Meghan Markle's Most Eye-Wateringly Expensive Red Carpet Outfits

Recognized for her starring role in the legal drama "Suits," Meghan Markle was posing on red carpets wearing expensive dresses long before she coupled up with Prince Harry. Still, it's safe to say that when Markle took up residence in Nottingham Cottage, on the grounds of Kensington Palace, her wardrobe became much more luxurious. When the pair announced their engagement in 2017, Markle posed for a photoshoot wearing a sheer $75,000 dress from Ralph & Russo. In 2018, she walked down the aisle wearing a Clare Waight Keller wedding gown that cost close to $265,000. Later, Markle arrived at her wedding reception wearing a custom halterneck number by Stella McCartney that was estimated to cost more than $157,000.

However, despite deciding to exit the royal family with her husband in 2020, Markle's luxury wardrobe has shown no signs of becoming cheaper. As Britain's royalists condemned their departure and Markle found her name pasted on the cover of tabloids for months, it's safe to say the duchess did some much-needed retail therapy. With a new life in the U.S., came an entirely new collection of eye-wateringly expensive red carpet outfits. In fact, in 2021, the cost of her three-day New York City wardrobe surpassed $80,000. While she still has expensive taste, Markle has had a stunning style transformation after moving across the Atlantic. In recent years, Markle has moved away from her brighter, bolder silhouettes and started to embrace some minimalist looks that are still just as luxurious.

In 2018, Meghan Markle attended a state dinner in Fiji alongside Prince Harry. The pair arrived at the event looking as sophisticated as ever. Markle exuded refined luxury, wearing a cornflower blue dress by Safiyaa that draped over her baby bump and fell to the floor. Her dress, which cost a staggering $1,431, featured a cape silhouette that only proved Markle's best red carpet outfits crown her as one of the queens of fashion. While she accessorized with a dainty silver bracelet, her crystal-encrusted chandelier earrings were anything but subtle.

In 2018, shortly after Meghan Markle and Prince Harry returned from their Tonga and Fiji tour, the royal pair attended the Australian Geographic Society Awards. Markle made headlines for her bird-inspired frock that wowed onlookers with its intricate design and exorbitant price tag. The dress was designed by Sarah Esmoingt, and it sold for £10,000, equal to $12,816. In the tulle skirt, there was no denying Markle looked like a princess. She topped her lively ensemble with black Aquazzura "Deneuve Bow" pumps, which cost $750.

Meghan Markle was a breath of fresh air when she officially married into the royal family, breathing fresh air into this centuries-old institution. In 2018, she made her first official solo appearance as the Duchess of Sussex at the opening of the new "Oceania" art exhibit at London's Royal Academy of Arts. Markle opted for a chic black Givenchy dress that featured bold sheer balloon sleeves for the occasion. Despite its hefty $3,300 price tag, it was Markle's $12,000 diamond earrings that accounted for the largest chunk of her ensemble's total cost.

Toward the end of the year, in November 2018, Meghan Markle made her Royal Variety Performance debut wearing another Safiyaa number. This time, the duchess wore a monochrome coordinate that featured a $1,149 sequin-encrusted cami by the designer. She paired the black-and-white top with a black maxi skirt that extended into an elegant fishtail silhouette, adding a refined luxury allure to her look. Markle wore her hair in a glamorous updo that drew attention to her strappy halter neck and crystal earrings. 

In 2019, Meghan Markle and Prince Harry attended the London premiere of "The Lion King." Markle donned a casual but chic and extremely expensive black dress and heels. Her dress featured sheer sleeves and a strapless bodice that extended into an A-line silhouette. Designed by the prestigious Jason Wu, the black dress cost a staggering $2,431. Markle carried a Gucci clutch and re-wore her $750 black pumps from Aquazzura — putting the total cost of this look at much more than $3,000.

Meghan Markle often dazzled in her expensive dresses while living in the U.K., and at the premiere of Cirque du Soleil's "Totem" in 2019, she did just that. Markle opted for a shimmering sequin-encrusted gown by Roland Mouret, worth an eye-watering $5,595. Despite being pregnant with her second child, the duchess spent the evening strutting her stuff in strappy black stilettos. The glossy navy gown featured cropped sleeves that created a sophisticated allure, while a knee-high leg slit enhanced its flowing silhouette.

Despite announcing that they would step back from their duties as senior members of the royal family in 2020, later that year, Meghan Markle collaborated with a British icon for a sophisticated, quintessentially British fashion moment. One of Meghan Markle and Prince Harry's best-dressed moments together was when the pair attended the Endeavor Awards wearing blue. Markle splashed out on a $1,285 turquoise Victoria Beckham midi dress that clung to her frame and featured a T-shirt silhouette. The Duchess completed her vibrant ensemble with a luxurious clutch by Stella McCartney.

Cut to 2022, and Meghan Markle made headlines, yet again, for her eye-wateringly expensive outfits. This time, the duchess garnered attention for her refined glamor wardrobe at the Invictus Games. Markle didn't hold back on showcasing her expensive looks, and at the opening of the ceremony, she opted for an understated off-the-shoulder bodysuit by Khaite, worth £620 (around $830), and Manolo shoes worth £595 ($804). Markle's biggest expense for this look was her Cartier choker, which cost a staggering £12,800, or more than $17,000.