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There's a Really Sweet Hidden Meaning Behind Meghan Markle's Flax Cloak

Photo credit: Pool/Samir Hussein - Getty Images
Photo credit: Pool/Samir Hussein - Getty Images

From Cosmopolitan

Yadda, yadda, Meghan Markle is on this royal tour of Australia, Fiji, Tonga, and New Zealand and she looks really good at all times, which you know. What you may NOT know is that while on the final leg of her trip in Rotorua, New Zealand, the Duchess of Sussex was given a cool flax cloak that is full of really cute, sweet meaning.

Photo credit: Dominic Lipinski - PA Images - Getty Images
Photo credit: Dominic Lipinski - PA Images - Getty Images

Her traditional Korowai cape, which she wore over her navy Stella McCartney dress, was made of brown, blue, white, and gold feathers and flax and its creator, Norma Sturley, told Stuff NZ that she "spent weeks" on it.

Sturley is an elder in the Ngati Whakaue tribe from the area, and she had only glowing things to say about Meghan: "We see the duchess as representing strong kaupapa (values) for women-she displays aroha (love), manaakitanga (nurturing & hospitality), mana (influence), dignity and strength, all signs of great leadership."

Photo credit: Dominic Lipinski - PA Images - Getty Images
Photo credit: Dominic Lipinski - PA Images - Getty Images

The cloak was a gift for the duchess, but Sturley stressed that it was also meant for her unborn bb. "The korowai is like a protector, to wrap a korowai around someone is to envelop them in strength, warmth, and aroha (love)."

By the way, Harry had one too and it looked like this:

Photo credit: Dominic Lipinski - PA Images - Getty Images
Photo credit: Dominic Lipinski - PA Images - Getty Images

Meghan's korowai was also filled with symbols from Meghan and Harry's new crest. "The [weaving on the base] represents the coming together of two people and cultures...The duchess's tāniko pattern features three white quills from the coat of arms representing the powers of words and communication, and the Californian sunshine is shown in in the use of rays of gold," Sturley said. "The blue speaks to the separation of Aotearoa and England with the Pacific Ocean, as well as the duchess's links to the Pacific Ocean. The red symbolizes royalty."

Photo credit: Dominic Lipinski - PA Images - Getty Images
Photo credit: Dominic Lipinski - PA Images - Getty Images

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Because Sturley seems like an all-around nice person, she also had more lovely things to say about Meghan: "She has shown you can succeed, make a difference and be your own person while also celebrating your heritage. This inspires us all."