Meghan's hero handbag! Bride-to-be chooses a designer who made her first accessories while she was paralysed and couldn't move or speak (and it's not the first time she's championed a good cause with her bags)
- Harry and Meghan are making their first joint visit to Northern Ireland
- Meghan wore green skirt, white jumper and orange heels
- Details of visit were not released in advance for security reasons
- Couple are touring the UK in advance of their wedding at Windsor on 19 May
She's been careful to dress in understated outfits that don't grab headlines since taking up royal duties with Prince Harry, but it seems that Meghan Markle has been sending out strong messages - with her handbags.
Today the bride-to-be shunned well-known brands for her surprise visit to Belfast, sporting a brown leather handbag by Hertfordshire-based Charlotte Elizabeth - a designer supported by the Prince's Trust.
The accessories business was launched by Charlotte Elizabeth Jones, then 21, from her bed while she was paralysed by illness for a year, and couldn't speak or lift her hands.
Her choice of bag would no doubt win approval from her future father-in-law Prince Charles.
And it's certainly not the first time the former Suits star has used her accessories to champion a designer with an inspiring story.
On her visit to Cardiff in January she carried a bag from DeMellier London who fund life-saving vaccines for children for every bag sold.
And she's twice championed the small Scottish brand Strathberry who sold out of the bags she carried in Nottingham and Edinburgh.
Today Meghan, 36, shunned well-known brands for her surprise visit to Belfast, sporting a brown leather handbag by Charlotte Elizabeth - a designer supported by the Prince's Trust
For her visit to Cardiff in January, Meghan sported a handbag by DeMellier London who fund life-saving vaccines for children for every bag sold
The former Suits star has twice accessorised with bags from Strathberry to champion a small Scottish business
For her first visit to Belfast today, Meghan gave a nod to the Emerald Isle in a forest green skirt by Toronto-based Greta Constantine, worn with the same Victoria Beckham cashmere jumper she wore for her engagement photoshoot.
She teamed the ensemble with rusty orange suede shoes by Jimmy Choo and covered up witha $750 Mackage waterfall collar coat.
And she topped off the outfit with a handbag by Charlotte Elizabeth, a designer who set up her brand from her bed when she was paralysed by illness at 21.
'Like Kate who often gives a sartorial nod to the country she is visiting Meghan has opted for a green hue with the tailored skirt,' celebrity stylist Lucas Armitage told Femail.
'Meghan seems to be taking some serious style bits from Duchess Kate here, gone is her edgy style statements and she has opted for classic elements to produce a more conservative fashion vibe.
This entire look could have been put together from Kate’s pre-pregnancy wardrobe, the chic pencil skirt, the courts and a classic knit.
'The only hint of Meghan’s signature style is the casual leather bag.'
The couple have flown to Northern Ireland for an unannounced visit that follows on from high profile trips to other parts of the UK.
Meghan and Harry have been touring Britain ahead of their May wedding and the prince will introduce his fiance to Ulster during a series of events.
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle arrive for a visit to the Eikon Exhibition Centre in Lisburn where they attended an event to mark the second year of youth-led peace-building initiative
Keep the cold at bay like Meghan in a coat by Mackage
Meghan Markle and Prince Harry are attending their first Royal engagement in Belfast today and all eyes were on Meghan's outfit!
Our new favorite fashionista was wearing this gorgeous beige midi coat from Mackage that complemented her green skirt from Greta Constantine and jumper by Victoria Beckham.
Mackage is a brand we’ve seen Meghan in before but this coat is a new piece for the soon-to-be fully fledged Royal. However, in typical Meghan style it’s cut with a waterfall design that can easily be wrapped over and tied at the waist and finished with leather trim pockets. A coat like this is a total staple piece so snapping it up yourself may be pricey but worth every penny when you can wear it again and again.
If you don’t get there quick enough, be sure to shop alternatives via the edit below as we’ve found some fab options from Boohoo, PrettyLittleThing and Max Mara.
Meghan showed that she's not averse to recycling by re-wearing the white Victoria Beckham jumper she sported for her engagement shoot
The bride-to-be teamed her outfit with a cream waterfall coat by Mackage, a Canadian brand she's worn previously
In keeping with royal visits to Northern Ireland details were not released in advance and the itinerary was not disclosed for security reasons.
Their first stop was at Eikon Centre in Lisburn, for an event to mark the second year of youth-led peace-building initiative Amazing the Space.
The US actress began her UK tour with Harry in Nottingham a few days after their engagement announcement at the end of November last year.
Meghan and Harry's first stop was the youth-led peace-building initiative 'Amazing the Space'
In Brixton, the historic home of London's Caribbean community, Meghan and Harry visited a local community centre, then they travelled to Cardiff, with the US actress getting an introduction to Welsh culture.
Edinburgh welcomed the coupled who visited the city's historic castle and they also toured Birmingham.
Harry visited Northern Ireland last November when he opened a new ambulance station in Ballymena, County Antrim and also visited Belfast and Hillsborough Castle, County Down.
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