It takes a lot to shock London's fashion elite.
At tonight's Fashion Awards, Kendall Jenner's naked Julien MacDonald dress didn't raise one eyebrow, and even the presence of the inimitable Kate Moss barely ruffled feathers.
However, one woman's appearance raised the roof at London's Albert Hall: that of Meghan Markle.
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The Duchess of Sussex, now coming to the end of her second trimester, appeared on stage to a pleasantly surprised audience.
Even after icons such as Kim Jones, Vivienne Westwood and Jerry Hall had already graced the stage, it was the former Suits actress Meghan who truly wowed.
Wearing her hair in an uncharacteristically sleek bun, as well as an asymmetrical, black Givenchy gown, the mother-to-be looked chic and radiant.
'Good evening everyone,' the 37-year-old Californian said to the eager crowd, 'it is such a pleasure to be here.'
She was there to present the award for British Designer of the Year Womenswear Award to Clare Waight Keller for Givenchy.
The designer thanked Meghan personally in her speech at the star-studded awards ceremony.
'This woman is so amazing,' she said, 'I got to know Meghan on such a personal level. To have someone like that trust you on such a personal moment in their life... I can't thank you enough because it was the most beautiful moment.'
If case you've been hiding under a rock since May, Waight Keller notably created Meghan's first wedding gown for her marriage to Prince Harry.
The boat neck dress was paired with a train that featured flowers from every country in the commonwealth, as well as a piece of fabric from the dress she wore on her first date with her future husband.
In the week after the Duchess donned the gown, sales were up over 300 per cent for the French fashion house at Net-A-Porter.
As well as being an important figure in Givenchy's recent successes, the pregnant Royal has quickly become one of British fashion's most bankable celebrities, with her impact on small businesses such as Hiut, movements such as sustainability and a popularisation of a more sleek, conservative style being insurmountable.
No wonder the fashion crowd loved her this evening.
Elsewhere at the BFAs tonight, Victoria Beckham made sure she led the glamour on the red carpet.
The fashion designer, 44, who was nominated for the British Designer of the Year Womenswear award, looked effortlessly chic in a black high-neck flowy chiffon jumpsuit.
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Daisy Murray is the Digital Fashion Editor at ELLE UK, spotlighting emerging designers, sustainable shopping, and celebrity style. Since joining in 2016 as an editorial intern, Daisy has run the gamut of fashion journalism - interviewing Molly Goddard backstage at London Fashion Week, investigating the power of androgynous dressing and celebrating the joys of vintage shopping.
