BAG LADY
Meghan Markle’s life in handbags, from a cheap canvas tote to a £1k Zodiac clutch adorned with crystals
FROM the cheap canvas tote at her first red carpet appearance to a £1,067 crystal-adorned clutch for the Queen's birthday, Meghan Markle's handbag collection is more than just a lesson in style.
Her bags also tell the 36-year-old royal bride-to-be's life story. We investigate...
Canvas shopper, £5 - September 2005
15
Fresh out of university with a degree in theatre studies and stepping onto the red carpet for the first time in LA, 24-year-old Meghan hasn’t yet got the cash to splash on expensive designer handbags.
So she carries this cheap linen tote instead.
Little does she know of the huge luxury bag collection - or the handsome prince charming - that lies in her future.
Coach clutch, £160 - August 2006
15
Now dating her first husband Trevor Engelson and building up her career with bit-parts in TV series Love Inc and Cuts, Meghan now has a bit more money to spend on clothes.
She splashed the cash on this £160 crocodile-effect blue clutch bag by American brand Coach.
Kate Spade vintage bag, £350 - November 2006
15
As her TV career starts to take off with small roles in dramas like CSI, Meghan is starting to get more red carpet invites.
She has yet to find her celebrity polish, but is already recognising the importance of a good bag, like this one, possibly a vintage Kate Spade, priced around £350.
Louis Vuitton vintage checked tote, £900 - August 2010
15
Meghan’s persistence is now paying off with her first movie parts.
This year, she was paid around £250,000 for roles in films like The Candidate and Remember Me.
No wonder she can start to afford this vintage checked tote by designer Louis Vuitton, costing around £900.
Vintage box clutch, price unknown - November, 2012
15
By now, Meghan has landed a dream role as high-powered lawyer Rachel Zane in TV series Suits, with a pay packet of £37,000 an episode.
With more cash and a professional styling team behind her, she is now favouring discreet bags which don’t distract from the line of her designer outfits, like this vintage box clutch.
Susie Nelson, vintage fashion expert and founder of told Fabulous: "Meghan has really got a lot more polish now. You can see she’s being exposed to more choice, more advice from stylists and, no doubt, more designers wanting her to wear their stuff."
Céline Ring Bag, £1,000 - 2014
15
Divorced after less than two years of marriage, Meghan is making the most of her newfound freedom.
She launched her lifestyle blog, The Tig, which featured her fashion must-haves.
Her growing confidence is reflected in this stunning beige Celine Ring Bag, costing around £1,000.
Marc Jacobs Gotham Bauletto Bag, £350 - March 2016
15
As her celebrity grows with the success of Suits, this berry coloured Marc Jacobs Gotham Bauletto Bag, priced around £350, shows she is really hitting her stride.
Just as well, as four months later she will be introduced to Prince Harry by mutual friends in London, and he will fall in love with her at first sight.
Handbag expert Susie says: "At this point in Meghan’s life, this is the sort of elegant, serviceable bag that would suit her perfectly as a busy actress. It’s a sort of girl briefcase with room for a laptop, scripts and whatever else she needs."
Roger Vivier ‘Pilgrim De Jour’ bag, £1,600 - July 2016
15
Although the world doesn't know it yet, Meghan is secretly dating Prince Harry, and is already feeling like a princess, judging by this ultra-feminine red dress, boldly matched with this Roger Vivier ‘Pilgrim De Jour’ black tote bag, costing around £1,600.
Céline Trio Bag, £650 - March 2017
15
The secret’s out, the world knows she and Harry are an item.
It seems Meghan is already getting the VIP treatment if she’s allowed to board a plane with three bags like this, including an emerald green Céline Trio Bag, priced at £650, and a Hermès Double Sens Tote Bag, costing an eye-watering £2,230.
Everlane tote bag, £120 - September 2017
15
It's official. For their first proper appearance together on the side-lines of the Invictus Games, Meghan shows she will be keeping her relaxed style by carrying this Everlane tote bag, in ‘cognac’ costing around £120.
Chloe Pixie, £1,055 - December 2017
15
Now they are engaged, for her first Christmas Day service with the royals, Meghan shows she has no intention of conforming on the accessories front with this circular orange Chloe Handbag, costing £1,055.
Handbag expert Susie says: "This Chloe bag is quirky choice but it worked with the coat.
"You wouldn’t see Meghan’s future sister-in-law Kate wearing it as she has to be more conventional as the wife of the future king. But as the fiancee of the second son, she can afford to be more daring."
Strathberry East/West, £425 - February 2018
15
In her role as future royal, Meghan is now moving away from the big international design houses –and towards to smaller, British businesses.
She carried this bottle green mini tote by Scottish company Strathberry on a visit to Edinburgh castle, which came with the much more affordable price tag of £425.
Meghan showed she will also be sticking to her own style by wearing it across her body, never normally done by royal women because it creases their clothes on walkabouts.
Charlotte Elizabeth Chestnut Bloomsbury, £139 - March 2018
15
Meghan again proved you don’t need to pay a fortune and buy well-known designers to look chic on this royal walk-about in Belfast.
Instead she chose this mini green tote as a discreet nod to her father-in law Prince Charles. This £139 style, known as the Chestnut Bloomsbury, was designed by small business owner Charlotte Elizabeth who first got going thanks to a helping hand from Charles’ charity, The Prince’s Trust.
Vintage fashion expert Susie, says: "Meghan now realises she has got to be careful with the messages she’s sending out and the causes she's supporting.
"Her look is now very elegant and regal. Her bags are also getting smaller and neater because she doesn’t need to cart everything around herself. She has people on hand to do that for her."
Naeem Khan Zodiac clutch, £1,067 - April 2018
15
For the Queens’ 92nd birthday, Meghan hints she believes that her love story with Harry was written in the stars with this quirky £1,067 gold Zodiac Clutch, adorned with crystals, by Naeem Khan.
Indeed Harry seems to agree, saying on their engagement: "The fact that I fell in love with Meghan so quickly was confirmation for me that all the stars were aligned.";
Handbag expert Susie adds: "Because this is very simple dress, Meghan can have something wackier on the accessories front. It’s clear Meghan is going to be the bravest royal yet, fashion wise."
15
Meg-a collection: Markle's life in bags
- Canvas tote, price £5 – September 2005
- Coach clutch, £160 – August 2005
- Kate Spade vintage bag, £350 – November 2006
- Louis Vuitton vintage checked tote, £900 – August 2010
- Vintage box clutch, price unknown – November, 2012
- Celine Ring Bag, £1,000 – 2014
- Marc Jacobs Gotham Bauletto Bag, £350 – March 2016
- Roger Vivier ‘Pilgrim De Jour’ bag, £1,600 – July 2016
- Celine Trio Bag, £650 – March 2017
- Everlane tote bag, £120 – September 2017
- Chloe Pixie, £1,055 – December 2017
- Strathberry East/West, £425 – February 2018
- Charlotte Elizabeth Chestnut Bloomsbury, £139 – March 2018
- Naeem Khan Zodiac clutch, £1,067 – April 2018
MOST READ IN FABULOUS
Meanwhile, these are Meghan Markle's favourite books, including The Little Prince and The Dress.
And, we take a peak inside Meghan Markle's £20,000 shoe closet, featuring Princess Diana’s nude Jimmy Choos and £630 Christian Louboutin ‘Love Me’ pumps.
Here's how to achieve glowing skin like Meghan Markle, according to her facialist Sarah Chapman.
And, here's a dupe of Meghan's £1,403.50 striped midi dress - and it's perfect for summer.
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s wedding secrets revealed… from the cake to music and even that dress.
We pick out wedding outfits fit for Harry and Meghan for these lucky royal wedding guests
Topics