Just months after her fairytale wedding to Prince Harry in 2018, the Duchess of Sussex found herself at the centre of an unexpected fashion mishap during her first major overseas royal tour. The incident occurred when the newlywed couple touched down in Tonga as part of their extensive 16-day Pacific tour.
The Tonga Arrival That Caught Everyone's Attention
In October 2018, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex disembarked their plane at Fua'amotu Airport in Tonga, with Meghan making a striking first impression in a vibrant £380 Self Portrait dress. However, royal watchers quickly noticed something amiss with the otherwise impeccable ensemble.
The bright red dress still had its manufacturer's label clearly visible, dangling from beneath the hem of the garment. The fashion oversight remained on display for at least five minutes as the royal couple walked along the runway, greeting officials and well-wishers.
Online Reaction and Speculation
The visible tag immediately sparked conversation among royal fans and fashion commentators. Some observers jokingly suggested that perhaps the Duchess had intentionally left the tag attached with the intention of returning the dress after the official engagement concluded.
Others questioned why neither Meghan's personal assistants nor her styling team had noticed the glaring issue before she exited the aircraft. "Given the extensive preparation that goes into royal appearances, many found it surprising that such an obvious detail could be overlooked," noted one royal commentator.
At the time, Good Morning Britain presenter Charlotte Hawkins came to Meghan's defence, explaining that such mishaps are "easily done" as clothing labels can be positioned in various unexpected places. "They put labels in all different places; sometimes it's in the back, sometimes it's in the bottom, sometimes it's in the sleeve," Hawkins remarked sympathetically.
Not Meghan's First Fashion Hiccup
The Tonga incident wasn't the only fashion challenge Meghan faced during those early months as a royal. Just two months prior, another wardrobe malfunction occurred when the Duchess attended the wedding of Prince Harry's close friend, Charlie van Straubenzee.
On that occasion, which coincidentally fell on Meghan's 37th birthday, the Duchess wore a £400 Club Monaco navy blue short-sleeved dress. She accidentally missed fastening a button, briefly revealing her bra as she waved to well-wishers outside St Mary the Virgin church in Frensham, Surrey.
Displaying characteristic composure, Meghan quickly adjusted her dress and offered photographers a cheeky smile, demonstrating the same poise she showed during the later Tonga label incident.
These early fashion moments highlighted the intense scrutiny faced by new members of the royal family, where even the smallest details don't escape public notice.
