Meghan Markle’s pregnancy wardrobe worth over half a million
That’s one pricey pregnancy.
Since announcing she was expecting her first child with husband Prince Harry back in October, Meghan Markle has stepped out in around 75 headline-making outfits — but moms-to-be who love the Duchess of Sussex’s style might be out of luck unless they’ve got royally deep pockets.
According to fashion search engine Love the Sales, the total cost of all Markle’s maternity outfits comes to a whopping £478,920, or about $632,000 — which is more than seven times what her sister-in-law Kate Middleton spent on her pregnancy wardrobe.
Not all of the Duchess of Sussex’s looks were equally budget-busting, however. While her priciest ensemble was the approximately $13,200 bespoke Oscar de la Renta dress covered in laser-cut birds she wore to the Geographic Society Awards in October, she also sported a knit H&M maternity dress that cost just $35 in January.
The fast fashion retailer was just one of the many brands to benefit from the so-called “Meghan Maternity Effect” throughout the royal’s pregnancy. Her H&M dress sold out in just 24 hours, and even popped up on eBay for as much as six times its retail price. Meanwhile, searches for Markle’s Veja V-10 sneakers spiked by over 300 percent after the duchess was spotted wearing the $150 shoes in October.
Searches for Australian designer Karen Gee similarly shot up by over 5,800 percent after Markle wore the brand’s “Blessed” dress after announcing her pregnancy, while Outland Denim‘s sales spiked over 2,300 percent thanks to the royal’s continued support.
And while it’s against royal protocol for Markle (or any member of the royal family) to accept free clothing, British taxpayers won’t be footing the bill for the duchess’ maternity duds: They’ll be paid for by Prince Charles, just like the rest of her famously costly closet.
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