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Details of a short film screening attended by Meghan Markle in November were released on Wednesday, with a new image showing the duchess moderating a discussion with director and friend Misan Harriman, wearing an elegant pantsuit echoing the business aesthetic recently adopted by sister-in-law, Kate, the Princess of Wales.
Harriman, whose friendship with Meghan was formed prior to her marriage into the royal family, is best known for his work as a photographer and has taken a number of official images of the duchess and her family in the years since their split from the monarchy in 2020.
Harriman made his directorial debut this year with a short film released through streaming platform Netflix, titled The After. The project was released on October 25, during the SAG-AFTRA strike.
On Wednesday, Harriman took to his social media channels to post about a private screening of the film which took place after the strike had ended, on November 15 in Montecito, California.
"Here are some images from a very special screening of The After moderated by the Duchess of Sussex," Harriman posted to his X (formerly Twitter) account. "It was extra special to have her and so many of my film idols watch this film. Thank you for coming to all the guests and @netflix for hosting."
In the photos, Meghan is seen in conversation with Harriman, wearing a chic chocolate brown pantsuit and matching turtleneck sweater.
Meghan's choice of the pantsuit for this industry event comes into contrast with some of her more recent work-wear, which has seen her opt for elegant off-the-shoulder separates for a World Mental Health Day symposium and wardrobe of casual separates for the Invictus Games.
This is not the first time the duchess has worn similar outfits however. Throughout her relationship with Prince Harry, Meghan has worn several pantsuits ranging from sharply tailored Alexander McQueen examples to an oversized vintage style from the house of Valentino.
Pantsuits have been pulled into the royal fashion spotlight in recent months as Meghan's sister-in-law Kate has increasingly adopted the style for working engagements in her new elevated position within the monarchy as Princess of Wales.
Celebrity stylist and fashion expert Miranda Holder previously told Newsweek that Kate's sudden reliance on pantsuits for her official wardrobe is an outward way of showing that she "means business" with her role.
"Kate's look has definitely taken a more serious, business-like mood since she became the Princess of Wales, which reflects the gravitas of her new position within the Royal family as she gets nearer to the throne," Holder said.
"The fun, feminine, flirty Kate who we all fell in love with in her polka-dot tea dresses seems to have been replaced by a new, more heavyweight incarnation.
"In the last six months, trouser suits have most definitely prevailed, whereas before this we were most familiar with the princess in skirts and dresses.
"Indeed, the whole aesthetic is far more formal and occasionally a little austere—it is indeed as if the princess means business."
Like Kate, Meghan's new pantsuit not only highlighted the serious nature of the industry event, but also ensured that the fashion choice didn't overshadow the content of the discussion held on stage for those present.
James Crawford-Smith is Newsweek's royal reporter, based in London. You can find him on X (formerly Twitter) at @jrcrawfordsmith and read his stories on Newsweek's The Royals Facebook page.
Do you have a question about King Charles III, William and Kate, Meghan and Harry, or their family that you would like our experienced royal correspondents to answer? Email royals@newsweek.com. We'd love to hear from you.
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