Pregnant Meghan Markle makes surprise appearance at Fashion Awards in bump-hugging gown
Meghan Markle delighted guests at The Fashion Awards held by the British Fashion Council when she made an unscheduled appearance last night.
The Duchess of Sussex dressed in a one-shoulder, custom Givenchy dress in black velvet to attend the event at the Royal Albert Hall in London.
She presented her wedding dress designer Clare Waight Keller with the British Womenswear Designer of the Year award.
The 37-year-old, who is currently pregnant with her first child with Prince Harry, wore a pair of gold metallic ‘Karat’ sandals by Tamara Mellon. The shoes cost £455 on the Orchard Mile website and are still available in most sizes at time of writing.
![Meghan Markle hugs her bump at The Fashion Awards. [Photo: Getty]](https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/QtKZaSGGQYmkgIi0UA6sBQ--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTk2MDtoPTUyMw--/https://media.zenfs.com/en/homerun/feed_manager_auto_publish_494/d94f7b25980c10b38a07d0f5690ff710)
She paired her look with gold ‘Wajiha’ cuffs and a pair of ‘Nosheen’ stud earrings, both by jewellery designer Pippa Small.
Fans immediately took to Twitter to gush over the Duchess’ red carpet worthy look, but it was her nail polish that made the most impact.
![Meghan Markle held her bump as she stood on stage. [Photo: Getty]](https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/kVaUxCA0AxVXZZi0SlgHLA--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTk2MDtoPTE0NDA-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/homerun/feed_manager_auto_publish_494/de8402fb4bd720f4d94338a2a854f455)
Royal women typically wear just one nail colour: Essie’s Ballet Slippers. This is because, in 1989, Queen Elizabeth II’s hairdresser sent Essie a letter requesting Ballet Slippers and stating it was the only shade Her Majesty would wear.
Click below to see more celebrity fashion looks from the Fashion Awards:
However, Meghan appears to have broken royal protocol with her choice of a short, black manicure. Fans not only noticed Duchess’ choice of nail polish, they also praised her for ‘breaking’ the rule and called her a ‘rebel’.
Said nail polish falls under neither tradition or protocol. Don’t make me wake up in the morning and have to go there!!! 😉#FashionAwards
— Victoria Arbiter (@victoriaarbiter) December 11, 2018
Mannnn, Meghan Markle DGAF! LOOK AT THE BEAUTY!!! HER BUMP! HER DRESSSSSSS!!! Black nail polish too? I STAN A GORGEOUS REBEL!
— #wendikins (@DarkandFancy) December 10, 2018
I don’t care how much you dislike the Duchess of Sussex/Meghan Markle. She looked great tonight. The black nail polish was totally appropriate and fashionable. pic.twitter.com/bGNUfDLJDJ
— Comments (@WantToBeMePls) December 10, 2018
#MyPalaceSource says the Queen has ordered Meghan Markle be arrested and thrown in the Tower of London for wearing dark nail polish. Kate, Pippa and their mother looked at their drawers full of Essie Ballet Slippers and smiled.
— Purify🗣 (@Purify_toast17) December 10, 2018
Meghan Markle broke the royal rules of only wearing natural nailmpolish to wear black polish. She is what was my forever my mood my senior year of HS. “No dark nail polish” shows up in black. “No sneakers” wears ugg slippers to class. “No sweatshirts” wears one everyday.
— Kelly Anne (@kellyFreckles) December 10, 2018
Saw photos of Meghan Markle at the British Fashion Awards she looked beautiful (although as a Duchess I want more bling) Also I’m so happy that someone is breaking that silly nail polish rule. Good on Meghan for not only wearing nail polish that isn’t pink but a bold dark color
— Pepamint83 (@Pepamint83) December 10, 2018
Duchess Meghan was introduced to the stage by ‘Gone Girl’ actress Rosamund Pike and received much applause from the audience as she made her surprise appearance.
Presenting the award to Clare, the Duchess praised the designer’s ‘kindness’.
She said: “I feel especially proud to announce tonight’s winner, who yes is a British designer leading on the global stage with vision and creativity, but also with incredible kindness.
“Which is why when I met her for the first time 11 months ago I knew we would be working very closely together.”
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