Meghan Markle proudly donned a custom-made white Oscar de la Renta gown – which looked nearly identical to her wedding dress – during the ESPYs in California yesterday. 

The Duchess of Sussex, 42, proudly watched on as her husband accepted the prestigious Pat Tillman Award for Service, an honour that has sparked furious backlash and controversy.

And she was nothing short of radiant as she donned a bespoke ensemble that looked strikingly similar to the Stella McCartney second wedding dress that she wore in 2018. 

Both designs look almost identical: both feature a high-neck halter top and a long flowing skirt.

But the only difference between the two is the neckline. Her wedding dress was more fitted, however, the Oscar de la Renta frock she wore yesterday had draped fabric around the neck. 

She paired her crisp white dress with a pair of black heels, specifically the Celine sharp sandals, which retail for around £550. 

It seems Meghan is a fan of being a ‘bridal beauty’ as she has stepped out in multiple gleaming white dresses throughout the years.

Celebrity stylist Rochelle White told FEMAIL: ‘I do think [Meghan] could have done this to show a united front and support [because of the controversial award win]. 

‘It could have been her way of showing [her] love to him and support for the award, not expecting the backlash that he received.’

Rochelle believes that the couple are still in their ‘honeymoon phase,’ adding that Meghan wanted to stand by her husband. 

‘I think they are celebrating their love and the support is there due to the controversy of the award win. 

‘She wants to show a united front, even if that is through fashion statements and items.

‘She tends to wear fitted dresses and tailoring that shows off her style and makes a statement, as I think she knows that everyone’s eyes will be on her.’ 

The former actress has stepped out in white suits, flowing ivory gowns and mini dresses since marrying the Duke of Sussex. 

In their recent quasi-royal trip to Nigeria in May, Meghan was elegant and ethereal in a white St Agni Studio strapless gown.

In Tonga in 2018, Meghan wore a Theia gown with structured capped sleeves and a touch of sparkle on the shoulders.

The same year, she travelled to Australia and wore this simple shift dress by local designer Karen Zee. She then went to New Zealand and wore a glamorous Maggie Marilyn bridal-esque outfit. 

In 2022, Harry and Meghan visited New York and she, again, opted to wear a striking white Louis Vuitton dress.

All of these looks easily look like they could have been plucked from a bridal boutique and certainly wouldn’t look out of place walking down the aisle in a church. 

As Meghan, met and greeted people on the red carpet yesterday  – including her close pal Serena Williams – she showed her new Rodi Cassandra ring. 

The piece of jewellery is 14-karat white, yellow, rose gold and diamonds and retails for a whopping £984.

The mother-of-two also donned her £5,000 gold Cartier Love Bracelet, believed to be a romantic token from Prince Harry. 

Meghan also paired her ivory ensemble with diamond earrings made celebrity jeweller Lorraine Schwartz, which have been subject to speculation. 

The Duchess previously wore a ring by Schwartz – reportedly worth an estimated £45,000 ($62,000) – and the couple denied claims that it was fashioned with diamonds gifted to the couple by a mystery donor in the Middle East.

They said the ring was sourced by a stylist on the shoot directly from the designer and that there was no link to a mystery donor in the Middle East.

But in a spectacular U-turn, they later rolled back the denial, and clarified that they were referring only to a ring on Meghan’s left hand – a £380 ($525) pinky ring from Shiffon, which is meant to represent women’s empowerment.

In 2021, it was claimed Schwartz used the same set of diamonds to create earrings, which the Duchess wore at Trooping the Colour in 2019.

It is unclear whether Meghan received these when she was still a working royal, or after she finished her official duties in early March 2021.

She did not visit the region officially, but there’s always the possibility she made a private trip. Buckingham Palace only publishes a list of gifts received by royals while on duty in the UK or overseas, and there is no public record of Meghan being given any diamonds.  

Meghan put her brunette tresses up in a sophisticated, sleek low bun and opted to wear natural, glowy makeup.

When Harry’s award win was announced yesterday, Meghan rose out of her seat to give her husband a standing ovation, proudly clapping in his honour as he made his way up onto the stage.

The gong, which was named after Pat Tillman, an iconic NFL player who gave up his lucrative career to enlist in the army in the wake of 9/11 before his death in Afghanistan in 2004, has sparked a bitter controversy, with critics arguing that the honour is meant to be given to unsung veterans.

Tillman’s own mother Mary revealed to DailyMail.com last month that she was ‘shocked’ that the ESPYs would ‘select such a controversial and divisive individual to receive the award’, adding that she was not consulted over the decision.

‘There are recipients that are far more fitting. There are individuals working in the veteran community that are doing tremendous things to assist veterans,’ she said.

‘These individuals do not have the money, resources, connections or privilege that Prince Harry has. I feel that those types of individuals should be recognised.’

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Source: Tampa Bay Times