Meghan Markle's Polo Dress Called Back to Her Royal Wedding Look — and Its Name Might Have a Tie to Prince Harry!

The Duchess of Sussex defined spring style with a look that might feel familiar

Meghan Markle, Polo, Wedding
Meghan Markle at the Royal Salute Polo Challenge in Florida on April 12, 2024; Meghan Markle heads to evening wedding reception at Frogmore House on May 19, 2018. Photo:

Yaroslav Sabitov/PA Images via Getty; STEVE PARSONS/AFP via Getty

Meghan Markle’s ensemble at Prince Harry’s latest polo match might look familiar.

On April 12, the Duchess of Sussex stepped out to support her husband at the Royal Salute Polo Challenge match benefitting his charity Sentebale in Wellington, Florida, where she wore a halter ivory midi dress by Heidi Merrick with a midriff cutout and tie around the neckline.

The neckline and hue are reminiscent of Meghan’s second wedding dress by Stella McCartney that she sported for the evening reception at Frogmore House following her wedding ceremony at St. George’s Chapel at Windsor Castle in May 2018.

Like many modern brides in the British royal family such as Kate Middleton and Princess Eugenie, Meghan, 42, changed looks between her wedding events. The Duchess of Sussex wore a bespoke white silk gown with a bateau neckline and three-quarter sleeves by Clare Waight Keller for Givenchy for the nuptials at St. George’s Chapel and switched into the slinky Stella McCartney number for the private party hosted by the future King Charles later in the day.

The polo day ensemble had another possible tie to her husband. Called the "Ginger" dress, Meghan might have noted the nod to Prince Harry's famous hair hue.

Prince Harry Marries Ms. Meghan Markle - Windsor Castle
Meghan Markle and Prince Harry head to their evening wedding reception at Frogmore House on May 19, 2018. Steve Parsons - WPA Pool/Getty

Meghan has long reached for halter-neck styles and may have been tipped to Merrick’s piece by a friend. The Duchess of Sussex’s pal and former Suits costar Abigail Spencer wore the same pleated white dress from the polo game to the designer’s anniversary celebration in September 2023.

"On 'the land' @hmerrick Happy Anniversary Heidi & Johnny. Love yous. 🤍🖤🤍," Spencer captioned an Instagram carousel of photos and videos showing her wearing the frock under a jean jacket in the woods.

Meghan made a fashion statement at the Royal Salute Polo Challenge at the Grand Champions Polo Club in the halter dress, turning up the glam with vintage Chanel earrings, a white Valentino crossbody bag and beige Aquazurra pumps. She slipped on oversized sunglasses by Merrick in the "Santa Barbara" style — which happen to share a name with the California town that Meghan and Prince Harry, 39, call home with their kids, Prince Archie, 4, and Princess Lilibet, 2.

Nacho Figueras, Delfina Blaquier, Meghan, Duchess of Sussex and Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex attend the Royal Salute Polo Challenge benefitting Sentebale at Grand Champions Polo Club on April 12, 2024 in Wellington, Florida
From left: Nacho Figueras, Delfina Blaquier, Meghan Markle and Prince Harry attend the Royal Salute Polo Challenge in Florida on April 12, 2024.

Jason Koerner/Getty Images

Prince Harry and Meghan posed for photos ahead of the polo match with Ignacio "Nacho" Figueras and Delfina Blaquier, who wore a red floral top and trouser set from Scanlan Theodore with sunglasses and a straw hat.

Exclusively speaking to PEOPLE at the event, Figueras said the Duke of Sussex is thriving as a dad.

"Prince Harry is doing very well, and I admire how he has fully embraced fatherhood over the past couple of years," Figueras, 47, said before he and Harry hit the pitch on opposing teams.

Nacho Figueras and Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex compete during the Royal Salute Polo Challenge benefitting Sentebale at Grand Champions Polo Club on April 12, 2024 in Wellington, Florida.
Nacho Figueras and Prince Harry during the Royal Salute Polo Challenge benefitting Sentebale at the Grand Champions Polo Club in Florida on April 12, 2024.

Jason Koerner/Getty Images

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The pro rider adds that Prince Harry "loves being a dad" to son Prince Archie and daughter Princess Lilibet. "He loves parenthood. I admire him so much as a parent," he says.

"He has a great and supportive wife in Meghan Markle," Figueras adds.

Dana Barnes, Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, Adolfo Cambiaso and Malcolm Borwick during the Royal Salute Polo Challenge benefitting Sentebale at Grand Champions Polo Club on April 12, 2024 in Wellington, Florida. The annual Polo Cup has been running since 2010, and to date has raised over £11.4 million to support Sentebale's work with children and young people affected by poverty, inequality and HIV/AIDS in southern Africa.
Prince Harry (second from left) and Meghan Markle (center) attend the Royal Salute Polo Challenge in Florida on April 12, 2024.

Jason Koerner/Getty

"Seeing Prince Harry so involved with his children and happy with his great wife is heartening," adds Figueras, an ambassador for Sentebale. "His passion for family matches his passion for polo, which is what first drew me to him when we met years ago."

Prince Harry co-founded the charity in 2006 to help young people in Africa affected by poverty, inequality and HIV/AIDS, and used polo as a key fundraising vehicle, most prominently through the Sentebale ISPS Handa Polo Cup, the flagship fundraiser held in the summer.

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