Meghan Markle's 37 best looks in honour of her birthday

August 03, 2018

Happy birthday, <a href="/tags/0/meghan-markle/">Meghan Markle</a>! It's been a magical year for the newly minted Duchess of Sussex – from getting engaged and <a href="/royal-wedding/">marrying her Prince Charming</a> to attending her first official outing as a duchess. And as she rings in her 37th birthday on Aug. with Prince Harry by her side, Meghan has a lot to celebrate.
<p><strong>In anticipation of <a href="https://ca.hellomagazine.com/royalty/02018080146515/meghan-markle-birthday-events-year-ahead">all that's to come</a>, click through for a fashion-focused photo album that celebrates Meghan's journey so far – and her ever-evolving style!</strong>
<p>Photos: © Getty Images

SCREEN STAR

Long before Meghan was attending royal engagements, she was a regular on the red carpet. The model turned actress – best known for playing paralegal Rachel Zane on legal drama Suits – was often spotted at high-profile events, charities and even in the front row at New York Fashion Week. The L.A. native's style was California cool with a touch of polished glamour, whether she was in a sophisticated sheath dres or a '50s-inspired frock. Her early sartorial choices hinted at what would become her signature style – clean silhouettes, a penchant for solid colours over bold prints and classic stilettos. "She always seemed to pick more timeless styles, focusing on the elegance of the garments with a youthful approach," Canadian designer Nina Kharey of NONIE said.

Sept. 11, 2013

The Suits star attended a charity event in New York City, experimenting with a bold geometric print while sticking to her preferred silhouette.

Photo: © Janette Pellegrinin/Getty Images for Cantor Fitzgerald

<h2>Sept. 5, 2014</h2>
A regular at New York Fashion Week, Meghan was spotted at designer Peter Som's spring 2015 show in a chic black-and-white ensemble.
<p>Photo: © Paul Morigi/WireImage/Getty Images

<h2>Oct. 28, 2014</h2>
Meghan wears a stunning evening gown by fashion designer and friend Roland Mouret at the Elton John AIDS Foundation's 13th annual benefit in New York.
<p>Photo: © Neilson Barnard/Getty Images for Ciroc Vodka

<h2>March 22, 2016</h2>
Meghan took style notes from her <em>Suits</em> character in a sophisticated, form-fitting dress.
<p>Photo: © George Pimintel/WireImage/Getty Images

<h2>April 27, 2016</h2>
The former actress attended the Glamour and L'Oréal Paris College Women of the Year event in New York City in a lovely lace dress.
<p>Photo: © Nicholas Hunt/Getty Images for Glamour

<h2>July 14, 2016</h2>
Radiant in red, the now-Duchess of Sussex was spotted wearing a fit-and-flare dress and nude pumps at the taping for <em>Today</em> in New York City.
<p>Photo: © Ray Tamarra.GC Images/Getty Images

<h2>Sept. 25, 2017</h2>
Looking casual-chic in jeans, Meghan attended the Invictus Games in Toronto alongside Prince Harry as they made their debut as a couple.
<p>Photo: © Karwai Tang/WireImage/Getty Images

ROYAL ENGAGEMENT

After months of speculation, Meghan made her first public appearance with Prince Harry at the Invictus Games in Toronto. Shortly after, the couple announced their engagement, with Meghan wowing in a stunning white coat. Meghan and her stylish ensembles made headlines, and so did the designer she chose to wear. With the help of best friend and stylist Jessica Mulroney, Meghan wore Canadian labels like LINE, Birks, Aritzia, Mackage and Sentaler. Fashion journalist Jeanne Beker noted: "She quickly rose to future occasions with sartorial propriety and a good measure of political correctness as well, helping to celebrate so many talented Canadian designers she'd been relying on since she started working on Suits and made Toronto home."

Nov. 27, 2017

Meghan stepped into the spotlight for the official royal engagement photo call wearing a gorgeous white coat by Canadian label LINE.

Photo: © Anwar Hussein/Getty Images

<h2>Dec. 25, 2017</h2>
Attending Christmas Day church service with the Royal Family, she impressed in another coat, this time by Canadian designer Sentaler.
<p>Photo: © ADRIAN DENNIS/AFP/Getty Images

<h2>Feb. 13, 2018</h2>
Meghan joined her then-fiancé Prince Harry at Edinburgh Castle in a Burberry plaid coat and cross-body bag as the couple made their first official joint visit to Scotland.
<p>Photo: © Samir Hussein/WireImage/Getty Images

<h2>Feb. 13, 2018</h2>
Meghan opted for high-waisted trousers and a turtleneck as she and Harry made their way to a reception in Scotland.
<p>Photo: © Samir Hussein/WireImage/Getty Images

<h2>Feb. 28, 2018</h2>
Meghan wore a Jason Wu trench dress with Aquazzura heels as she joined Prince Harry, Prince William and Kate onstage at the Royal Foundation Forum.
<p>Photo: © Chris Jackson/AFP/Getty Images

<h2>March 8, 2018</h2>
The soon-to-be royal arrived in Birmingham in a stylish – and affordable! – J.Crew coat layered over a turtleneck and Alexander Wang trousers.
<p>Photo: © Samir Hussein/WireImage/Getty Images

<h2>March 12, 2018</h2>
Meghan attended a Commonwealth Day church service with the Queen in a coat by royal fashion favourite Amanda Wakeley and beret by Stephen Jones.
<p>Photo: © Daniel Leal-Olivas/Getty Images

<h2>March 23, 2018</h2>
Meghan's ensemble in Belfast, Northern Ireland, was another nod to Canada, thanks to a Mackage coat and Greta Constantine skirt.
<p>Photo: © Karwai Tang/WireImage/Getty Images

PRINCESS IN TRAINING

Leading up to the royal wedding, Meghan continued to create a fashion frenzy with who and what she wore. She even paid tribute to her new adopted home by wearing British designers like Stella McCartney and Emilia Wickstead. "Meghan's style became more refined, but in every essence still holds her signature look: chic and contemporary," Bojana Sentaler, fashion designer for luxe outerwear brand Sentaler, said. "Her hemlines dropped a tad as she eased into her major new role and began establishing herself as a bona fide international fashion icon," Jeanne added. Much like the "Kate Effect," anything Meghan wore quickly sold out, and her Midas touch was unofficially termed the "Markle Sparkle"!

April 18, 2018

Attending a reception with delegates of the Commonwealth Youth Forum, Meghan wore a striped Altuzarra dress with a Camilla and Marc blazer and Oroton bag.

Photo: © Samir Hussein/WireImage/Getty Images

<h2>April 19, 2018</h2>
Meghan showed off her love for a great little black dress in this "Jackie O" design by Black Halo.
<p>Photo: © Chris Jackson/Getty Images

<h2>April 21, 2018</h2>
Spring was in the air! Meghan stepped out in a pleated green floral dress by Self-Portrait during the Invictus Games reception in London.
<p>Photo: © Karwai Tang/WireImage/Getty Images

<h2>April 21, 2018</h2>
Meghan joined a slew of A-listers to help ring in the Queen's 92nd year at Royal Albert Hall in a chic Stella McCartney cape dress and a Naeem Khan clutch.
<p>Photo: © Karwai Tang/WireImage/Getty Images

<h2>April 23, 2018</h2>
While attending a memorial service with Prince Harry, Meghan wore a belted navy dress by Hugo Boss with her signature messy bun.
<p>Photo: © Neil Mockford/GC Images/Getty Images

<h2>April 25, 2018</h2>
Taking a page from Kate, Meghan wore a two-piece suit by Emilia Wickstead, one of Kate's go-to designers, for Anzac Day.
<p>Photo: © Chris Jackson/Getty Images

<h2>May 19, 2018</h2>
Meghan tied the knot with Prince Harry in an elegant bateau-neck gown by British designer Clare Waight Keller, the first female artistic director of Givenchy.
<p>Photo: © Rex/Shutterstock

<h2>May 19, 2018</h2>
Just like Kate before her, Meghan opted for a second wedding look and chose a halter-neck Stella McCartney evening gown for the reception.
<p>Photo: © Steve Parsons/Getty Images

DUCHESS ON DUTY

Officially assuming her new role as the Duchess of Sussex, Meghan quickly transitioned into dressing the part – and looked perfectly regal doing so. The newlywed's first appearance was at the Prince of Wales's 70th birthday garden party at Buckingham Palace, where she wore a ladylike blush pink dress by British label Goat – a favourite of the Duchess of Cambridge – and a Philip Treacy hat. For the events that followed, Meghan favoured a softer colour palette of blush pinks, creams and neutrals, her demure wardrobe marking a new chapter in her life. Adhering to the royal fashion protocol, the duchess traded her cool and casual ensembles for elegant fascinators, sleek clutches and nude tights.

May 22, 2018

Meghan looked every bit the duchess as she arrived at the Prince of Wales's 70th birthday garden party at Buckingham Palace wearing a dress by British label Goat.

<h2>June 9, 2018</h2>
Meghan arrived at her first Trooping the Colour in a Carolina Herrera bardot dress in blush pink and a Philip Treacy hat in the same hue.
<p>Photo: © Max Mumby/Indigo/Getty Images

<h2>June 14, 2018</h2>
Meghan attended her first engagement with the Queen wearing a cream-coloured belted number by Givenchy.
<p>Photo: © Karwai Tang/WireImage/Getty Images

<h2>June 19, 2018</h2>
Givenchy was the winner once again as Meghan attended the Royal Ascot clad in a beautiful ivory shirt-dress from the French fashion house.
<p>Photo: © Steve Parsons/PA Images/Getty Images

<h2>June 26, 2018</h2>
Continuing with a white and pastel colour palette, the duchess wore a pale-pink two-piece set by Prada.
<p>Photo: © John Stillwell/Getty Images

<h2>July 5, 2018</h2>
In a slight departure for the new duchess – and an instant hit – Meghan surprised everyone in a sunny yellow Brandon Maxwell sheath dress at the Your Commonwealth Youth Challenge event in London.
<p>Photo: © Yui Mok/Getty Images

<h2>July 9, 2018</h2>
Meghan embraced monochrome, arriving to Prince Louis' christening in head-to-toe olive, wearing a dress by Ralph Lauren, hat by Stephen Jones and heels by Manolo Blahnik.
<p>Photo: © Dominic Lipinski/AFP/Getty Images

<h2>July 10, 2018</h2>
Meghan joined Prince Harry as members of the Royal Family attended the centenary of the Royal Air Force in London wearing an exquisite boat-neck Dior frock.
<p>Photo: © Jeff Spicer/Getty Images

REGAL ON ROYAL TOURS

Meghan embarked on her first overseas trip with Prince Harry, to Ireland, where she showed off major style moments by big fashion hours like Dior, Prada and, of course, Givenchy. Meghan once again returned to her favourite silhouettes and signature style by choosing structured, fitted dresses, pant suits and mididresses. The tour was also a snapshot of what lies ahead as the couple take on more international trips this fall. "Meghan's style will continue to evolve as she brings a contemporary approach to royal protocol. She knows exactly who she is, and her value in the Royal Family will change history," Bojana added.

July 10, 2018

Meghan headed off on a royal tour of Ireland with Prince Harry, attending a reception at Glencairn in Dublin wearing an elegant Emilia Wickstead dress.

<h2>July 11, 2018</h2>
The tour continued as Meghan arrived with Prince Harry to visit the Irish president and his wife, this time in Roland Mouret featuring her now-signature boat-neck style.
<p>Photo: © Samir Hussein/WireImage/Getty Images

<h2>July 11, 2018</h2>
After wearing a series of elegant dresses, the duchess finished her whirlwind tour of Ireland in a bespoke Givenchy pant suit.
<p>Photo: © Rex/Shutterstock

<h2>July 14, 2018</h2>
Returning to London, the duchess headed to Wimbledon to cheer on friend Serena Williams, sporting a striped button-down and wide-leg trousers by Ralph Lauren.
<p>Photo: © Javier Garcia/BPI/Rex/Shutterstock

<h2>July 17, 2018</h2>
Meghan showed off her love for Canada once more, wearing a stylish trench dress by Calgary-based label NONIE to the Nelson Mandela Centenary Exhibition.
<p>Photo: © Karwai Tang/WireImage/Getty Images