Meghan Markle and Kate Middleton's Royal Tour Beach Outfits, Compared

Meghan Markle chose to wear flats on the beach in Melbourne, Australia, but they got completely covered in sand. While they may have seemed more practical, Kate Middleton might have actually gone the smarter route and wore wedges in 2014. See how the Duchess' beach outfits compare here.

By Rachel Epstein

published 19 October 2018

in News

Photograph, Outerwear, Fashion, Suit, Blazer, Photography, Trench coat, Formal wear, Dress, Coat, — (Image credit: Getty Images)

On day three of their royal tour, the Duke and Duchess visited the beach in Melbourne, Australia. Meghan wore a Club Monaco A-line dress with gold buttons underneath a Martin Grant trench coat, which she rocked earlier in the week. This sounds completely normal, but when you mix in sand and water it's actually a very formal (and frankly, surprising) outfit choice for the Duchess.

Although she kept on the dress and coat from earlier in the day, Meghan did change into a pair of Rothy's flats (you can shop them here). Even though the closed-toed shoes seemed like a practical choice, they still got completely covered in sand inside and out (it's the thought that counts!), which makes you wonder if Kate Middleton's royal tour beach outfit is the way to go.

When the Duchess of Cambridge visited Australia and New Zealand with Prince William on their first royal tour with Prince George in 2014, she wore a white Zimmerman dress and gold wedges. The initial thought: elevation equals no sand. But her feet also seem to be buried. Observe for yourself below:

The Duke And Duchess Of Cambridge Tour Australia And New Zealand - Day 10

The Duke And Duchess Of Cambridge Tour Australia And New Zealand - Day 12

Now, here's what Meghan's beach outfit looked like with flats:

The Duke And Duchess Of Sussex Visit Australia - Day 3

Moral of the story: You're always going to get sand in your shoes, so might as well go barefoot.

Rachel Epstein is a writer, editor, and content strategist based in New York City. Most recently, she was the Managing Editor at Coveteur, where she oversaw the site’s day-to-day editorial operations. Previously, she was an editor at Marie Claire, where she wrote and edited culture, politics, and lifestyle stories ranging from op-eds to profiles to ambitious packages. She also launched and managed the site’s virtual book club, #ReadWithMC. Offline, she’s likely watching a Heat game or finding a new coffee shop.

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