Taking tips from Kate? Why Meghan has ditched her cross-body and bulky handbags for the 'elegant' clutch at official engagements - just like the Duchess of Cambridge
- Duchess of Sussex, 36, has adopted the clutch at recent royal engagements
- She adopted for an elegant box clutch by French designer Givenchy at Ascot
- Meghan had previously favoured cross-body bags and tote bags before wedding
- The Duchess of Cambridge, 36, is rarely seen without a clutch at official events
Since tying the knot last month, Meghan appears to have adopted a more regal style - including her choice of handbag.
The Duchess of Sussex, 36, has followed Kate in ditching her cross-body and bulkier handbags in favour of the more elegant clutch bag.
Prince Harry's wife went for clutch bags from French fashion house Givenchy at her recent appearances at Ascot and in Cheshire, as well as an envelope bag by Wilbur & Gussie for her first Buckingham Palace garden party.
Meghan had previously favoured cross-body bags and tote bags for official outings with Prince Harry, wearing designs by Scottish brand Strathberry for visits to Edinburgh and Nottingham.
Fashion experts have suggested that Meghan has been taking inspiration from Harry's sister-in-law Kate by adopting the classic clutch bag for royal engagements.
Meghan has been favouring the clutch bag at recent royal events, including at Ascot (above)
The Duchess of Sussex, 36, also carried a clutch bag by Givenchy during her first joint engagement with the Queen in Cheshire
Meghan adopted an envelope bag by Wilbur & Gussie for her first Buckingham Palace garden party, just days after her wedding
Celebrity stylist Rochelle White told FEMAIL: 'Before Meghan became part of the royal family, she defintely had a much more relaxed casual sense of style.
'Now that she is part of the royal family, she has to adapted her style to fit that. I think Meghan has taken some inspiration from Kate, but is putting her own spin on it.
'Clutch bags look much more elegant than her trusted cross-body bag and adds a more traditional, classic regal style.'
Meghan's choice of handbag has also proved to have a significant impact on the handbag industry, with the Strathberry bags she sported quickly selling out.
The Duchess had previously favoured cross-body bags, including this one by Scottish brand Strathberry
Meghan opted for a black and white cross-body bag by Australian designer Oroton at the Commonwealth Youth Forum in April
Meghan also carried bulkier handbags on her first official engagements with Prince Harry, including this bag by British brand Charlotte Elizabeth
However, while Meghan became the first member of the royal family to favour the cross-body look, it appears that the Duchess has followed Kate's lead when it comes to using a clutch bag for official royal engagements.
The Duchess of Cambridge, 36, is rarely seen without her trusted clutch bag, even during day-time engagements.
Experts have previously explained how Kate often holds her clutch with two hands in front of her.
The founder of Beaumont Etiquette Myka Meier told Good Housekeeping: 'When the Duchess is at an event, she holds her bag in front of her in both hands when shaking hands might be awkward.'
The Duchess of Cambridge is rarely seen without a clutch bag, including at daytime events
Experts have previously explained how she holds the clutch with two hands when 'shaking hands might be awkward'
Grant Harrold a former butler to Prince Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall, believes that Kate has adopted her signature pose as it's an elegant posture.
'The Duchess of Cambridge is often seen adapting a pose with her hands clasped in front of her with or without a clutch bag,' he explained to FEMAIL.
'This gesture is adapted by confident people and it is popular with presidents, government minsters and heads of state when they are standing in public.'
However, it is not royal protocol to use a clutch bag at official engagements, as the Queen often carries her trademark Launer handbag.
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