Meghan Markle was among the celebrities who attended The Paley Honors event paying tribute to her friend Tyler Perry. The Duchess of Sussex opted for a simple yet elegant look with help from her stylist.
On December 4, 2024, Meghan Markle appeared without her husband, Prince Harry, at The Paley Center for Media. For the occasion, the Duchess wore a black strapless dress that garnered significant commentary from netizens.
Meghan Markle at The Paley Center for Media's Paley Honors Fall Gala Honoring Tyler Perry on December 4, 2024, in Beverly Hills, California | Source: Getty Images
The event, held at The Beverly Wilshire Hotel in Beverly Hills, California, was the Paley Honors Fall Gala, where Tyler Perry was recognized for his achievements. Images of Markle alongside Perry prompted reactions online.
Meghan Markle at The Paley Center for Media's Paley Honors Fall Gala Honoring Tyler Perry on December 4, 2024, in Beverly Hills, California | Source: Getty Images
One Instagram user asked, "Who is she and why is she sewing her own clothes. This black dress is so baggy. 😂." Responding to the previous comment, another netizen wrote, "It doesn't matter what she wears. It will always look like she's wearing a rag🤮🤮🤮🤮."
A third commenter weighed in on her dress, saying, "She is beautiful, but that dress is just frumpy. Wish I could dress her 😂." After seeing various photos of Markle in the gown, an Instagram user criticized it, "Not a classy dress at all!!!!!"
Responding to the post's claim that the Duchess was "glowing," one netizen questioned, "Glowing where? 🤔 She looked untidy." Shifting the focus to her hairstyle, another commenter remarked, "Look at that unkept hair the same Messy bun person! [sic]"
Meghan Markle at The Paley Center for Media's Paley Honors Fall Gala Honoring Tyler Perry on December 4, 2024, in Beverly Hills, California | Source: Getty Images
On Reddit, opinions were similar, with one user saying, "She’s beautiful.. but unfortunately her fashion choices are always falls flat in my opinion. [sic]" The Reddit user elaborated, "This dress is too loose on her, make her body shapeless and a little too long for her height. A good tailoring will show her slim figure better. Hopefully she gets a stylist soon. [sic]"
Meghan Markle at The Paley Center for Media's Paley Honors Fall Gala Honoring Tyler Perry on December 4, 2024, in Beverly Hills, California | Source: Getty Images
Another user shared similar thoughts, commenting, "She's so beautiful, but I feel like her dresses are often tailored a little loose. Maybe she just likes the extra room, but I just don't like how droopy the bodice looks in the second picture."
Meghan Markle at The Paley Center for Media's Paley Honors Fall Gala Honoring Tyler Perry on December 4, 2024, in Beverly Hills, California | Source: Getty Images
A different individual added, "She needs to chill with the weird strapless outfits. She looks greasy and haggard. The poses are also super distracting — I don't get the girlish poses from a 40+ year old." However, not all reactions were negative.
Meghan Markle at The Paley Center for Media's Paley Honors Fall Gala Honoring Tyler Perry on December 4, 2024, in Beverly Hills, California | Source: Getty Images
On TikTok, a user who watched a video of Markle posing with Perry and Maureen Reidy, the President and CEO of The Paley Center for Media, wrote, "She looks so beautiful!!!!❤️❤️." Another person added, "Stunning! ❤️," while a third commented, "Meghan [is] beautiful inside and out ❤️."
Reports reveal that Markle does, in fact, have a stylist — Jamie Mizrahi. The dress she wore is an Old Hollywood-inspired strapless black gown designed by Oscar de la Renta. It features a sweetheart neckline and was crafted from dark fabric.
Meghan Markle at The Paley Center for Media's Paley Honors Fall Gala Honoring Tyler Perry on December 4, 2024, in Beverly Hills, California | Source: Getty Images
The gown also included an exaggerated slit in the skirt. Markle complemented the neckline by styling her hair into a simple teased bun, leaving some tendrils to frame her face. She accessorized with jewelry by Lorraine Schwartz and Engender and wore Celine heels.
Meghan Markle at The Paley Center for Media's Paley Honors Fall Gala Honoring Tyler Perry on December 4, 2024, in Beverly Hills, California | Source: Getty Images
The Duchess of Sussex and her husband share a close friendship with Perry, who reached out to her after she married the prince. He assured her he would pray for her, adding that he "understood what this meant," acknowledging the weight she carried as a new royal.
Meghan Markle and Tyler Perry at The Paley Center for Media's Paley Honors Fall Gala Honoring Perry on December 4, 2024, in Beverly Hills, California | Source: Getty Images
Perry later said, "He could only imagine what it was like," and advised Markle to contact him if she ever needed support. Although it took her some time to reach out, when she did, she confided in him about the struggles she and Harry faced while living in Canada.
Meghan Markle and Tyler Perry at The Paley Center for Media's Paley Honors Fall Gala Honoring Perry on December 4, 2024, in Beverly Hills, California | Source: Getty Images
She revealed, "Sometimes, you can tell your life story to a stranger on a plane as opposed to some of the people that are closest to you." During their time in Canada, Perry offered them his Beverly Hills mansion as a safe haven.
Meghan Markle and Tyler Perry at The Paley Center for Media's Paley Honors Fall Gala Honoring Perry on December 4, 2024, in Beverly Hills, California | Source: Getty Images
He provided not only his home but also security detail, ultimately becoming instrumental in the couple's relocation to Southern California to start their new lives. In the sitting room of Meghan Markle's house is a grand piano that he gifted them as a housewarming present, telling them, "Write the soundtrack for your life."
