The powerful meaning behind Meghan and Harry's Times Magazine cover outfits

(Image credit: 2020 Karwai Tang)

Meghan Markle and Prince Harry were yesterday named on TIME Magazine’s 100 list as two of its most influential people. It also marked the first time the couple has officially made the cover of a magazine - which incidentally fell on Prince Harry's 37th birthday.

The invited invited photographer Pari Dukovic into what looks to be their Montecito home for the shoot, and pictures show the Sussexes looking striking in some pretty statement power poses.

On the cover, Meghan wears a chic silk white shirt paired with tailored trousers in the same hue, while Prince Harry wears a dark polo neck jumper and trousers. The contrast in colours purposefully throws the focus on the Duchess.

He is also standing behind her and leaning on her, clearly letting his powerful wife shine.

They were dressed by celebrity stylists Nina and Clare Hallworth, whose clientele includes Brad Pitt and Jennifer Aniston. According to Dilys Ng, photo editor of Time100, the cover photograph 'captures their powerful dynamics as equal partners'.

A photo posted by on

This is all the more apparent in the other photos inside the magazine, which show them in matching moss green ensembles, emphasising them as equals.

A photo posted by on

For this second look, Meghan chose an outfit by The Row, a cult fashion label designed by fellow Californians Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen.

The Duchess also paid a subtle tribute to Princess Diana on the cover, by wearing her Cartier Tank Francaise watch. It was the first expensive gift she bought herself with her Suits pay check, and she hopes to gift it to her own daughter some day.

It was also Princess Diana's favourite watch, and though it was meant for Prince William, he swapped it for the engagement ring Kate now wears, which was meant for Prince Harry's future wife.

It's not known whether Meghan is actually wearing her own watch, or Princess Diana's, as they are the same, but either way, it's a lovely nod to the late Princess.

Penny Goldstone

Penny Goldstone is the Digital Fashion Editor at Marie Claire, covering everything from catwalk trends to royal fashion and the latest high street and Instagram must-haves.

Penny grew up in France and studied languages and law at the Sorbonne Nouvelle University in Paris before moving to the UK for her MA in multimedia journalism at Bournemouth University. She moved to the UK permanently and has never looked back (though she does go back regularly to stock up on cheese and wine).

Although she's always loved fashion - she used to create scrapbooks of her favourite trends and looks, including Sienna Miller and Kate Moss' boho phase - her first job was at MoneySavingExpert.com, sourcing the best deals for everything from restaurants to designer sales.

However she quit after two years to follow her true passion, fashion journalism, and after many years of internships and freelance stints at magazines including Red, Cosmopolitan, Stylist and Good Housekeeping, landed her dream job as the Digital Fashion Editor at Marie Claire UK.

Her favourite part of the job is discovering new brands and meeting designers, and travelling the world to attend events and fashion shows. Seeing her first Chanel runway IRL at Paris Fashion Week was a true pinch-me moment.