When Prince Harry's stunning new fiancée Meghan Markle worked the crowd during the happy couple's first joint royal engagement in Nottingham on 1 December, all eyes were on the stunning former Suits actress, and of course, her outfit! One of the items that went viral instantly was the actress's gorgeous Strathberry handbag. The plush tote, priced at £495, comes in a variety of shades but Meghan opted for a rich burgundy, which sold out in an incredible 11 minutes after the photos surfaced. HELLO! spoke to owner of Strathberry, Leeanne Hundleby, who gave us the lowdown on the 'Meghan' effect and how it was a total surprise to see the actress carrying their handbag.
Meghan sent Strathberry's sales soaring
Revealing how she felt when she discovered Meghan had been pictured with the bag, Leeanne said: "We had no idea Meghan would be wearing the bag in Nottingham. We first realised something was going on when people started to call the office and ask if Meghan was carrying our bag."
Leeanne and her team were "thrilled and honoured" that Meghan chose their accessory for her 1 December outing. Enquiries started immediately and the phone has "never stopped ringing". The brand discovered that a whopping 3,500 shoppers signed up for stock updates on the Tri midi tote - and a pre-order for shipment is scheduled for the end of January 2018.
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The response to the bag has been "phenomenal" for the Edinburgh-based brand, and Strathberry has been mentioned all over the world, in over 1,500 news articles globally in just under two weeks! Prince Harry's wife-to-be has definitely helped launch the company worldwide. Despite the fact the brand were already beginning to take the brand internationally, Meghan has opened it up to a wider audience.
The stunning bag retails at £495
It has been widely reported that the 'Meghan effect' is in full-force, with many brands recognising her selling-power. Leeanne is a huge admirer of Meghan and what makes her sparkle:
"In many ways she offers the complete package. She looks amazing, is super sophisticated and chic, and she is bright, clever and articulate"
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Strathberry has an impressive celebrity client fanbase, including Julianne Hough, Olivia Culpo and Margot Robbie. Since Meghan carried the statement tote, the company have had to take on an extra 6 staff to keep up with increasing demands!