In Her Favorite Dress Designer and a Summer It-Bag, Meghan Markle Makes a Surprise Public Appearance

Meghan Markle and Prince Harry made a surprise appearance on stage yesterday (September 20) at the One805LIVE! Rock for First Responders benefit concert; another year of showing their support for the event, which raises money for essential equipment and mental health programs for Santa Barbara’s first responders.

For the occasion, the Duchess of Sussex opted for a failsafe, subdued, summery look from one of her go-to designers. Markle wore a Carolina Herrera sleeveless navy midi dress with a banded shirt style collar and pleated bodice and skirt, which tied at the waist and fell to an elegant, breezy tea-length. She paired it with a box-shaped Hunting Season raffia bag and smooth caramel brown pumps.

Photo: Backgrid

Markle has often looked to Carolina Herrera’s summery suite of floral shirtdresses, for casual daytime wear, red carpet events, and to shoot her Netflix show With Love, Meghan. One particular favorite is a plunging red gown that she wore to a 2021 gala, and had modified for another gala in 2024. Another yellow silk column gown was worn in her first public appearance after announcing her second pregnancy, and then again for son Archie’s birthday. On her Netflix series, she opted for a billowing striped shirtdress from the American brand, and a selection of floral and printed blouses. It’s a go-to for winter too, as Meghan has been spotted in seasons gone by in draped outerwear and sumptuous knits.

In life, post-Kensington Palace, the Duchess has shifted from HRH-inspired twinsets to a much more laid-back flavor of East Coast casual, with staples like breezy linen shirts and straight-cut denim the regular touchpoints for her day-to-day looks.