The Duke and Duchess of Sussex kicked off their Autumn schedule this evening at a gala performance of the hit musical Hamilton.
The evening marks the end of the couple's summer break: before the wedding of Charlie van Straubenzee and Daisy Jenks they joined Charles and Camilla at the Queen Mother's former Scottish retreat the Castle of Mey for a relaxing break. Reporter Omid Scobie said: "Meghan has developed a warm and close relationship with both Charles and Camilla. She particularly adores her father-in-law, who has been incredibly supportive." The Sussexes also enjoyed an idyllic four days with George and Amal Clooney at Lake Como, as well as time at their country bolthole in the Cotswolds.
They were both all smiles as they stepped out at the Victoria Palace Theatre.
Harry and Meghan were warmly welcomed by Lin-Manuel Miranda, who wrote the show's book, music, lyrics and starred in the titular role on Broadway. In addition to Hamilton, he is known for creating and staring in the successful musical In The Heights and is set to co-star in the upcoming film Mary Poppins Returns. Miranda's awards include a Pulitzer Prize, three Grammy Awards, an Emmy Award, a MacArthur Fellowship, and three Tony Awards. The star is also admired for his activism and philanthropic efforts. He met with politicians in 2016 to speak out in favor of debt relief for Puerto Rico, and raised funds for rescue efforts and disaster relief after Hurricane Maria struck the island in 2017.
More from the Mail Online:
Prince Harry founded Sentebale with Prince Seeiso of Lesotho in 2006 following Harry's gap year to Lesotho two years previously. The charity supports the mental health and wellbeing of children and young people affected by HIV in Lesotho and Botswana. Sentebale’s programmes of education and care provide the tools and knowledge this vulnerable generation need to live long, happy, healthy lives. The fundraising event follows a hugely successful polo match hosted by the couple last month which raised over £1 million for the charity.
Johnny Hornby, Chairman, Sentebale commented:
Harry and Meghan take their seats.
They sat with Lin-Manuel Miranda and his wife Vanessa.
They greeted other guests before the show began.
Hamilton is the Olivier, Tony and Grammy award-winning production that tells the story of America’s Founding Father Alexander Hamilton. An immigrant from the West Indies, Hamilton became George Washington’s right-hand man during the Revolutionary War and helped shape the foundations of the America we know today.
The score blends hip-hop, jazz, blues, rap, R&B and Broadway, and originally opened at the Public Theatre in New York in 2015. Later that year, the Broadway production opened and in December 2017 the London production opened at the newly re-built and restored Victoria Palace Theatre.
A peek inside before guests took their seats.
The New Yorker described the show as "an achievement of historical and cultural reimagining". The costumes and set reflect the period, with "velvet frock coats and knee britches. The set is a wooden scaffold against exposed brick; the warm lighting suggests candlelight". The musical is mostly sung and rapped all the way through, with little dialogue isolated outside of the musical score.
Miranda said that the portrayal of Hamilton, Thomas Jefferson, George Washington, and other white historical figures by black and Hispanic actors should not require any substantial suspension of disbelief by audience members. "Our cast looks like America looks now, and that's certainly intentional", he said. "It's a way of pulling you into the story and allowing you to leave whatever cultural baggage you have about the founding fathers at the door." He noted "We're telling the story of old, dead white men but we're using actors of color, and that makes the story more immediate and more accessible to a contemporary audience.
People reports:
Addressing the audience, Harry burst into song for a moment before thanking them for supporting Sentebale. The perfect end to the night :)
Lin-Manuel said: “The show talks a lot about legacy...Tonight, because you came to see a show, we’ve raised hundreds of thousands of pounds to make a better life for people through the amazing work Sentebale does. That’s part of the true legacy that we get to pay forward.”
Smiles all round after the show.
Emily Andrews tweeted: "Hamilton was AMAZING!! What a rollercoaster! It’s Meghan’s favourite show and I can see why! Harry & Meghan posed with the show’s cast backstage and they were delighted to meet them. Note Harry holding his wife close."
A video of the couple meeting with the cast. Meghan turns to Harry and asks "Can you see my love?".
Emily revealed Meghan told a cast member Harry loves the show so much he can't stop singing the songs.
Meghan selected the Digital dress by Canadian brand Judith & Charles.
The $595 dress is described as: "Double-breasted tuxedo dress. Peak lapels. Two by three front button closure. Two patch pockets at front. Lined." It's currently available for pre-order. The brand confirmed the look was styled by Meghan's friend Jessica Mulroney.
More on the background of the brand:
Meghan's Suits co-star and friend Sarah Rafferty with founder Charles in 2016. I imagine it's a label Meghan's been familiar with for some time.
Several ladies on social media noted the dress is reminiscent of a Felipe Varela design Queen Letizia has worn.
The Duchess accessorised with her £225 Shaun Leane Vermeil Talon earrings. Described as:"A strikingly elegant piece from the Signature Tusk Collection, these iconic double sided talon earrings in silver are the perfect balance of elegance and edge."
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The Palace added: "The five-metre-long veil is made from silk tulle and embroidered with the flora of the 53 countries of the Commonwealth, a reference to an important part of the Duke and Duchess's official work following His Royal Highness’s appointment as Commonwealth Youth Ambassador."
The Duchess added two of her favourite flowers to the embroidered decoration: Wintersweet (Chimonanthus praecox), which grows in the grounds of Kensington Palace in front of Nottingham Cottage, and the California Poppy (Eschscholzia californica), the state flower of the Duchess's place of birth, California. Embroidered ears of wheat, symbolising love and charity, are symmetrically placed at the front of the veil, which is edged with embroidered organza flowers. It took the team of embroiderers hundreds of hours to create the design, washing their hands every 30 minutes to keep the tulle and threads pristine.
On public display for the first time, Queen Mary's Diamond Bandeau. The beautiful tiara is formed as a flexible band of eleven sections, pavé set with large and small brilliant diamonds in a geometric design. The centre is set with a detachable brooch of ten brilliant diamonds. The bandeau was made in 1932 for Her Majesty's grandmother, Queen Mary, and specifically designed to accommodate the centre brooch. This brooch was given to the then Princess Mary in 1893 by the County of Lincoln on her marriage to Prince George, Duke of York (the future King George V). The bandeau and the brooch were bequeathed to Her Majesty by Queen Mary in 1953.
As Harry still uses his frockcoat uniform of the Household Cavalry (Blues & Royals), an identical uniform made for the Prince will feature in the exhibition. The uniform's single-breasted blue doeskin jacket has figured braiding of Regimental pattern on the stand-up collar and sleeves. It is ranked to Major with large gold embroidered crowns on the epaulettes. The trousers, officially called 'overalls', are made from a blue and black wool barathea and are fastened by a leather strap and buckle underneath the boot.
The exhibition will be shown at Windsor from 26 October to 6 January. Tickets are now available on the Royal Collection Trust website. From 13 June to 6 October 2019, the exhibition will feature at the Palace of Holyroodhouse. Tickets will be available from 1 November.
The evening marks the end of the couple's summer break: before the wedding of Charlie van Straubenzee and Daisy Jenks they joined Charles and Camilla at the Queen Mother's former Scottish retreat the Castle of Mey for a relaxing break. Reporter Omid Scobie said: "Meghan has developed a warm and close relationship with both Charles and Camilla. She particularly adores her father-in-law, who has been incredibly supportive." The Sussexes also enjoyed an idyllic four days with George and Amal Clooney at Lake Como, as well as time at their country bolthole in the Cotswolds.
They were both all smiles as they stepped out at the Victoria Palace Theatre.
Harry and Meghan were warmly welcomed by Lin-Manuel Miranda, who wrote the show's book, music, lyrics and starred in the titular role on Broadway. In addition to Hamilton, he is known for creating and staring in the successful musical In The Heights and is set to co-star in the upcoming film Mary Poppins Returns. Miranda's awards include a Pulitzer Prize, three Grammy Awards, an Emmy Award, a MacArthur Fellowship, and three Tony Awards. The star is also admired for his activism and philanthropic efforts. He met with politicians in 2016 to speak out in favor of debt relief for Puerto Rico, and raised funds for rescue efforts and disaster relief after Hurricane Maria struck the island in 2017.
More from the Mail Online:
'Speaking to Miranda, 38, ahead of the show, Prince Harry said: 'Guys congratulations in bringing it over here... Thank you for doing this for Sentebale. It means so much to us and it’s going to be a fun night.'
Meghan, who has watched the show on both sides of the Atlantic, asked Miranda: 'Have you seen it yet in London? Because I found it so amazing to watch how that plays versus here [UK] and the response is so different but everyone loves it.'
Speaking to reporters after meeting the royals, Miranda said: 'The prince’s sixth-great grandfather is a character so that’ll be fun and surreal for all of us. You don’t get that every day. You get heads of state, we’ve had some popular folks come see our show but you don’t often get a direct descendent of one of your main characters. They [Harry and meghan] said they were huge fans of the show. It’s a huge honour for me.'
The Duchess chatted with Lin-Manuel about how much her friend Abigail Spencer loves Hamilton. "We were born on the same day, same year, so we are so close". There's a very good video of the meeting below.
Meghan is a huge fan of the musical, it is third time she's seen it. In 2016, she joined her friend Priyanka Chopra in New York and in February she and Harry enjoyed a showing in London. Tonight's performance raised awareness and funds for Sentebale's work with children and young people affected by HIV in southern Africa.
Meghan is a huge fan of the musical, it is third time she's seen it. In 2016, she joined her friend Priyanka Chopra in New York and in February she and Harry enjoyed a showing in London. Tonight's performance raised awareness and funds for Sentebale's work with children and young people affected by HIV in southern Africa.
Johnny Hornby, Chairman, Sentebale commented:
'We are delighted to partner with HAMILTON for what promises to be a very special evening, raising funds and awareness for our work with children and young people affected by HIV in southern Africa.”
UNAIDS reports that globally, 1,700 new HIV infections occur every day among young people, and stigma remains a major factor preventing youth accessing lifesaving health services. Despite advancements in treatment and care, young people are lagging behind on multiple fronts — knowledge of HIV, HIV testing, treatment and prevention. It is in this context that Sentebale has developed a youth centred approach to impact the lives of children and young people across southern Africa.'
Harry and Meghan take their seats.
They sat with Lin-Manuel Miranda and his wife Vanessa.
They greeted other guests before the show began.
Hamilton is the Olivier, Tony and Grammy award-winning production that tells the story of America’s Founding Father Alexander Hamilton. An immigrant from the West Indies, Hamilton became George Washington’s right-hand man during the Revolutionary War and helped shape the foundations of the America we know today.
The score blends hip-hop, jazz, blues, rap, R&B and Broadway, and originally opened at the Public Theatre in New York in 2015. Later that year, the Broadway production opened and in December 2017 the London production opened at the newly re-built and restored Victoria Palace Theatre.
A peek inside before guests took their seats.
The New Yorker described the show as "an achievement of historical and cultural reimagining". The costumes and set reflect the period, with "velvet frock coats and knee britches. The set is a wooden scaffold against exposed brick; the warm lighting suggests candlelight". The musical is mostly sung and rapped all the way through, with little dialogue isolated outside of the musical score.
Miranda said that the portrayal of Hamilton, Thomas Jefferson, George Washington, and other white historical figures by black and Hispanic actors should not require any substantial suspension of disbelief by audience members. "Our cast looks like America looks now, and that's certainly intentional", he said. "It's a way of pulling you into the story and allowing you to leave whatever cultural baggage you have about the founding fathers at the door." He noted "We're telling the story of old, dead white men but we're using actors of color, and that makes the story more immediate and more accessible to a contemporary audience.
People reports:
'On top of honoring her American roots, the musical gives a nod to Meghan’s feminist beliefs.
“You want a revolution? I want a revelation. So listen to my declaration: ‘We hold these truths to be self-evident that all men are created equal.’ And when I meet Thomas Jefferson, I’m ‘a compel him to include women in the sequel!'” the character of Angelica Schuyler sings in the show.'
Addressing the audience, Harry burst into song for a moment before thanking them for supporting Sentebale. The perfect end to the night :)
Lin-Manuel said: “The show talks a lot about legacy...Tonight, because you came to see a show, we’ve raised hundreds of thousands of pounds to make a better life for people through the amazing work Sentebale does. That’s part of the true legacy that we get to pay forward.”
Smiles all round after the show.
A video of the couple meeting with the cast. Meghan turns to Harry and asks "Can you see my love?".
Emily revealed Meghan told a cast member Harry loves the show so much he can't stop singing the songs.
Meghan selected the Digital dress by Canadian brand Judith & Charles.
The $595 dress is described as: "Double-breasted tuxedo dress. Peak lapels. Two by three front button closure. Two patch pockets at front. Lined." It's currently available for pre-order. The brand confirmed the look was styled by Meghan's friend Jessica Mulroney.
More on the background of the brand:
'The origin of Judith & Charles is a classic tale of girl meets boy, and another of life’s enduring themes: sometimes great things happen when you least expect them. He was a charming Frenchman with an undeniable joie de vivre and entrepreneurial spirit. She was a talented young woman with an instinctive eye for fashion that combined both artistry and function. Their chance meeting on a Caribbean Island set the story of Judith & Charles in motion.
Each Judith & Charles collection is a deliberate fusion and contrast of Judith and Charles: feminine softness and strength are integrated with the inspirations of well-structured menswear. The instinct to design and manufacture eighty percent of the collection locally means we are both homegrown and supportive of the local economy. It also allows us to have full control over our production, pushing our strongest assets - fit and quality - to the forefront.
At Judith & Charles, we want to override any uncertainty women feel choosing or wearing clothing. We aim to facilitate the confidence, strength and comfort women need in the boardroom, at a first interview, or on a weekend. We continue this theme by supporting causes close to our hearts and women worldwide. We are proud sponsors of Dress for Success Montreal, an organization dedicated to the advancement of women in business.'
Meghan's Suits co-star and friend Sarah Rafferty with founder Charles in 2016. I imagine it's a label Meghan's been familiar with for some time.
Several ladies on social media noted the dress is reminiscent of a Felipe Varela design Queen Letizia has worn.
The Duchess accessorised with her £225 Shaun Leane Vermeil Talon earrings. Described as:"A strikingly elegant piece from the Signature Tusk Collection, these iconic double sided talon earrings in silver are the perfect balance of elegance and edge."
Meghan wore a new pair of 'Pump-It-Up' shoes by British designer Paul Andrew. They are part of the pre-Spring 2019 collection.
And Meghan carried a new textured clutch.
And Meghan carried a new textured clutch.
The Telegraph's review of Meghan's look tonight. I very much agree with this take:
'Since joining the royal family 102 days ago (who’s counting?) Meghan has been adjusting to a new way of life, and subsequently, undoubtedly, it has had an impact on her wardrobe. Neat sheath dresses, ruffly fascinators and colour-matched tights have all been experimented with, to mixed success.
But tonight, she wasn’t at a garden party on her husband’s family’s (literal) turf. Nor was she visiting a bridge with her grandmother-in-law, or attending a christening with her new relatives en masse. She was at the theatre - her passion, her home- and for the occasion, she dressed accordingly.
For anyone who was worried that Meghan had been entirely Duchess-ified since marriage, this outfit will serve as a palette cleanser, maybe even a reminder of the former style persona we used to know and like a lot. It was still an ‘appropriate’ dress for her new life, don't get me wrong. It’s smart and formal, business-like and black - all entirely inoffensive traits.
The message here was that the Duchess knows when to toe the line, when to follow the unspoken royal style rules, when to put on the tights. But she also knows when and how to push the envelope, just as we had hoped that she might. And tonight was a prime opportunity to do it.'
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Hamilton isn't the only news of interest we have to share. The Palace has announced a very exciting new exhibition which will certainly be of interest to royal fans. The wedding outfits of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex will go on display at Windsor Castle and the Palace of Holyroodhouse in Edinburgh in 2018 and 2019 respectively in a special exhibition 'A Royal Wedding: The Duke and Duchess of Sussex'.
Meghan's timeless Givenchy gown promises to be the star of the show.
More from the press release:
'The Duchess of Sussex’s wedding dress was created by the British designer Clare Waight Keller, Artistic Director at the historic French fashion house Givenchy. The Duchess chose Ms Waight Keller for her timeless and elegant aesthetic, and for the impeccable tailoring of her creations. The Duchess and Ms Waight Keller worked closely together on the design.
The dress is made from an exclusive double-bonded silk cady, developed by Ms Waight Keller following extensive research in fabric mills throughout Europe. True to the heritage of the House of Givenchy, the graceful lines of the dress were achieved using six meticulously placed seams. These extend towards the back of the dress, where the train flows in soft round folds cushioned by an underskirt in triple silk organza. One of the main features of the dress is the boat neckline bodice.'
The Palace added: "The five-metre-long veil is made from silk tulle and embroidered with the flora of the 53 countries of the Commonwealth, a reference to an important part of the Duke and Duchess's official work following His Royal Highness’s appointment as Commonwealth Youth Ambassador."
The Duchess added two of her favourite flowers to the embroidered decoration: Wintersweet (Chimonanthus praecox), which grows in the grounds of Kensington Palace in front of Nottingham Cottage, and the California Poppy (Eschscholzia californica), the state flower of the Duchess's place of birth, California. Embroidered ears of wheat, symbolising love and charity, are symmetrically placed at the front of the veil, which is edged with embroidered organza flowers. It took the team of embroiderers hundreds of hours to create the design, washing their hands every 30 minutes to keep the tulle and threads pristine.
On public display for the first time, Queen Mary's Diamond Bandeau. The beautiful tiara is formed as a flexible band of eleven sections, pavé set with large and small brilliant diamonds in a geometric design. The centre is set with a detachable brooch of ten brilliant diamonds. The bandeau was made in 1932 for Her Majesty's grandmother, Queen Mary, and specifically designed to accommodate the centre brooch. This brooch was given to the then Princess Mary in 1893 by the County of Lincoln on her marriage to Prince George, Duke of York (the future King George V). The bandeau and the brooch were bequeathed to Her Majesty by Queen Mary in 1953.
As Harry still uses his frockcoat uniform of the Household Cavalry (Blues & Royals), an identical uniform made for the Prince will feature in the exhibition. The uniform's single-breasted blue doeskin jacket has figured braiding of Regimental pattern on the stand-up collar and sleeves. It is ranked to Major with large gold embroidered crowns on the epaulettes. The trousers, officially called 'overalls', are made from a blue and black wool barathea and are fastened by a leather strap and buckle underneath the boot.
The exhibition will be shown at Windsor from 26 October to 6 January. Tickets are now available on the Royal Collection Trust website. From 13 June to 6 October 2019, the exhibition will feature at the Palace of Holyroodhouse. Tickets will be available from 1 November.
Following the displays, the Royal Collection Trust will make a donation to the Royal Foundation of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and the Duke and Duchess of Sussex. It promises to be an unforgettable exhibition. It was splendid to see high-res images of Meghan's veil, the attention to detail is incredible.
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Finally, Meghan's popular J Crew Tipped topcoat in Italian stadium-cloth wool is now available in sizes 00 - 24. The estimated shipping date for most sizes is 12 September. It's described as: "Made especially for us by Italy's Nello Gori mill, this stadium-cloth wool is inspired by the fabric used in old-school stadium blankets. It adds warmth without the bulk—and we've been using it in our collection every year since 2006."
It was great to see Harry and Meghan back in action in support of Sentebale. What did you think of the night and Meghan's look?