Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, Steps Out in a £111 British High-Street Look Days After Wearing an Estimated £27,000 Ensemble — Photos

Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, stepped out in London in a look that marked a striking change from her recent designer wardrobe. But it was the details of her latest appearance that got people talking.

Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, has traded an estimated £27,000 designer ensemble for a much more affordable British high-street look, but her latest London appearance has sparked plenty of conversation for reasons beyond the price tag.

The Duchess was photographed enjoying a lunch outing days before she and Prince Harry were expected to undertake a series of charitable visits in Nottingham.

The October 14 appearance offered a glimpse of Meghan's return to the UK spotlight, with her choice of clothing providing a striking contrast to her recent wardrobe. And while some fashion watchers welcomed the more accessible look, others had a few reservations about how she put it together.

One commenter welcomed the Duchess's latest fashion choice, offering a refreshing change of tone amid the mixed reactions to her outfit. | Source: Instagram/hellomag

A London Lunch in a Familiar Neighborhood

Meghan spent around two hours at The Park, a New York-style restaurant near Kensington Palace, where she once lived during her time as a working royal. According to HELLO!, the Duchess met with her longtime hairstylist, George Northwood, and Sarah Corney, managing director of the London office of Sunshine Sachs Morgan & Lylis, her PR representative.

The outing was reported by HELLO!, which shared exclusive photographs and footage of Meghan around the restaurant. The publication also highlighted the location's proximity to her former home, making the appearance a notable stop ahead of her upcoming charitable engagements.

Meghan's polished yet relaxed outfit featured two pieces from Marks & Spencer, paired with nude heels from Jennifer Chamandi. The combination brought together British high-street fashion and a designer finishing touch, creating a look that was considerably less expensive than the one she wore the previous week.

The £111 Outfit That Made a Statement

According to HELLO!'s report on Meghan’s British-brand outfit, the Duchess wore the M&S Peak Lapel Tuxedo Jacket priced at £85 and straight-leg jeans costing £26. Together, the two pieces came to £111, excluding her Jennifer Chamandi heels, whose price was not included in that total.

The blazer brought a tailored element to the outfit, while the straight-leg jeans gave it a more casual feel. Her nude stilettos added a dressier finish, although that particular combination would later become one of the most debated aspects of her look.

Another viewer questioned whether Meghan’s choice of footwear complemented the overall look, adding to the debate over her styling. | Source: X/Royal News Network

The price difference was hard to overlook. Just days earlier, Meghan had worn an ensemble estimated to be worth £27,000 when she met Nobel Peace Prize laureate Malala Yousafzai at Claridge's, making the £111 high-street combination a dramatic change in price.

While the full cost of the October 14 outfit was not established because the heels were excluded from the calculation, the two M&S pieces offered a more affordable alternative to the luxury labels associated with her previous appearance.

Her Hair Also Caught Attention

Meghan's glossy hair was another feature that stood out in the photographs. Given that she was having lunch with Northwood, the hairstylist who worked on her wedding hair, the outing brought together a familiar professional relationship and a look that attracted attention online.

While some viewers focused on her outfit, others were more taken with a different detail in the Duchess’s appearance. | Source: X/vittoria

Royal commentator Nancy Sidley also shared photographs of the lunch on X, writing:

The remark added a layer of commentary to an appearance that might otherwise have been seen as a straightforward lunch with friends and colleagues.

However, the photographs and video became the main talking point, with viewers focusing on everything from Meghan’s hair to the fit of her jeans and the choice of footwear.

Social Media Viewers Disagree Over Her Style

Reactions to Meghan's outfit were mixed, with some commenters questioning the styling while others praised her appearance. On Instagram, one commenter asked, "Messy hair?" Another criticized the combination of denim and heels, writing, "Short jeans and pumps look cheap."

A more approving viewer offered a different assessment, saying, "Happy to see her style change...looking great, Meghan. ❤️" The debate continued on X, where one person questioned whether the shoes worked with the rest of the outfit, writing, "The stilettos don't work with the wrinkled relaxed cut jeans. Meghan's still not pulled together."

Another commenter kept things simple, saying, "She looks good." Meghan's hair received its own share of attention. One admirer enthused, "HER HAIR OMG SO SHINY! 😍"

On Facebook, however, some viewers remained unconvinced by the footwear. One commenter asked, "Were the heels absolutely necessary with jeans? Come on."

Another suggested a more comfortable alternative, writing, "She looks like she is struggling to walk in those heels. Some black flats would have looked great."

The contrasting reactions showed how one relatively simple outfit could prompt very different opinions. While some viewers preferred a more casual approach to the jeans, others appeared to appreciate Meghan's polished styling and glossy hair.

Meghan Has Worn M&S Before

The Duchess's choice of Marks & Spencer also recalls her earlier relationship with the British retailer. During her years as a working royal, Meghan wore several pieces from the brand that attracted attention and reportedly helped drive shoppers toward the same items.

In 2018, she wore a navy bell-sleeve jumper priced at £35 during an official visit to the Reprezent Radio station in Brixton, prompting a rush of interest in the affordable piece. Later that year, she chose an M&S Double Crepe Bodycon Dress costing £49.50 for the Royal British Legion Festival of Remembrance at the Royal Albert Hall.

Meghan wore this M&S Double Crepe Bodycon Dress to the Royal British Legion Festival of Remembrance at the Royal Albert Hall in 2018, choosing a high-street piece for the occasion. | Source: Getty Images

Meghan wore this £35 navy bell-sleeve jumper during an official visit to Reprezent Radio in Brixton in 2018, offering another example of her earlier affinity for affordable British high-street fashion. | Source: Getty Images

The retailer has also been connected to Smart Works, a charity Meghan supported for years. The organization helps women prepare to return to employment by providing interview clothing, giving the Duchess another connection to British high-street fashion beyond her own wardrobe.

Members of the royal family have frequently used clothing choices to support British designers and heritage brands. Catherine, Princess of Wales, for example, has worn labels ranging from Jenny Packham and Alexander McQueen to high-street favorites such as LK Bennett, Reiss, and Boden.

Meghan's latest outfit similarly brought a British retailer into focus, although the appearance alone does not establish whether her choice was intended as a deliberate statement of support for the high street.

Catherine, Princess of Wales, wore this LK Bennett dress during a visit to the Dame Kelly Holmes Trust in Bath, England, on May 16, 2023, highlighting her continued support for British fashion brands. | Source: Getty Images

The Outfit Comes Before a Major UK Engagement

The lunch took place on the eve of Meghan and Harry's planned charitable visits in Nottingham, marking a significant moment in their return to the UK. The couple was expected to visit the Community Recording Studio, the Himmah Hub food bank, and the Epic Partners youth charity.

The trip was set to mark their first official joint appearance since returning to Britain and would bring them back to Nottingham, where Meghan undertook her first royal engagement alongside Harry in 2017. Their planned visit comes against the backdrop of continuing discussion about the couple's status following their decision to step back as senior working royals in 2020.

Under the arrangement announced by Buckingham Palace at the time, the couple would step back from royal duties while continuing to maintain their private patronages and associations.

A separate HELLO! report on the couple's position regarding the "half-in, half-out" arrangement said a friend of the Sussexes claimed they had never agreed that they would not be "half in, half out" royals.

According to the friend, the arrangement had been decided for them, and the couple was comfortable continuing their lives as financially independent public figures.

The report also noted that King Charles III had reiterated the couple's private-citizen status in correspondence to public bodies, describing their charitable work as a personal matter undertaken in their private capacity. Buckingham Palace declined to comment on the Sussexes' latest visit, according to the publication.

A Busy Schedule Beyond the UK

Meghan's return to public-facing engagements comes as she continues to balance family life, her As Ever brand, and plans to explore acting opportunities again. According to HELLO!, a source close to the Duchess said earlier in the week that her diary was full, with her children, business, and charitable work taking up much of her time.

The source also said Meghan was meeting writers and creatives, reading scripts, and considering acting offers. The report suggested that the Duchess was interested in returning to her original career if a particularly compelling project came along.

The same report indicated that the couple was expected to undertake only a handful of joint public appearances over the coming year, while Harry could carry out solo engagements more regularly.

For now, Meghan's London lunch has provided an early glimpse of her latest UK appearance, from the £111 combination of M&S pieces to the designer heels and glossy hair that generated so much discussion.

With the Nottingham visits next on the couple's schedule, the photographs offer a preview of Meghan's return to the public eye — and a reminder that even a relatively affordable outfit can become a talking point when the Duchess steps out.

As we previously reported, Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, has been gradually returning to public life in England since relocating with Prince Harry and their children, with an earlier Cotswolds lunch alongside Ellen DeGeneres drawing attention to her celebrity connections and a small detail in the outing that sparked a lively debate online.

Some netizens had strong opinions about her famous friend, the outing, and one gesture. | Source: Instagram/pagesix

Her Country-Pub Look Was Polished Without Trying Too Hard

Meghan wore crisp white pants with a pale blue top, rolling its sleeves neatly to her elbows for a relaxed finish. Her white sneakers kept everything practical, while oversized sunglasses provided just enough duchess-off-duty glamour.

She left her hair loose around her shoulders as she made her way through the Cotswolds setting. The outfit looked fresh, expensive and completely appropriate for an unhurried Monday lunch without screaming that it had been assembled for one.

Still, Meghan was never likely to slip into an English pub unnoticed, especially once the identity of her companion became clear.

The former "Suits" star was there with Ellen DeGeneres, while Ellen's wife, Portia de Rossi, also joined them. Suddenly, an ordinary pub visit had become a rather exclusive gathering of celebrity American expats building new lives in the English countryside.

The trio appeared absorbed in conversation at the Three Horseshoes, a pub near the picturesque market town of Burford. It was also a particularly fitting meeting because Meghan and Ellen now share more than a famous friendship: both women have traded California for the Cotswolds.

Their lunch was not some accidental celebrity collision over the menu. Meghan, Harry, Ellen and Portia have been close for years, and the Sussexes attended Ellen and Portia's surprise vow renewal in February 2023.

An insider said Meghan and Harry "had a wonderful time celebrating Portia's birthday and the couple's vow renewal," adding that all four were "close friends." A video from the intimate celebration showed Meghan and Harry smiling among the guests as Kris Jenner officiated the ceremony.

Ellen and Portia had already been married for more than 14 years at the time. Meghan looked cozy in a gray coat, while Harry wore a black blazer and white shirt without a tie. The couple stood separately as they applauded and cheered, leaving the romantic attention exactly where it belonged.

Ellen Had Her Own Dramatic Reason for Staying in England

Ellen's life in Britain began with plans for nothing more permanent than a part-time escape. She and Portia originally expected to spend only three or four months each year in the United Kingdom after buying a home in the Cotswolds. That plan changed almost overnight.

During a July 2025 appearance in Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, Ellen confirmed that the last US election had persuaded the couple to remain in England. "We got here the day before the election and woke up to lots of texts from our friends with crying emoji [...]," Ellen recalled. "And we're like, 'We're staying here.'"

The former talk-show host told the audience that life "is just better" in the United Kingdom. Ellen and Portia were also considering marrying again in England.

She also addressed the toxic-workplace allegations that preceded the end of "The Ellen DeGeneres Show" in 2022. Ellen admitted that she could be "very blunt," but dismissed the wider coverage surrounding the controversy as "clickbait," according to the BBC.

Netizens Didn't Seem to Appreciate This Famous Outing

That history made Meghan's choice of lunch companion irresistible ammunition for critics. On Facebook, one person scoffed, "lol Ellen isn’t an a list. That is hilarious!!" Another was considerably warmer, writing, "Great to see her settling in."

Others were not feeling nearly as charitable. "One problematic celebrity hanging out with another problematic celebrity. That tracks," a commenter declared. Another added, "Associating with Ellen is like associating with Prince Andrew. Interesting move 🤔."

The criticism continued on Reddit, where one person wrote, "Not exactly the greatest people to hang out with if you don't want to be seen as a bully." Another questioned Meghan's priorities, commenting, "But didn’t show up to her husband event ? Lmao [sic]."

A third suspected there was nothing accidental about the visibility of the outing: "Such a specific place, date and time! Lmao she called Backgrid and/or People within MINUTES of this pub visit"

Yet Ellen's presence was not the only element being dissected. A small detail in the footage soon managed to compete with both women.

Meghan's Handbag Found Itself a Very Unexpected Handler

In footage from the outing, Meghan appeared to let a security guard carry her handbag while she walked nearby with her own hands free.

That accessory arrangement promptly hijacked the conversation. The Instagram comments showed absolutely no mercy. One person wrote, "FFS, can't even carry her own bag. what a joke [sic]." Another reduced the security guard's apparent role to three wonderfully cutting words: "The purse holder!"

A third asked, "Did sge make her security guard carry her purse? 😆👌🏼 [sic]" Someone else piled on, writing, "And her security guard is carrying her bag...😂 Tell me you need taxpayers security without telling me you need taxpayers security."

For some critics, the timing also appeared suspicious because Harry had an engagement of his own. "The same day that H have an event??? She never let him have the spotlight.. she always do something to steal his limelight [sic]," one commenter complained. Another kept the focus firmly on the accessory, asking, "Who is her bag-carrier? 🙄"

Meghan had only walked into a pub, yet the footage somehow produced a debate over job descriptions, security arrangements and whether carrying one's own handbag should be considered a nonnegotiable duty.

Her British Return Is Already Being Watched From Every Angle

On September 9, Page Six reported that Meghan had enjoyed tea with someone who appeared to be another mother at Soho Farmhouse, the members-only retreat in the Cotswolds. No photographs emerged from that visit.

"She seems to be starting to socialize and going out and about," a source said, explaining that "lots of the moms go to [Soho Farmhouse] to relax and unwind at the end of the week."

The 100-acre country club includes an indoor-outdoor pool, a spa and 40 guest cabins. David Beckham, Victoria Beckham, and Paul McCartney are among the celebrities known to frequent it, making the retreat a rather convenient place for famous residents hoping to unwind among people who understand famous-person problems.

And Meghan's gradual return to public life follows a much larger family decision. People revealed on August 19 that Meghan and Harry were relocating to Britain for an extended period with Prince Archie, 7, and Princess Lilibet, 5. The children began school there in September.

The family planned to establish a private, nonroyal home base outside London without purchasing a property, while retaining their residence in Montecito, California.

"Step by step, they want to be in the U.K.," a source close to Harry said. "They want to have the time and give the kids the opportunity to be here."

Their move will not restore Meghan and Harry to working-royal status. King Charles has maintained the arrangement reached after they stepped away from royal duties in 2020, leaving the couple to rebuild their lives in Britain without returning to official palace roles.

Queen Elizabeth's former press secretary Alisa Anderson predicted that the homecoming would hardly be effortless. "I don’t think they will be welcomed back with open arms," she said. "They will have to rebuild that trust and affection, with the family and the public."

Harry's lingering attachment to Britain helped drive the decision. Sources said he had struggled to establish a close social circle in California and continued to miss the friends and community he had known at home.

Meghan reportedly saw the move as an opportunity for Archie and Lilibet to experience both sides of their heritage. Her potential role in Netflix's "The Gentlemen," which films in the United Kingdom, also helped make the timing workable.

Meanwhile, Harry has professional reasons to spend more time in Britain as well, including his remaining patronages and preparations for the Invictus Games in Birmingham in July 2027.

For the Duchess of Sussex, this new English chapter has begun with private tea, a fashionable pub lunch and a distinctly celebrity-packed Cotswolds circle. However, the photographs also delivered a cheeky reminder that every element of her return will be examined.

Whether she opts for designer labels or affordable British high-street pieces, Meghan continues to draw attention with her fashion choices. And with more UK appearances on the horizon, her next look may spark just as much conversation.