Meghan steps into the limelight: Duchess wears £25,000 outfit for afternoon tea at Claridge’s with Malala Yousafzai
Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, has made her first public appearance in central London since Queen Elizabeth II's funeral in September 2022, meeting with Nobel Peace laureate Malala Yousafzai for afternoon tea at the luxury Claridge's hotel in Mayfair yesterday. The outing marks a significant moment in the Duchess's public life after years of maintaining a low profile in the capital due to ongoing security concerns. The meeting suggests she may be preparing to return to philanthropic work, particularly in girls' education—an area where she and Malala have previously collaborated when they spoke during a virtual discussion marking the International Day of the Girl in October 2020.
The Duchess wore a carefully curated designer outfit totalling approximately £25,000, including a camel-coloured Tove Studio coat (£1,695), Ralph Lauren cream trousers (£1,900), a black Chanel handbag (approximately £7,000), and a Logan Hollowell diamond necklace (£16,200). The pair enjoyed a classic British afternoon tea at Claridge's world-famous Foyer and Reading Room, where fellow diners reported they ate cucumber sandwiches and scones with jam and clotted cream, with tea and mineral water rather than the available champagne. Malala, originally from Pakistan and now based in Birmingham, is the world's youngest-ever Nobel Peace Prize recipient, having won the award in 2014 at age 17 following her courageous advocacy for girls' education despite surviving a Taliban shooting in 2012.
- Meghan's first London public appearance in four years meets with Malala Yousafzai
- Duchess wore £25,000 of designer pieces for afternoon tea at Claridge's hotel
- Meeting suggests return to girls' education philanthropy work
New here? Start with this
Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, stepped back from frontline royal duties in 2020 and has since maintained a limited public profile in the United Kingdom. Her appearances in central London have been particularly scarce over recent years due to security concerns that have restricted her public engagement in the capital.
Malala Yousafzai is a Pakistani-born campaigner for girls' education who won the Nobel Peace Prize in 2014 at age 17, becoming the youngest-ever recipient. Now based in Birmingham, she is internationally recognised for her advocacy work and as a survivor of a Taliban attack in 2012.
The Duchess and Malala have a shared commitment to advancing girls' education through their advocacy work. They have previously collaborated on initiatives designed to improve education access for women and girls.