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Meghan Markle and Kate Middleton have shared a number of fashion and accessories designers over their years in the royal spotlight, from Emilia Wickstead and Erdem to Victoria Beckham and Strathberry. One shoe designer among the group has emerged as a firm favorite of the sisters-in-law and royal duchesses—Aquazzura.
As a brand, Aquazzura is known for its towering high heels made in an array of exciting colorways with signature designs that have fast established them shoulder to shoulder with the likes of Jimmy Choo, Manolo Blahnik and Christian Louboutin.
Meghan was the first major British royal to debut a pair of Aquazzura heels which made a statement during her engagement photo call with Prince Harry at Kensington Palace in 2017. From then on, the Duchess of Sussex has worn Aquazzura regularly including during a recent trip to New York City with Prince Harry in July.
Kate made her first public appearance in a pair of Aquazzura nude suede heels during a meeting of G7 leaders in Cornwall last year. Like Meghan, the Duchess of Cambridge has worn the brand regularly since then, including during the Garter Day celebrations at Windsor Castle in June.
Aquazzura was founded in 2011 by the designer Egardo Osorio, a fashion graduate from the prestigious Central Saint Martins school in London. After working at luxury shoe brands around the world, Osorio settled in Florence where he opened Aquazzura and launched his first collection.
The name of the brand was chosen for Osorio's love of the ocean and the varying shades of blue in the waters that surround the island of Carpi in Italy.
Since its launch, the label's designs garnered praise from the fashion press and have won an army of loyal fans, including some of the most famous women on the planet. Lady Gaga, Sarah Jessica Parker and Beyonce have all added Aquazzura designs to their wardrobes.
Meghan and Kate are not the only royals to eagerly wear the brand, Queen Maxima of The Netherlands and Queen Rania of Jordan are also fans, and the label appointed Princess Olympia of Greece and Denmark (a relation of Prince Harry and Prince William) as their first royal brand ambassador last month.
Here, Newsweek looks at some of Meghan and Kate's top Aquazzura fashion moments, from stand-out heels on royal tours to classic styles fit for any occasion.
Meghan: Engagement Photo-call, November 27, 2017
Meghan wore a pair of Aquazzura's "Matilde" pumps in nude suede to announce her engagement. The style features a crisscrossed laced closure and a closed-toe box.
Paired with a typically understated coat and contrasting dress, the shoes were the highlight of Meghan's engagement outfit but did not detract from the real star of the show: her gold and diamond engagement ring made from stones from Princess Diana's collection.
Meghan: Commemorative Concert, September 6, 2018
Meghan debuted a pair of satin evening pumps for a special commemorative concert in London in remembrance of World War I.
For the occasion, the duchess wore a pair of Aquazzura's "Portrait of a Lady" heels in royal blue. The style featured a sling-back with crystal loop embellishments adding a pop of sparkle to the royal's completely blue outfit.
Meghan: Oceania Exhibition Opening, September 25, 2018
For her first solo engagement as a member of the royal family, Meghan attended the opening of the Oceania exhibition at London's Royal Academy and for the occasion dressed in a chic, all-black ensemble.
The duchess selected a pair of Aquazzura's "Bow Tie" pumps which have since become her signature style, owning them in a variety of colors and heel heights.
Meghan: Endeavour Fund Awards, February 7, 2019
To present at the annual Endeavour Fund Awards with Prince Harry in 2019, Meghan wore a couture outfit by the designers of her wedding dress, Givenchy.
She paired her outfit from the fashion house with Aquazzura's statement "Rendez Vous" black and gold suede mules with a sculptural golden closure.
Meghan: Baseball in London, June 29, 2019
When Meghan and Prince Harry attended the Boston Red Sox vs. New York Yankees baseball game held in London in 2019, the royal dressed appropriately for the occasion seeing that she was required to walk out onto the field.
For the game, the duchess looked to her trusted "Bow Tie" style of Aquazzura shoe, but to ensure she didn't sink into the turf, she opted for the flat variation.
Meghan: Lion King Premiere, July 14, 2019
For the premiere of Disney's live-action remake of The Lion King in 2019, Meghan wore an elegant black Jason Wu cocktail dress with a mesh neckline and sleeves.
With this paired back look, the royal chose to wear a statement pair of Aquazzura's "Portrait of a Lady" shoes, this time in black, with the crystal embellishments complimenting her diamond jewelry.
Kate: G7 Meeting, June 11, 2021
The first public occasion that Kate wore a pair of Aquazzura heels came last year and provoked comment as the style selected was the "Bow Tie" shoe so beloved by Meghan.
Kate wore the nude suede variation of the design in June 2021 following the broadcast of Meghan's interview with Oprah Winfrey, in which she confirmed that relations between the two sisters-in-law were not close.
Kate: Jamaica, March 22, 2022
Kate debuted a new pair of statement Aquazzura heels during her tour of the Caribbean with Prince William earlier this year.
The tour required numerous outfit changes for the duchess and for her departure from Belize and arrival on the island of Jamaica, she opted for a pair of Aquazzura's "Cece 105" pumps.
This style in white leather featured gold cutouts and a block closed-toe box, complementing her bright yellow dress.
Kate: Garter Day, June 13, 2022
For Garter Day 2022, the first to be held since 2019 due to the COVID pandemic, Kate wore a bright blue coat-dress ensemble with a statement hat. The royal opted for a pair of shoes similar to another style beloved by Meghan, the "Love Link" heel.
This design is closely allied with the "Portrait of a Lady" style, with a satin upper and sling-back featuring crystal embellishment.
About the writer
James Crawford-Smith is a Newsweek Royal Reporter, based in London, U.K. His focus is reporting on the British royal family ... Read more