Meghan Markle takes part in a ‘hongi’ wearing a fitted black Givenchy dress

REUTERS/Henry Nicholls
REUTERS/Henry Nicholls

While being introduced to a Maori guest at the opening of ‘Oceania’ at the Royal Academy of Arts, Meghan Markle did a ‘hongi’ a traditional greeting of rubbing noses.

The Duchess of Sussex, Meghan Markle, attended the opening of the ‘Oceania’ at the Royal Academy of Arts on Tuesday, her first solo engagement unaccompanied by husband Prince Harry. The exhibit featured some 200 artifacts from Melanesia, Micronesia and Polynesia, a huge ocean area encompassing New Guinea, Easter Island, Hawaii and New Zealand.

This, as Markle gears up for her tour Down Under with Prince Harry, next month.

Britain’s Meghan Markle, the Duchess of Sussex, arrives at the opening of ‘Oceania’ at the Royal Academy of Arts in London, Britain September 25, 2018. REUTERS/Henry Nicholls

She wore a fitted black dress by her wedding dress designer Givenchy and carried a matching clucth bag.

The French fashion brand, of which the royal wedding dress designer Clare Waight Keller is artistic director, has proved to be a firm favourite in the royal wardrobe.

Meghan performed a hongi with several of her hosts, including New Zealand’s high commissioner Sir Jerry Mateparae and his wife Janine.

Just before she left, she did the same again with performers from Ngati Ranana, the London Maori Club, who had entertained the royal party with a waiata or song.

It was not, however, her first hongi. That came in April this year when she and Harry attended a dawn service on Anzac Day in London to commemorate Australian and New Zealand war dead. 

Markle viewed many of the 200 artifacts on display and told New Zealand video artist Lisa Reihani “It’s so special. It’s spectacular.”

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