Meghan Markle’s recent tour of Nigeria was as much a fashion runway as it was a diplomatic mission, each outfit choice sparking debates and headlines. Her series of shoulder-baring dresses not only turned heads but also stirred controversy.
During her recent tour of Nigeria, Meghan Markle stirred significant public and media attention. This was not just for her engagements but also for her daring fashion choices.
Meghan is known for her modern and often bold style. Her choice of shoulder-baring dresses throughout the visit sparked a series of controversies and debates on social media.
From traditional settings to formal events, her wardrobe was critiqued for both its style and appropriateness. This article delves into the five specific dresses that became the focal points of this fashion controversy.
Meghan’s first dress was worn at a school visit. She wore a Heidi Merrick Windsor gown, characterized by its backless design and tiered skirt. She accessorized with an Ariel Gordon Diamond Hex tennis bracelet, a Cartier love bracelet, Emme Parsons shoes, and a Tank Française watch by Cartier.
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle visit the Lightway Academy in Abuja, Nigeria as part of celebrations for the Invictus Games anniversary on May 10, 2024. | Source: Getty Images
The dress was quickly noted for its casual and revealing style. Critics pointed out, “Lady, you are not at a cocktail party. This is a children’s school,” and “Who dresses in a backless dress to a school visit 🤔 yessss a yacht girl 😂😂😂.“
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle visit the Lightway Academy in Abuja, Nigeria as part of the celebrations for the Invictus Games anniversary on May 10, 2024. | Source: Getty Images
Additionally, the dress’s inappropriateness in a conservative setting drew further backlash. Meghan received comments like “Sleeveless and backless slinky dress to a school visit where modesty is expected. A country with half the population Muslim and she rocks up half naked flesh exposed. Seriously.” and “Wrinkled, ill-fitting dress. Unkempt, as usual.”
Meghan Markle visits the Lightway Academy in Abuja, Nigeria as part of celebrations of Invictus Games anniversary on May 10, 2024. | Source: Getty Images
Meghan wore her second dress during a more casual outing. The Johanna Ortiz dress is noted for its structured design and palm tree leaf patterns. She paired this with Emme Parsons Cecelia shoes and a variety of accessories including a Cartier love bracelet, a Diamond Hex tennis bracelet, Jennifer Meyer earrings, Heidi Merrick sunglasses, and a Lorraine Schwartz diamond pave bracelet.
Meghan Markle and Prince Harry attend a sitting volleyball match for the charity, Nigeria Unconquered, in Abuja, Nigeria on May 11, 2024 | Source: Getty Images
Her appearance prompted comments on her physical appearance, such as “Megan looks extremely skinny😮” and “Crazy skinny,” with a mix of concern and admiration, “Love [her] dress but she lost too much weight.” Others called the outfit “So inappropriate.“
Meghan Markle attends a sitting volleyball match for the charity, Nigeria Unconquered, in Abuja, Nigeria on May 11, 2024 | Source: Getty Images
The third dress appeared at a formal event. Meghan chose a St. Agni creation, this time a tube dress which was met with harsh criticism. With this look, she wore vintage Christian Dior earrings and nude Aquazurra sandals to match her Cartier bracelet and watch. She also donned her Diamond Hex tennis bracelet and diamond pave bracelet again.
Meghan Markle and Prince Harry at a Sit Out at the Nigerian Defence Headquarters in Abuja on May 11, 2024 | Source: Getty Images
This time, Meghan received backlash for failing to respect local cultural norms. Observations like “Disrespectful wardrobe for the culture” and “She is too old to keep showing off her shoulders & back” were common. The phrases “Who wears a tub dress to an occasion like this. No respect for their culture” and “Lol Tub dress….no respect at all.” were also written on a social media post showing her outfit.
Meghan Markle and Prince Harry at a Sit Out at the Nigerian Defence Headquarters in Abuja on May 11, 2024 | Source: Getty Images
Meghan wore her fourth dress, a clingy ORÍRÉ midi dress with a ruffled bottom, to a speaking engagement. She paired this with Aquazurra sandals, Kimaï hooped earrings, and a Logan Hollowell necklace to match her Cartier and Ariel Gordon accessories. The outfit was critiqued for its fit and casualness.
This led to comments such as “Dressed inappropriately” and “Put some clothes on miss.” Visible undergarments were also pointed out. This added to the unfavorable reception, “She still hasn’t learned to wear a shaper under her clingy clothes. You can see her underwear lines!!” Another user lamented, “She looks like she is going to a yacht to entertain guests, lol.“
Meghan Markle on stage at a Women in Leadership event co-hosted with Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala on May 11, 2024 in Abuja, Nigeria | Source: Getty Images
The fifth dress was seen at a State Dinner. In contrast to her previous outfits, Meghan’s Carolina Herrera silk overlay column gown received positive feedback during the state dinner. She paired the look with all of her previously mentioned wrist accessories and added an Aurate necklace to the mix.
Meghan Markle and Prince Harry at the State Governor House in Lagos on May 12, 2024 | Source: Getty Images
The elegant yellow gown was complimented with remarks like “Thank god someone had got her an appropriate dress much better. Has been a complete cringe fest!” and “Meghan looks lovely in yellow.“
One netizen also tweeted, “Meghan is so beautiful her outfits are so perfect 🤩 anyone on here posting anything negative is just jealous.“
Nigeria Chief of Defense Staff Christopher Musa, his wife Lilian Musa, Lagos State Governor wife, Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu, Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Prince Harry, and Meghan Markle at the State Governor House in Lagos on May 12, 2024 | Source: Getty Images
There were also speculations about her possible pregnancy, with one writing, “Is she going to announce she’s pregnant in this dress?” Another fan simply asked, “Is she pregnant again?“
Meghan Markle and Prince Harry at the State Governor House in Lagos on May 12, 2024 | Source: Getty Images
Meghan’s fashion choices during her Nigerian tour became a significant focal point of discussion. Each of the five shoulder-baring dresses she wore not only showcased her personal style but also ignited conversations about cultural sensitivity, appropriateness, and the expectations placed on figures in the public eye while abroad.
Meghan Markle and Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu at the State Governor House in Lagos on May 12, 2024 | Source: Getty Images
While all eyes were on Meghan during her Nigerian trip, it was just days before that fans were focused on her and her husband together in the United Kingdom. We previously reported that Meghan and Prince Harry briefly reunited in his home country before she set off for Nigeria.
The secretive meet-up of Prince Harry and Meghan occurred at Heathrow Airport’s VIP Windsor Suite, where Meghan landed solo from Los Angeles before joining Harry, who had been in the UK since Tuesday.
The couple’s brief rendezvous was so discreet that only Harry was pictured at the airport when flying out of the UK. This sparked a flurry of reactions across social media platforms, with the online community chiming in with diverse opinions.
One user sarcastically remarked, “Pathetic and strategic.” Another echoed, “Acting like they are royalty.” A tweet also read, “Meghan met up with Harry at the Heathrow airport lmaoo [sic] I love this.”
Another reaction on Twitter noted, “#HarryandMeghaninNigeria and Harry did again. The famous ‘touch and go’ like the last time he was in the UK. Imagine the tabloids finding out Meghan was waiting for him on the airport in the UK.”
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle visit the Terrence Higgins Trust World AIDS Day charity fair at Nottingham Contemporary on December 1, 2017 in Nottingham, England. | Source: Getty Images
Contrastingly, others expressed support, saying they deserved happiness. Questions about their children’s whereabouts also sparked curiosity and concern. Comments read, “Where are their children, did they get to go with them?” and “Nothing meaningful about them two oh and where are their so called children are they real.”