How Do Brands Convince Meghan Markle, Kate Middleton To Wear Designer Clothing?

Wooing a royal is different than impressing a Hollywood starlet. While Meghan Markle would have been encouraged to accept free samples and clothing on loan from big designers as an actress, the royal family is not allowed to accept such gifts. Designers instead have to convince royals like her and Kate Middleton to buy their clothing.

Still, the Duchesses do not just head to a department store. Amber Graafland, The Daily Mirror’s fashion and beauty director, told Yahoo’s “The Royal Box” that boxes of clothing from designers will arrive at Kensington Palace, but the family cannot keep everything.

“Packages will arrive at the palace, can you imagine how wonderful that must be? And they do get shown to Meghan and Kate, whoever they’re being directed to, and they’ll say, ‘You know what? I really like that.’ And the rest of the items will be returned, and they pay for the item that they keep.”

PR expert Nick Ede revealed that some designers essentially have sales pitches to point out looks they believe would be fitting for royal engagements.

“Some brands that I’ve worked with, they’ll do almost like a PowerPoint presentation where they will have the things that they think will suit the family or whoever it is they’re going to be styling. And then they’ll say, ‘We’d like to present these to you. Which ones would you choose?’ And they’ll get an email or letter saying, ‘We’d like that, thank you.’ And then they’ll pay for it.”

They also get early access to new lines. In Morocco, Meghan wore a blue Carolina Herrera from the fall collection. The $2,990 dress is only available to the general public for pre-order right now.

The correspondents also noted that the Duchess of Sussex was often loaned clothing as an actress, but she must build up her new wardrobe as a working member of the royal family. Though there have been reports that Meghan has a steep clothing bill, she can and will wear many pieces again. Followers have already seen the pregnant Duchess rewear shoes, dresses and jewelry for different events.