On her 37th birthday, Duchess Meghan celebrated the day in Surrey with Prince Harry and attended the wedding of Charlie van Straubenzee and Daisy Jenks.
The royals traditionally take their summer break in August and disperse to their country retreats for the month. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have reportedly been enjoying time in their Cotswolds bolthole over the past week. It is anticipated the couple will take a romantic holiday later this month. Afterwards, they plan to spend several days at the Queen's Scottish estate, Balmoral, before resuming their programme of duties in the autumn. Before all that, Prince Harry had the very special role of best man to play at today's wedding...
When the Duchess stepped out of the car she was warmly greeted. According to The Mirror: "Scores of wellwishers sang ‘Happy Birthday to You’ and called out ‘Happy Birthday’ as the Duchess of Sussex arrived at the wedding."
Meghan was accompanied by an elegantly dressed blonde lady.
Afterwards, she mingled with guests outside the church before the ceremony began. She was spotted chatting to Harry's cousin Celia McCorquodale and her husband George Woodhouse. Harry and Meghan attended the couple's Lincolnshire wedding in June.
The van Straubenzee family have a long history with the royals. Harry has been close friends with the groom Charlie since they were children at Ludgrove prep school together. Both William and Harry were Usher's at the 2013 society wedding of Charlie's brother Thomas to Northumberland Heiress Melissa Percy. Sadly that union was short lived, with the couple deciding to go their separate ways less than three years later. Thomas is Princess Charlotte's godfather. A third brother, Henry, who attended school with Harry, died in a car crash in 2002, aged 18. Several years later William and Harry became patrons of a memorial fund created in his memory. Harry and Charlie were very much known as 'two peas in a pod' and were often described as "eternal bachelors" until 2016 when Harry met Meghan and Charlie, Head of UK Financial Intermediaries at an advisory company, fell for society video maker Daisy Jenks. Indeed, Harry considers Charlie such a close confidant, he asked him to join William in toasting him and Meghan during their Frogmore House reception. According to The Sunday Times, Charlie teased Harry when he was acting as dorm monitor at their school. "All I wanted was a cuddle from my mummy," he reportedly said. "Instead Harry nicked my teddy bear and chucked it out onto the roof. Ladies and gentlemen, I ask you, how can you put someone in charge of a dorm when that someone is worse behaved than the whole dorm combined?" Harry will no doubt be looking forward to repaying the favour during his reception speech :)
Harry and Meghan with guests after the ceremony.
The royals have an incredibly tight-knit circle of friends, and the weddings of those friends provide one of the few opportunities to see them in a social capacity rather than on duty. Meghan has very much embraced those closest to Harry; it's been reported they love nothing more than hosting relaxed dinner parties for friends in the Cotswolds. It's the second wedding the Sussexes have attended since their own May nuptials; in mid-June Meghan accompanied Harry to the Lincolnshire wedding of his cousin Celia McCorquodale to George Woodhouse.
The wedding was held at the picturesque church of St Mary the Virgin in Frensham.
The church has been a centre of worship for over 750 years. It was built in 1239 when the earlier church near the river was abandoned due to flooding. The chancel is the oldest part of the building; the tower was added in the 14th century and the north aisle was built in the 19th century.
The happy couple were photographed after the ceremony. The bride looked stunning in a strapless floral gown. As to the the choice of flowers? A bouquet of daisies for Daisy!
The elated newlyweds made their way to the reception in romantically non-traditional style. It was a beautiful country wedding; the couple looked delighted, and of course it was a lovely treat to see Harry and Meghan today!
Meghan selected the $328 color-block Club Monaco Shoanah dress for the wedding (with many thanks to an Anonymous poster).
The pretty dress is described as: "A case for pleats. Hundreds of sharp folds and clean, modern colorblocking give even more movement to an airy dress. For breezing through the week and lingering in the weekend." As of writing the piece is available in most sizes on the Club Monaco website.
Meghan has long been a fan of the popular brand which was launched in Canada in 1985. The first store in Toronto still exists today. Today, the high-end casual clothing retailer is owned by Polo Ralph Lauren with 140 locations worldwide. We saw Meghan in their Sinthea dress for a special reading of the pilot episode of Suits at the ATX Festival last year. She wore their burgundy velvet Tay dress on Christmas Day.
UPDATED ID: It turns out Meghan's belt is the Miu Miu Knot-Tied Belt (with thanks to Anne).
Meghan wore a straw hat from Philip Treacy's SS18 Collection (with thanks to Perth Fashion).
Meghan wore her Aquazzura Deneuve Pumps. Made in Italy, the stiletto heels are described as "A pert bow perched at the back ties together the chic detailing of a pointy-toe pump featuring side cutouts and a super slim stiletto." They retail for $750 at Nordstrom.
The Duchess carried the Kayu Anna Straw Clutch. It's available at ShopBop.
Meghan accessorised with her Shaun Leane Diamond Tusk Bangle. It's also available in rose gold at FarFetch.
Vanessa Tugendhaft confirmed the Duchess wore her Parisienne earrings. Below, a photo of Meghan wearing them at the Queen's Young Leaders Awards.
And completed the look with a pair of Linda Farrow sunglasses (with thanks to Anne). A similar pair (with a clear lens) are available at ShopBop.
In a 2016 piece for The Tig, Meghan wrote: "My mom has always said that birthdays are your own personal New Year. Your own chance to make resolutions just for yourself and what you prognosticate for your year ahead." Her birthday wish? She reveals: "More surprises, more adventure, more opportunities to grow, more days filled with giggles and cheeky jokes, more delicious meals, and more inspiration. Always more inspiration." At the time Meghan was enjoying a blossoming relationship with Harry. She continued: “I am feeling so incredibly joyful right now, so grateful and content that all I could wish for is more of the same.” It's been quite the year for Meghan, and 37 promises to be equally exciting. The Duchess, who shares a birthday with the late Queen Mother, has much to look forward to as a royal; the coming months will be filled with milestones. Personally, it is very likely it will mark the year the couple announce they are expecting their first child. In her aforementioned piece for The Tig, Meghan expressed her wish for adventure. She is certainly on the adventure of a lifetime right now. Not only did she find her prince, but she's been catapulted into an entirely new life. Meghan's journey thus far has no doubt been an unforgettable one filled with wonderful moments, it has also presented challenges and painful days too (in no small part owing to the despicable behaviour of family members), but she's handled it all with aplomb and carried on. I'm very excited to see what the next twelve months hold for the Duchess.
Happy Birthday Meghan!
The royals traditionally take their summer break in August and disperse to their country retreats for the month. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have reportedly been enjoying time in their Cotswolds bolthole over the past week. It is anticipated the couple will take a romantic holiday later this month. Afterwards, they plan to spend several days at the Queen's Scottish estate, Balmoral, before resuming their programme of duties in the autumn. Before all that, Prince Harry had the very special role of best man to play at today's wedding...
When the Duchess stepped out of the car she was warmly greeted. According to The Mirror: "Scores of wellwishers sang ‘Happy Birthday to You’ and called out ‘Happy Birthday’ as the Duchess of Sussex arrived at the wedding."
Meghan was accompanied by an elegantly dressed blonde lady.
Afterwards, she mingled with guests outside the church before the ceremony began. She was spotted chatting to Harry's cousin Celia McCorquodale and her husband George Woodhouse. Harry and Meghan attended the couple's Lincolnshire wedding in June.
The van Straubenzee family have a long history with the royals. Harry has been close friends with the groom Charlie since they were children at Ludgrove prep school together. Both William and Harry were Usher's at the 2013 society wedding of Charlie's brother Thomas to Northumberland Heiress Melissa Percy. Sadly that union was short lived, with the couple deciding to go their separate ways less than three years later. Thomas is Princess Charlotte's godfather. A third brother, Henry, who attended school with Harry, died in a car crash in 2002, aged 18. Several years later William and Harry became patrons of a memorial fund created in his memory. Harry and Charlie were very much known as 'two peas in a pod' and were often described as "eternal bachelors" until 2016 when Harry met Meghan and Charlie, Head of UK Financial Intermediaries at an advisory company, fell for society video maker Daisy Jenks. Indeed, Harry considers Charlie such a close confidant, he asked him to join William in toasting him and Meghan during their Frogmore House reception. According to The Sunday Times, Charlie teased Harry when he was acting as dorm monitor at their school. "All I wanted was a cuddle from my mummy," he reportedly said. "Instead Harry nicked my teddy bear and chucked it out onto the roof. Ladies and gentlemen, I ask you, how can you put someone in charge of a dorm when that someone is worse behaved than the whole dorm combined?" Harry will no doubt be looking forward to repaying the favour during his reception speech :)
Harry and Meghan with guests after the ceremony.
The royals have an incredibly tight-knit circle of friends, and the weddings of those friends provide one of the few opportunities to see them in a social capacity rather than on duty. Meghan has very much embraced those closest to Harry; it's been reported they love nothing more than hosting relaxed dinner parties for friends in the Cotswolds. It's the second wedding the Sussexes have attended since their own May nuptials; in mid-June Meghan accompanied Harry to the Lincolnshire wedding of his cousin Celia McCorquodale to George Woodhouse.
The wedding was held at the picturesque church of St Mary the Virgin in Frensham.
The church has been a centre of worship for over 750 years. It was built in 1239 when the earlier church near the river was abandoned due to flooding. The chancel is the oldest part of the building; the tower was added in the 14th century and the north aisle was built in the 19th century.
The happy couple were photographed after the ceremony. The bride looked stunning in a strapless floral gown. As to the the choice of flowers? A bouquet of daisies for Daisy!
The elated newlyweds made their way to the reception in romantically non-traditional style. It was a beautiful country wedding; the couple looked delighted, and of course it was a lovely treat to see Harry and Meghan today!
Meghan selected the $328 color-block Club Monaco Shoanah dress for the wedding (with many thanks to an Anonymous poster).
The pretty dress is described as: "A case for pleats. Hundreds of sharp folds and clean, modern colorblocking give even more movement to an airy dress. For breezing through the week and lingering in the weekend." As of writing the piece is available in most sizes on the Club Monaco website.
Meghan has long been a fan of the popular brand which was launched in Canada in 1985. The first store in Toronto still exists today. Today, the high-end casual clothing retailer is owned by Polo Ralph Lauren with 140 locations worldwide. We saw Meghan in their Sinthea dress for a special reading of the pilot episode of Suits at the ATX Festival last year. She wore their burgundy velvet Tay dress on Christmas Day.
UPDATED ID: It turns out Meghan's belt is the Miu Miu Knot-Tied Belt (with thanks to Anne).
Meghan wore a straw hat from Philip Treacy's SS18 Collection (with thanks to Perth Fashion).
Meghan wore her Aquazzura Deneuve Pumps. Made in Italy, the stiletto heels are described as "A pert bow perched at the back ties together the chic detailing of a pointy-toe pump featuring side cutouts and a super slim stiletto." They retail for $750 at Nordstrom.
The Duchess carried the Kayu Anna Straw Clutch. It's available at ShopBop.
Meghan accessorised with her Shaun Leane Diamond Tusk Bangle. It's also available in rose gold at FarFetch.
And completed the look with a pair of Linda Farrow sunglasses (with thanks to Anne). A similar pair (with a clear lens) are available at ShopBop.
In a 2016 piece for The Tig, Meghan wrote: "My mom has always said that birthdays are your own personal New Year. Your own chance to make resolutions just for yourself and what you prognosticate for your year ahead." Her birthday wish? She reveals: "More surprises, more adventure, more opportunities to grow, more days filled with giggles and cheeky jokes, more delicious meals, and more inspiration. Always more inspiration." At the time Meghan was enjoying a blossoming relationship with Harry. She continued: “I am feeling so incredibly joyful right now, so grateful and content that all I could wish for is more of the same.” It's been quite the year for Meghan, and 37 promises to be equally exciting. The Duchess, who shares a birthday with the late Queen Mother, has much to look forward to as a royal; the coming months will be filled with milestones. Personally, it is very likely it will mark the year the couple announce they are expecting their first child. In her aforementioned piece for The Tig, Meghan expressed her wish for adventure. She is certainly on the adventure of a lifetime right now. Not only did she find her prince, but she's been catapulted into an entirely new life. Meghan's journey thus far has no doubt been an unforgettable one filled with wonderful moments, it has also presented challenges and painful days too (in no small part owing to the despicable behaviour of family members), but she's handled it all with aplomb and carried on. I'm very excited to see what the next twelve months hold for the Duchess.
Happy Birthday Meghan!