Meghan Markle’s secret message to mother Doria in Erdem coat dress REVEALED
MEGHAN Markle and Prince Harry arrived at a special event to celebrate the Commonwealth in the first appearance of the Duchess of Sussex in her new youth role.
Meghan Markle and Prince Harry arrive at Canada House
The duchess embraced her blossoming baby bump as she arrived with husband Harry at the Commonwealth Day youth event in Canada House, London. Meghan smiled to crowds waving Canadian flags as she stepped out of her Range Rover wearing a dark green Erdem coat dress and black stiletto heels. She finished her look with a black clutch and her signature messy bun hair style. As well as giving a nod to Canada with the choice of Canadian-Turkish designer Erdem, Meghan paid a touching tribute to her mother Doria with her choice of outfit.
The Erdem coat dress, a step away from her usual more casual style, featured embroidery bearing the same name as her mother, who lives in Los Angeles.
A spokeswoman for Erdem told Express.co.uk the appliqué was called “Doria beaded rose embroidery”.
Meghan is very close to her mother Doria Ragland, and is the only member of her family she still has contact with after the Markle family turned on the duchess.
Doria flew over to London to support Meghan on her first project as the Duchess of Sussex, when she launched the Together cookbook for the Grenfell Hubb Community Kitchen.
And Meghan and Harry paid a secret visit to Doria in a stop over during their Australasia tour.
A source told the Sun: “Meghan is a mommy’s girl — their special mother-daughter bond hasn’t disappeared just because she’s moved to England.
“Meghan will always come back to Doria, this will always be her home.
“They are forever in touch.
“And Meghan has been here to stay on more than one occasion since going public with Harry.
“I even saw him here once, but it’s not my place to say any more.”
Meghan was made vice president of the Queen’s Commonwealth Trust on Friday, International Women’s Day. Prince Harry is president.
The charity funds and connects young leaders around the world, and builds on the Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s work championing young people.
Meghan and Harry were welcomed by Canada's High Commissioner to the UK Janice Charette, and signed a visitors' book in the lobby of the building overlooking Trafalgar Square to mark the start of their visit.
The couple met young Canadians to talk about their experiences working in London in the fashion, arts, business and academia sectors, as well as young entrepreneurs,
Meghan and Harry then made maple taffy sweets with children.
Harry and Meghan were given a pair of tiny moccassin boots for their royal baby. The £43 (CA$75) shoes are handmade by indigenous artists in Canada.
They were also handed a baby grow with a maple leaf and some wooden sons and a hat.
Harry attracted laughs when he sniffed the shoes to smell the leather.
On leaving the event, Meghan was presented with a number of posies from children.
Meghan has a deep love for Canada after moving to Toronto to film Suits.
This afternoon Harry and Meghan will join Prince William and Kate, as well as the Queen and other members of the Royal Family for the Commonwealth Service at Westminster Abbey.
This year is the 70th anniversary of the Commonwealth.
In the Queen's message to mark Commonwealth Day the head of state has praised how the family of nations inspires its member states to find ways of protecting the planet and its citizens.
Millions of people are "drawn together" because of the collective values shared by the institution, the Queen said in her address to the 53 countries of the Commonwealth.
Speaking of Meghan’s new role with the Queen’s Commonwealth Trust, the organisation said: “In this new role, The Duchess will highlight the Trust's partnerships with young people across the Commonwealth, and in particular its work supporting women and girls.”
Lord Geidt, Chairman, said: “The Queen's Commonwealth Trust is thrilled to welcome The Duchess of Sussex as its Vice-President. The support and encouragement which Her Royal Highness will bring to the young leaders with whom we work promises to have a profound effect.
“We are enormously grateful to The Duke and Duchess of Sussex for this signal of commitment they are making to our work, helping The Queen's Commonwealth Trust to pursue its ambitions right across the Commonwealth and beyond.”
Nicola Brentnall, chief executive, said: “We are particularly delighted that the first opportunity of formally working together with Her Royal Highness comes on International Women’s Day.
“This squares perfectly with our focus on amplifying the work and contribution of those furthest away from power.
“Women across the Commonwealth and the globe often face the biggest impediments to success. So we are delighted to have our Vice-President’s support in helping others to overcome those obstacles.”
Later this evening Prince Charles and Camilla are attending the Commonwealth Day reception at Marlborough House.