Meghan Markle Sent a Meaningful Message about Sustainable Fashion on Her Royal Tour of Africa

Meghan Markle wore a recycled nylon dress during her royal tour of Africa and the look is now selling out and available only for pre-order.

The Duke & Duchess Of Sussex Visit South Africa
(Image credit: Pool/Samir Hussein)
  • During her royal tour of Africa last month, Meghan Markle made a powerful statement without verbally saying a word.
  • The Duchess of Sussex promoted a cause close to her heart—sustainable fashion—by wearing pieces that focus on sustainability, according to People
  • Sarah Staudinger, co-founder of STAUD, the designer behind one of Meghan's most iconic looks from the tour, spoke to the magazine about the impact of having Meghan champion the cause of sustainable fashion.

Meghan Markle routinely speaks out about causes that are close to her heart, but the Duchess of Sussex is also able to savvily and subtly use her platform to support her favorite issues without saying a word.

Take her recent royal tour of Africa, for example. As People notes, Meghan used the high-profile series of engagements to champion one of the many causes she cares dearly about—sustainable fashion.

During the trip, Meghan's fashion choices were closely watched, so when she wore a recycled nylon dress from Los Angeles brand STAUD during her visit to the Auwal Mosque, it had a huge impact.

"The eyes of the world are constantly on the royal family, so it is very meaningful that the Duchess has placed a focus on sustainability,” Sarah Staudinger, co-founder of STAUD, told People. "We are honored that she chose to wear a dress from our brand."

Meghan wore STAUD's “Millie” dress, a floor-length, olive green, belted shirt dress made entirely from recycled nylon, during the tour and, since Meghan stepped out in the $325 dress, it's been in high demand and is now on pre-order (but still expected to be available in time for Christmas).

“The response has been incredible and has exposed us to a much wider audience,” Staudinger added.

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Contributing Editor at Marie Claire

Kayleigh Roberts is a freelance writer and editor with over 10 years of professional experience covering entertainment of all genres, from new movie and TV releases to nostalgia, and celebrity news. Her byline has appeared in Marie Claire, Cosmopolitan, ELLE, Harper’s Bazaar, The Atlantic, Allure, Entertainment Weekly, MTV, Bustle, Refinery29, Girls’ Life Magazine, Just Jared, and Tiger Beat, among other publications. She's a graduate of the Medill School of Journalism at Northwestern University.