’s first public appearance in the British capital since Queen Elizabeth II’s funeral in September 2022.
However, it was Markle’s outfit that has since drawn the most chatter. The Duchess of Sussex wore a camel Tove Studio coat over a wheat cashmere sweater from CO. She paired these with Ralph Lauren’s white satin Masina trousers in lux cream.
A black Chanel handbag, ivory and tan Saint Laurent Chris loafers and a Logan Hollowell diamond and emerald necklace completed the look. She also carried a canvas tote showing women in hijabs. The Daily Mail valued the entire ensemble at just over £28,000, or approximately $37,000.
That figure drew sharp comments on X. Several users said that meeting Yousafzai in such an outfit while posing for staged shots was “the ultimate contradiction.” Another user argued that nobody would wear it unless it was “deliberate, in order to attract criticism.” One netizen even called it a “DISASTER!”
The tea took place in Claridge’s Foyer and Reading Room. According to the source, both women appeared to stick to tea and mineral water, and protection officers accompanied them throughout. The meeting comes as Ravec, the committee overseeing royal and VIP security, is understood to be reconsidering Markle and Prince Harry’s police protection now that they live in the UK full time.
Markle and Yousafzai first teamed up in October 2020 for a virtual talk on the International Day of the Girl. Yousafzai said afterwards that they both believe “when girls have access to education, everyone wins.”
