Meghan Markle certainly turned heads during her solo appearance at a glitzy gala.
The Duchess of Sussex attended the fundraising event for the Children's Hospital Los Angeles and was seen walking the red carpet in a show-stopping red dress. She recycled her vibrant Carolina Herrera gown, previously worn to a military event, giving it a new lease of life by removing the large train.
But it wasn't the only thing that caught people's eyes as Meghan also appeared to change up her make-up as well as her hair. Opting for a natural look, she wore minimal make-up and wore her hair in tousled waves around her shoulders.
It was a marked departure from her usual sleek and polished blow-dries or updos. And according to celebrity hairstylist Katie Allen, Meghan's hair shake-up could be a secret message.
Katie, who runs MAYFIVE, told the Express : "The waves are a lot softer than we are used to seeing on Meghan and is a contrast to her usual style of low buns or bouncy blow dries." She continued: "This natural yet glamorous look could suggest that she's feeling more relaxed, relatable and approachable. We often change up our style when we are embracing a lifestyle or attitude change, so this new look could reflect that."
Meghan's solo appearance at the event on Saturday came after she had laid low for several weeks while her husband Prince Harry has been crisscrossing the world in a string of appearances promoting his own charitable endeavors. And it led to some speculation as to why Meghan had attended the event, especially without Harry.
But on her and Harry's official website Sussex.com, Meghan's close connection with the hospital was explained - as was the reason for her attending the charity night.
A write-up of the event on the site said: "This weekend, Meghan, The Duchess of Sussex attended the biennial Children's Hospital Los Angeles (CHLA) Gala, an inspiring event dedicated to celebrating the exceptional services provided to children across LA. Invited as a special guest by CHLA's president and CEO, Paul Viviano, The Duchess was proud to stand alongside esteemed guests in support of this vital cause."
It continued: "The Duchess has a long-standing connection with CHLA, having visited the hospital on several occasions to meet with patients and participate in the annual Make March Matter campaign. Her presence at the gala underscored her commitment to advocating for the health and well-being of children around the world.
"The evening was a resounding success, reminding us all of the power of community support in improving the lives of those in need. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to CHLA and everyone involved for their dedication and generosity. Together, we can continue to make a meaningful difference in the lives of children and their families."
It comes after Meghan's rare red carpet appearance saw her look changed while in the spotlight, according to body language expert Judi James. She told the Mirror : "Meghan's sudden appearance on the red carpet here seems to show some body language and styling choices that involve the kind of changes that might be making a few deliberate statements.
"Her non-verbal signalling is all about looking coy, slightly vulnerable and even slightly shy. Although she seems to be on her usual form when it comes to placement and direction, her actual posing performances for the cameras lack her usual levels of confidence and assertiveness. She seems to be projecting the idea that she is sweet and rather cute.
"When she spots her friend on the red carpet she throws both hands out and joins her, clasping her hand to register friend-based bonding while also putting her hand underneath in the more passive position as though she is keen to let her friend take the lead. She even pulls her friend’s hand in front of her own torso to hold it like a protective barrier, in the kind of move you might see from a shy child."
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