The Duchess of Sussex has deployed some clever fashion diplomacy on her and Prince Harrys royal tour of Southern Africa. The 10-day tour is a plum chance for the couple to reinforce their desired image as hard-working, hands-on game changers (to borrow the concept of Meghans recent British Vogue issue), and theyre making the most of it.

Meghans two-year couture streak peaked last weekend with a $13,200 bejewelled tulle Valentino gown for designer Misha Nonoos wedding (though she paired it with $6 flea-market earrings). But the mandate for this tour wardrobe is clearly affordable, casual and approachable, with nods to ethical production and sustainability, including multiple reworn looks. All the better to keep the focus on the messaging, drawing eyeballs to the pressing social issues of Southern Africa and the organizations working to create positive change.

Still, theres plenty to say about the duchesss outfits. Right out of the gate, she chose a black-and-white printed wrap dress by Mayamiko to discuss the urgent topic of femicide with women of The Justice Desk in Nyanga township, known as South Africas murder capital. The dress checked every possible box: It was made by a collective of artisans in Malawi who hand-dye and manufacture small-batch collections in solar-powered facilities, and it costs about $115. She accessorized with a favourite pair of $130 cloth wedge espadrilles from Spanish brand Castaner.

On day three, Meghan colour co-ordinated with her boys to meet Archbishop Desmond Tutu. Prince Harry wore a slim blue suit and skinny tie;baby Archie was in blue-striped overalls from H&M; and Meghans floaty $380 Club Monaco dress winked toward batik with its abstract navy and white print. The silk dress is one of those brilliant solution items we all need in our travel wardrobes: It would work day through night, it reads as elegant and relaxed at the same time, it looks wrinkle-resistant and probably packs down to nothing. (Not that royals have the same suitcase size and weight restrictions as the rest of us, even when they fly commercial.)

Then there are the repeat pieces. There was the sustainably produced Everlane jumpsuit Meghan wore on a solo visit to Woodstock Exchange, a members club for creative types such as photographers, filmmakers and writers. She was there to meet with female entrepreneurs, as her stated aim this trip is to highlight womens issues. Markle previously wore the jumpsuit in a social media video for the launch of her British Vogue issue; this time she glammed it up with gold statement earrings and Manolo Blahnik pumps. Is there anyone who hasnt looked up the sleek $160 piece and thought, I need that?

Two more re-wears were first seen on the couples first royal tour to Oceania in 2018, when Markle was pregnanthows that for getting more wear out of your maternity wardrobe? Theres the sky-blue Veronica Beard wrap dress, first worn in Tonga, and the striped Martin Grant maxi-dress that we saw on the beach in Sydney. That tour featured much more designer fashion, complete with finery for state dinners, as did the glitzy Givenchy, Dior and Carolina-Herrera-filled Morocco tour. This time out, the pair are reserving most evenings for bed and bath time with Archie.

Meghan, who described herself as a fellow woman of colour in her speech on day one, and who views the world through an American lens, seems especially keen to avoid any hint of colonialism. Clothing can help her do that.

Theyre also working hard to blend in. The two items that really stand out on this trip are wardrobe staples notable because they are rarely seen on a royal. The first was the Madewell jean jacket Meghan wore to meet with Waves for Change, a group of surfers addressing violence among youth with sport and mindfulness practices. Shes had this classic piece since back when she was an actress off-duty in Toronto, not yet dating a prince. For this outing, she paired it with black Mother skinny jeans, an Oxford shirt tucked just-so at the waist, and huarache flats designed by Canada-raised cool girl Aurora James for her African-artisan-made accessories brand Brother Vellies (because sand, and there was dancing to be done).

The other piece that will define this tour was the soft beige headscarf she wore to visit the Auwal Mosque in Bo-Kaap, a predominantly Muslim Cape Town neighbourhood known for its joyfully coloured houses, which have been painted in bright colours since the abolition of slavery in the mid-1850s, prior to which the homes were mandated white. Meghans hair was down, and the scarf tucked just so, framing her face. More importantly, it was a gesture of respect as the couple met with religious leaders.

One accessory we havent seen on this tour is Meghans engagement ring, which features a centre diamond from her late mother-in-law Dianas jewellery collection and two flanking diamonds from Botswana, a country Harry will visit this weekend. The $225,000 ring has been a no-show because, so the rumour in the tabloids goes, Meghan wanted to keep things low-keyshe actually subbed it out for a delicate Jennifer Meyer gold and turquoise stacking ring. And yes, waving around a sparkler of that wattage in poverty-stricken countries would feel show-offy. But then, the ring is as famous as she is, and leaving it at home might be considered a bit insulting.

Meghan and Harry have been using their voices plenty on this this trip, but still, royals chiefly communicate through photographs and actions rather than words, and there is a lot you can say with your clothes. And the stakes are high here. At a time when trade ties and cultural exchange among nations are being thwarted by nationalist populismnot to mention the always-present threat of small-r republican, as in anti-royal, sentimentthe Sussexes have been dispatched by the Queen to shore up ties and pave a new, modern relationship between Britain and the Commonwealth nations, an organization based on colonial ties.

Meghan, who described herself as a fellow woman of colour in her speech on Day one, and who views the world through an American lens, seems especially keen to avoid any hint of colonialism. Clothing can help her do that. After all, one of the strongest ways in which classes and cultures have historically been delineated is by costume. Think of the pith helmet and white safari jacket Melania Trump wore on her own ambassadorial visit to Africa in 2018. That ham-handed choice hailed back to the days of big game hunters, white masters and Black servants, or slaves.

In the end, what is most appealing about Meghans style for this tour, is how normal she looks. She looks like herself, the way she used to before she joined the royal family, hanging out in her neighbourhood with a yoga bag slung over her shoulder and her hair up in a ponytail.

Markle has a hairstylist with her on this tripat the couples own expensewho seems mostly to be doing hard-working buns and relaxed waves. Her makeup has been simple and neutral, but the main beauty message is a healthy glow and a big smile. This is clearly what she likes to do best: talk with real people in a setting where there are no curtsies and first names only.

Leaving the tiara collection at home this time seems to be hitting exactly the mark that was intended. Shes just wearing clothes, regular clothes, and the classic shapes and comfort-forward pieces are giving us mere mortals some great outfit inspo for our own next vacation.

All of Meghan Markle's Africa Tour Looks

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What Meghan Markle Is Saying with Fashion on the Africa Royal Tour - The Kit