To say that Meghan Markle had quite the year is an understatement. 

In the span of 12 months, the Duchess of Sussex has basked in the glow of being a newlywed, received new patronages and responsibilities as part of her role in the royal family, become a new mum to Archie and faced battles and challenges with the media. 

We’re taking a look back at Meghan’s year through the lens of her outfits, which influenced millions across the globe and shaped the style trends we see today (and will likely see in the year to come). Some months for Meghan ― and Prince Harry, of course ― were busier than others, with days requiring multiple outfit changes. 

January was an exciting month for the duchess. After tying the knot in May 2018 and announcing her pregnancy news in October 2018, the royal dove into her new work with even more gusto in January. Queen Elizabeth II handed over patronages to Meghan, and we saw her stepping out to visit each of them that month. 

In February, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex spent time in Morocco, where Meghan wore a variety of stunning outfits, including a gorgeous blue dress by Carolina Herrera and a silky, bespoke Dior gown. Her Oscar de la Renta dress ― covered in colorful woodland creatures ―  also made headlines during a stop in Bristol earlier that month.

In March, the duchess paid tribute to the victims of the tragic New Zealand shootings and spoke up on International Women’s Day. April was relatively mum, as Meghan was busy preparing to be a new mum. 

Meghan gave birth to Archie Harrison Mountbatten-Windsor in May. The new mum and dad kept the birth itself and subsequent announcement decidedly under wraps, doing things differently than Kate Middleton, Prince William and countless royals before them.

When Meghan finally did appear alongside little Archie to present the new royal to the world, the duchess wore a trench-inspired white dress from Wales Bonner. 

The Duchess of Sussex stepped out for her first public appearance after Archie’s birth at Trooping the Color in June, while still on maternity leave. Later that month, she made a surprise appearance at the Boston Red Sox vs. Yankees game in London, where she and Harry were given two very important pieces of clothing: little jerseys for Archie! 

In July, the former “Suits” actress celebrated Archie’s christening with the rest of the royal family, just before stepping out alongside her sister-in-law, Kate Middleton, for their now-annual trip to Wimbledon.

Just a day later, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex mingled with fellow royalty ― Beyoncé and Jay-Z ― at the European premiere of “The Lion King.” 

Before the month was over, British Vogue revealed that the Duchess of Sussex was behind the iconic September issue of the magazine, becoming the publication’s first guest editor in its 103 years of existence. Meghan selected and featured 15 trailblazing women for the “Forces of Change” issue, not appearing on the cover herself. 

In August, the duchess remained tucked away from the public eye as she finished the rest of her maternity leave and spent time with Harry and baby Archie. 

The following month, Meghan hopped across the pond to sit with Vogue Editor-in-Chief Anna Wintour and watch her dear friend Serena Williams play at the US Open. A few days later, the duchess resumed royal duties once again and made her first official public appearance for the launch of the capsule clothing collection she helped design for one of her patronages, Smart Works.

The rest of the month was busy for the royals, as Meghan and Harry went on a 10-day trip to South Africa. While there, Meghan wore South African labels and rewore lots of clothing she first debuted after announcing she was pregnant during her royal tour of Australia and New Zealand with Harry (sparking more than a few rumors that she may be expecting again). 

In October, the royals’ South Africa tour continued, amid a battle with the press. While there, the two also filmed a special that would air later that month, in which Harry addressed rift rumors with his brother, Prince William, and Meghan spoke about needing time to heal.  

Shortly after the documentary aired, Buckingham Palace confirmed reports that the Duke and Duchess of Sussex were taking time off over the holidays and wouldn’t be spending Christmas with the royal family. While we’ll miss watching Meghan and Harry walk to church on Christmas Day, ease your sorrows by scrolling through more of Meghan’s most memorable outfits below: