Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex, chose a form-fitting cream dress by an Australian designer for the first official engagement of her royal tour alongside husband Prince Harry.
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Sydney-based designer Karen Gee says it was a "wonderful surprise" to see Meghan wearing her 'Blessed' shift dress on the lawn of Admiralty House on Tuesday.
"I can't describe it as anything other than an honour for the brand to be recognised by someone who really exemplifies our values and the epitome of modern glamour," Ms Gee said in a statement to AAP.
"What was so humbling is that there's so many great designers out there to choose from, so it was a thrill for us to see Meghan wearing Karen Gee."
She said she had sent the dress to the duchess but did not know if she would wear it.
The mother of five started her business five years ago to offer women the chance to customise dresses to their body shape. Each of her dresses is made-to-order in Australia.
Within moments of Meghan stepping out in the $1800 dress the Karen Gee website crashed.
With Sydney's overcast weather Meghan wisely covered the dress with a camel trench coat for her encounter with a koala at Taronga Zoo, leaving the jacket on for her public walkabout at the Sydney Opera House.
Seasoned royal watchers also noticed Meghan was wearing gold butterfly earings and matching bracelet from Princess Diana's jewellery collection.
She later changed into a dark olive shirt dress with a full skirt by American designer Brandon Maxwell for an afternoon reception at Admiralty House.
Meghan is expected to wear a range of Australian designers during her visit to Australia, which will also take in Dubbo, Melbourne and Queensland's Fraser Island.
Brands including Alex Perry, Camilla and Marc, Carla Zampatti, Scanlan Theodore, Rebecca Vallance and Zimmermann are rumoured to be dressing the former actress.
Australian Associated Press
