Meghan Markle Wore a Tuxedo Dress on a Date Night With Prince Harry at Hamilton

Meghan Markle knows how to make an entrance. Exhibit A: Her wedding. Exhibit B: Prince Harrry’s friend Charlie van Straubenzee’s recent wedding. Exhibit C: Her reentry into the public spotlight since hibernating post-Straubenzee’s wedding. Markle and Prince Harry stepped out today for a date night and the look she wore to it is already iconic.

While taking in the hit play Hamilton in London’s West End, Markle looked stunning in a black tuxedo dress. The choice was perfect for not only the occasion but her position as a royal set on modernizing the monarchy. It’s at once traditional and progressive. The fact that she’s wearing an item of clothing long worn by royal men, but given a feminist twist, makes it all the notable, considering her passion for feminism and Prince Harry’s, as well. (Recall back in January Markle revealed to a fan that “‘He’s a feminist too,’ so there’s that.”)

Markle paired her $595 Judith & Charles tuxedo gown — which Prince Harry coordinated with in an all-black suit and tie look) — a black and gold clutch, gold earrings, black pumps, and an updo. She also wore a pair of modern gold earrings by jeweler Shaun Leane, which definitely didn’t hail from the royal jewelry collection. “They are very sexy and there’s something quite tribal about them – that’s where my inspiration came from,” as the designer told People.“I think Meghan is very bold and daring — she’s obviously open to exploring different ways of wearing pieces and she’s breaking traditions.”

It’s that measured, sartorial risk-taking that has in part won Markle such an avid following. At the same time, though, the interest in Markle has been so enormous that it’s made her and Prince Harry retreat into their private lives. A day before her last public appearance at Prince Harry’s friend’s wedding, royal expert Katie Nicholl reported that the pair would be taking a breather from their fame. “He worries there is too much hysteria around Meghan and he wants to row back a bit,” a source told Nicholl. Instead, they’ve been having a “low-key and very domesticated start to married life” at the Great Tew Estate in the Cotswolds. Clearly that refresher did them good.