Meghan Markle’s recent visit to Nigeria was meant to symbolize cultural exchange, but it quickly turned into a fashion frenzy.
The Duchess of Sussex mixed throwback garments with messy looks, donning over 120,000 pounds worth of jewelry and new clothes during her whirlwind three-day tour of the country.
While showcasing high-end brands like Carolina Herrera, Altuzarra, and Joanna Ortiz, Meghan also made a point to highlight designs from local Nigerian designers.
However, the Markles’ decision to sport nine different outfits in just three days sparked criticism, with many accusing Meghan of turning the visit into a fashion show disaster and detracting from its purpose.
In an attempt to represent Nigeria, a country she now refers to as “my country,” Meghan incorporated pieces from Lagos-based women’s wear brand Aria and Santa Barbara designer Heidi Merrick.
But it was her extravagant jewelry that really added up, including Princess Diana’s 17,800-pound Cartier watch and a 15,011-pound Against Evil Eye bracelet from Lorraine Schwartz.
Calculating the cost of Meghan’s wardrobe for the 72-hour tour, excluding recycled pieces, revealed some eye-watering figures.
On day one, she wore a 450-pound dress from Heidi Merrick, a 1,273-pound white blazer from Al Azure, 460-pound trousers from Al Azure, a 1,450-pound collar necklace from R8, among other accessories, totaling 78,194 pounds.
The following day, Meghan spent 26,771 pounds on three outfits, including a 2,275-pound Tropicana and Knights Wolfson midi dress, a 335-pound strapless column maxi dress, a 265-pound dress from Aria, and various accessories.
On the last day, she pocketed 12,041 pounds from organizations for her clothing, bringing the total for the three days to 117,272 pounds.
For her final engagement, Meghan met with Forbes Help Ghana co-founder Derek Kibena in a brown suit, marking her ninth outfit of the trip.
The cost of this ensemble is estimated at 3,000 pounds, raising concerns about taxpayers footing the bill despite the couple’s desire for financial independence.
Critics pointed out Meghan’s disregard for cultural norms during the visit, noting her choice of attire as inappropriate and overly revealing.
Despite subtle hints from hosts to cover up, Meghan continued to flaunt her bold fashion choices, seemingly unfazed by the disapproving glances and discomfort of locals.
Some viewed Meghan’s fashion statements as attention-seeking and disrespectful, overshadowing the diplomatic nature of her visit.
Her insistence on wearing provocative outfits raised questions about whether she was unaware of cultural expectations or intentionally pushing boundaries for attention.
In the end, Meghan’s fashion-forward approach left a lasting impression, albeit for the wrong reasons, on her brief but controversial tour of Nigeria.