in Stella (l) and Givenchy (r)

And so here we are. At first I thought maybe the one on the right was purple, but it's not; you'll see other photos that confirm it's navy. It isn't the same SHADE of navy, but I'm okay with not splitting that hair. I still don't understand the planning here.

In Givenchy

I'm going to start with this because as I was finishing this post last night, stories started rolling in about the SCANDALE!!! of Meghan's SEE-THROUGH DRESSS!! where she ran around with her KNICKERS SHOWING!!! Which... Do we think that's really see-through, or that it's just an optical illusion created by the line of a) the seams above where the pleats begin, b) the two-tone skirt, and c) what appears to be slightly shiny stretch knit? Or am I just crazy? I just... CANNOT IMAGINE this is an actual flash of undercrackers. Maybe? Either way, the outlets accusing her of trapsing around in a see-through dress as it was careless or deliberate are LUNATICS. Because IF that is truly an underwear line, then you can at least tell that in 99 percent of lighting scenarios this would look opaque as can be. There is no way this is a YEE-HAW CHECK OUT MY PANTS situation. Also, I love that skirt. The end.

Backing up: I don't adore the Stella. Meghan really likes frocks that either DO, or APPEAR to, have extra seams or fabric on one side. This is fine but not great, but a wise choice because it lets her beautiul cloak stand out. I'm not faulting the color palette, for sure. Let me try to be informative: Rotorua is a lake town with deep Maori roots, so Meghan and Harry were greeted with a formal pōwhiri. They also wore feathered Korowai cloaks, which are woven in a style unique to New Zealand, per my old friend the Internet. 

This is a better look at her Korowai, which was given to her as a symbolic gift of protection to the baby --  though I don't know if they mean "give it to keep," or that she otherwise wouldn't have worn one at the ceremony today. 

This is a better look at both the earrings and the necklace. In another nifty detail, Meghan supposedly asked to be shown to the kitchens so that she could meet the village women who'd be cooking, and assist them. That is VERY on-brand with her, after the Grenfell cookbook project. I hope she got to stir a few pots.

"Thank GOD I got this pedicure," Meghan thinks, "because you know some long lens is going to go straight for my feet." And so it did, but I didn't license that photo. Leave the lady's feet alone.

I cannot resist showing you the inside of a building, AND THUS. But if you want a really detailed recap of the welcome and who was present, the New Zealand Herald basically live-blogged it.

I mean. THE CEILING. I grew up with a mother who told me all about intricate workmanship in architecture, and I was bored until I grew up into an actual person, and now I am someone who does that to my kids. Who also probably don't care. SOMEDAY, BOYS.

"Ohhh, William. Do I give this to George, or save it for Louis? Charlotte would just take it into her alchemy lab and turn it into precious metals."

Oh, and in fact, these are the steam boxes they used to make part of the meal -- they're a thermal cooking method. So Meghan DID at least get her tour. I wonder if they let her help.

What a location. The blue of that skiy is unreal. It's actually almost the color of Meghan's Safiyaa dress.

And now to the National Kiwi Hatchery at Rainbow Springs. Harry also changed, so it's not like Meghan was alone in that, and of course it makes me nuts that he's in brown shoes and a black shirt and khakis. She looks polished as hell and he looks like he's her university tour guide.

Prince Harry and Meghan Duchess of Sussex tour of New Zealand - 31 Oct 2018

This was the shot where I really was like, "WAIT A MINUTE, that's not the same skirt." It also drapes beautifully when one is squatting in front of a hatchling exhibit, so if you're ever in that position on a Givenchy budget, GO FOR IT. I really like this outfit. It honestly deserved to stand on its own a bit; I wish she'd been able to wear it to a full slate of events.

AHA, LOOK, a better shot of this came in and I'm adding it at the last minute. I like the skirt a lot. Obviously it's a more casual tone than the first dress. Again: I just don't get why the planning couldn't have plonked a different frock here, and this one elsewhere in the lineup.

Harry seems DEEPLY skeptical of the chicks. They got to name them, and they chose "Gift" and "Sneeze." Now, before you start freaking out about their taste in names, they chose the Maori words for those, taken from an expression "the sneeze of life," which means essentially, "the right to speak."

Aw. These two are going to be GOOD at reading books to the Sussexlet.

That is a GOOD hug. At her event the other day, Kate said something -- to a child hugging her -- about how hugs are important and she's constantly telling her kids that. Methinks Meghan will too.

"No, no, it's 'One, two, three, four, I declare...' No, mate, you have to... look, no offense but you are crap at Thumb War."

This made me laugh. WE HAVE ALL BEEN THERE.

Harry's outfit change makes more sense in the context of Meghan adding black jeans and a black jacket (which I don't love with the blue sweater, if I'm being honest). However, did I choose this photo because it looks like Meghan is giggling at Harry nearly whacking himself in the face with tree leaves? Yes. Yes I did. ** Adding that apparently Meghan borrowed Harry's jacket for this. She HAD other jackets on this trip, but maybe she wanted black to go with the jeans, or they packed them all and shipped them home and then it turned out to be chilly in the park. Regardless, that's why it looks big. I find that sort of cute, that he insisted she take his.

I know there is a height difference, but you really notice it in this photo.

This is like Abbey Road, but up in the air, and not in England, or with musicians, and the wrong number of people. But otherwise totally the same.

"Let's do it, love. Let's finally put in a water feature."

"Under George's pillow, I think, yes?"

Piano picture!

Bye, you two! Thanks for the memories. Megs, I know we were hard on the clothes sometimes, but it's just because we have seen the greatness of which you are capable and now we're spoiled for more. If it makes you feel any better, I am wearing a sweater that makes me look pregnant and some Mother jeans that might not fit anymore, but TOMORROW IS A NEW DAY FOR US ALL. Happy travels!

Royal Tour: Meghan Puzzles Us To The Very End

This is the end, my only friend, the end.