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What's the Deal with Meghan Markle Not Wearing Maternity Clothing?

While at Meghan Markle and Prince Harry's first joint public engagement of 2019, in Birkenhead, the Duchess of Sussex donned a violet purple dress and cherry red coat and heels while cradling her six-months' pregnant baby bump

But the Aritzia number isn't a maternity dress by any means, and she's only ever worn one maternity dress (by expecting-celeb-favorite Hatch) to a public engagement thus far (even though she reportedly confirmed she'll be having Baby Sussex in just three months). So why does the duchess shy away from clothes meant for her burgeoning bump?

meghan markle birkenhead smile
Karwai Tang/Getty Images

Of course, there may be a myriad of reasons for why the expecting mama has opted out of switching out her wardrobe for motherhood. One, though, that sticks out: Her palace tailors are probably *so* damn good at their job, she doesn't even need to. 

Exhibit A: the figure-hugging floral midi dress by Brock that the duchess wore to visit retired actors back in mid-December. 

meghan markle nursing home 1
Geoff pugh/GETTY IMAGES

She also wore a Victoria Beckham bump-hugging dress to the Christmas Walk this year. If these non-maternity-wear designer dresses are any indication, she probably has a literal team of tailors helping bring her sartorial choices to life. (And we can't even get our dry cleaner to call us back...)

Another possible reason Markle has been opting out of maternity brands: Jessica Mulroney, the duchess's pre-royal-life BFF and royal-life stylist (unofficially, but oft reported on) lives in Canada. This means the two can't meet before every public engagement on the duchess's calendar, and that the pair probably coordinate Markle's wardrobe via Skype, FaceTime or whenever they get together (which could be once a month).

Since the two BFFs can't meet face-to-face very often, it's probably tough for Markle (and Mulroney) to predict which outfit choices will look best for the royal's growing baby bump. At only three months to go, though, it might be time for the duchess to let her palace tailors rest their little thimble-covered thumbs and spring for dedicated maternity wear.

Or just keep on with your glowing self, Your Highness. We're sure the duchess (and her tailor #squad) knows best.



RF1

Director, Branded Content + Cohost, Royally Obsessed Podcast

As Director of Branded Content at Gallery Media Group, Roberta helps oversee the ideation and execution of sponsored content and experiential campaigns across PureWow and ONE37pm, including PureWow’s 24 in ’24. She began her career in editorial nine years ago, and has written and edited countless articles on news, trends, fashion, beauty and the royal family. She’s also cohost of the Royally Obsessed podcast, named one of the best royals podcasts by The New York Times and Town & Country. She cowrote the book Royal Trivia: Your Guide to the Modern British Royal Family.