Meghan Markle’s Maxi Dress in Nigeria Included an Unexpected Nod to the Royal Family

On May 10, the Duchess of Sussex, 42, arrived in the African country with her husband, Prince Harry, for their first official tour since stepping back from their royal roles in 2020. Meghan stepped out in a blush silk maxi dress with a high neck and cutout back from Heidi Merrick, her second outfit from the California label in recent weeks. Notably, the ensemble is named the Winsdor gown.

The House of Windsor is the name of the modern British royal family, adopted in 1917 by King George V to replace the historic name of Saxe-Coburg-Gotha amid anti-German feelings in the United Kingdom following World War I. The Royal.UK website explains that Windsor remains “the family name of the current Royal Family,” though those close to the direct line of succession don’t use it as their surname.

PEOPLE
SUBSCRIBE
The Rewind: Liz Hurley’s Safety Pin Dress

ROYALS
Meghan Markle’s Maxi Dress in Nigeria Included an Unexpected Nod to the Royal Family
The Duchess of Sussex stepped out in a dress dubbed the ‘Windsor’ gown for her first outing in Nigeria

By Janine Henni Published on May 11, 2024 09:29AM EDT
Prince harry meghan markle nigeria 05 10 24
Meghan Markle at Lightway Academy in Abuja, Nigeria, on May 10, 2024. PHOTO: KOLA SULAIMON/AFP VIA GETTY
Did Meghan Markle’s first fashion moment in Nigeria include a nod to the royal family?

On May 10, the Duchess of Sussex, 42, arrived in the African country with her husband, Prince Harry, for their first official tour since stepping back from their royal roles in 2020. Meghan stepped out in a blush silk maxi dress with a high neck and cutout back from Heidi Merrick, her second outfit from the California label in recent weeks. Notably, the ensemble is named the Winsdor gown.

The House of Windsor is the name of the modern British royal family, adopted in 1917 by King George V to replace the historic name of Saxe-Coburg-Gotha amid anti-German feelings in the United Kingdom following World War I. The Royal.UK website explains that Windsor remains “the family name of the current Royal Family,” though those close to the direct line of succession don’t use it as their surname.

Britain’s Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, and Britain’s Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, arrive at the Lightway Academy in Abuja on May 10, 2024 as they visit Nigeria as part of celebrations of Invictus Games anniversary. (Photo by Kola Sulaimon
Meghan Markle and Prince Harry at Lightway Academy in Abuja, Nigeria, on May 10, 2024. KOLA SULAIMON/AFP VIA GETTY
All the Best Photos from Meghan Markle and Prince Harry’s Nigeria Trip!

When Prince Harry and Meghan’s children Prince Archie, 5, and Princess Lilibet, 2, were born, their full names were announced as Archie Harrison Mountbatten-Windsor and Lilibet Diana Mountbatten-Windsor. Mountbatten comes from Prince Philip’s side of the family, and the hyphenated last name has been used for descendents of Queen Elizabeth since 1960.

In February 2024, PEOPLE confirmed that Harry and Meghan adopted their titles as the Duke and Duchess of Sussex as the last name for their two children. Archie and Lili were afforded the titles of prince and princess when their grandfather King Charles became monarch in September 2022, and the Duke and Duchess used their children’s royal titles for the first time in March 2023 when they announced Lili’s christening.