To celebrate International Day of the Girl, The Duchess of Sussex visited Girls Inc. of Greater Santa Barbara, where she participated in fun activities with the girls.
On October 2, 2024, Meghan Markle joined a group of joyful girls to craft friendship bracelets, color, and discuss their online experiences.
While the fun pictures were shared online, many people focused on her outfit, noting it was elegant yet wrinkly.
This inspiring event was organized in a partnership between Girls Inc. of Greater Santa Barbara and #HalfTheStory. 
According to #HalfThe Story, “As part of our partnership, we’re launching a program with pre-teens to help them confidently navigate the digital world. We’re teaching girls how to thrive online with real stories and empowerment.”
Her post was accompanied by a picture of herself posing with Meghan as well as another woman. This photo was shared online by several people who commented on Meghan’s outfit.
The Duchess was in white Anine Bing’s Carrie Trousers and a blue Marie Marot X J. Crew shirt with white collars. She styled her look with a brown belt and beige closed heels with her brunette hair let down.
A user made a post on Meghan’s appearance, stating, “#MeghanMarkle cannot help herself, can she? This was obviously all part of a planned PR Blitz 🤦🏻♀️. Recycling old looks to give nods to old works… please…someone intervene.” They compared her current outfit to a previous occassion, noting that she appeared to have re-worn her trousers.
People commented on this post with one person pointing out the “Wrinkles” on the trousers. Another user questioned, “Has she got those pants on backwards? Dreadful look.” A third chimed in, describing the trousers as a “Wrinkled sloppy mess as usual.”
In a post on X, one more individual assessed Meghan’s outfit, “Despite the wrinkles in the pants, at least the outfit looks halfway decent.”
This prompted a wave of responses, with one person countering, “That outfit looks decent? Come on! There’s nothing flattering or decent about ill-fitting men’s wear.” Another user also felt that the initial assessment was wrong, saying, “Disagree with you on the outfit. No waist. Crumbled trousers.”
Even with the backlash, Meghan and the women she posed with also attracted a flurry of positive reactions, with one person exclaiming, “You all look amazing girls… 🔥🥰❤️❤️❤️” Another user praised them, “Nicely done. You ladies look fabulous ❤️❤️.” A third commenter gushed, “Everything about this picture is perfect and beautiful.”
Meghan Markle is no stranger to social media engagement as she often advocates for the positive use of online spaces. The Archewell Foundation, founded by her, is dedicated to empowering girls globally and safeguarding their safety and well-being in online environments.
Ella Nelson and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex attend the Children’s Hospital Los Angeles Gala 2024 in Los Angeles, California, on October 5, 2024. | Source: Getty Images
In line with this goal, The Archewell Foundation’s financial support for #HalfTheStory will help sustain a strength-based program. Girls in the program will learn important topics like body image, friendships, healthy digital habits, and protection from sexual predators.
