Meghan steps out with Scottish bag

1 December 2017, 15:07 | Updated: 1 December 2017, 15:16

A small Scottish handbag label has said its staff are "thrilled and honoured" that Meghan Markle chose to carry one of their bags on her first royal engagement.

Prince Harry's future wife carried a £455 Strathberry tri-colour leather midi tote with dual top handles during the couple's visit to Nottingham on Friday.

Strathberry is based in Edinburgh and was founded just four years ago in 2013.

Its luxury leather products, which are handcrafted in Spain, are defined by its ''clean lines and signature bar closure'', the firm's website says.

A Strathberry spokeswoman said: "We are thrilled and honoured to see Meghan Markle carrying our Strathberry Midi Tote in Tri-Colour Burgundy/Navy/Vanilla.

"We are delighted at the news of her and Prince Harry's engagement and wish them all the best for this exciting period.

"It was a fantastic surprise to see that Meghan selected one of our core Strathberry styles to carry on her first royal engagement."

It remains to be seen what impact Ms Markle carrying the bag will have on Strathberry sales, but the so-called Meghan effect has already provided a boost for another accessories company.

London based Finlay & Co, founded by David Lochhead from Aberdeen and Dane Butler from Hampshire, sold out of their Percy sunglasses after Ms Markle wore a pair at the Invictus games in September and has seen a 1000% increase in website sales.

On the Nottingham visit Prince Harry's future wife wrapped up against the cold in the double-breasted, cashmere wool blend 'Elodie' coat, with classic epaulettes and buttoned cuff.

The American actress-turned royal fiancee has long been a fan of Mackage - whose outerwear has also been worn by the pop star Madonna.

Mackage's signature tailored coats have also been spotted on the likes of Gwyneth Paltrow, Halle Berry, Eva Mendes and Blake Lively.

Launched by design duo and school friends Eran Elfassy and Elisa Dahan in 1999, Mackage prides itself on offering outwear with a "unique balance between fashion and function".

"Mackage is a luxe Canadian brand that every fashionista loves," one fashion site said.

The 'Elodie' costs around £585 and @meghansfashion, who blogs about Ms Markle's style, said the coat is a sold-out design.

She wore the coat over what was thought to be a beige cotton full midi skirt from British-based luxury fashion label Joseph, priced at around £595, and a black turtleneck by Wolford.

Braving the chilly weather without gloves during a walkabout in Nottingham, Ms Markle's sparkling diamond engagement ring, designed by Harry, was on show.

The Queen is well known for wearing gloves - either white or black ones - when out and about shaking hands with the public on royal engagements.

While the monarch is famed for her classic handbags, and rarely seen in public without one, the Duchess of Cambridge rarely does so on official visits.

For years, the Queen has turned to Walsall-based firm Launer to craft her must-have accessory.

Fashion firm @sosandar noted how Ms Markle outfit co-ordinated with Harry's long navy blue coat.

"How cute! #PrinceHarryAndMeghan are matching in something blue at their first #royalengagement today," they said.

There was other praise for the future royal's fashion style. @moniquejessen tweeted: "Fab (and warm!) outfit today for Meghan Markle", while @CosmopolitanUK magazine declared: "Forget the coat, we want Meghan Markle's handbag".