Meghan Markle showed she was already setting her own royal fashion trends when she carried out her third official engagement with Prince Harry.

The American actress-turned-royal-fiancee wore different earrings in each ear for her trip to Cardiff.

MadAboutMeghan, who blogs about Ms Markle’s style, branded it “the fashion surprise of the day”, saying: “Meghan mixed it up by wearing a different earring on each ear.”

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle watch a performance during a visit to Cardiff Castle (Ben Birchall/PA)
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle watch a performance during a visit to Cardiff Castle (Ben Birchall/PA)

In her right ear was a tiny, arrow-shaped diamond stud earring by California-based designer Zofia Day, which she wore on the cover of Vanity Fair magazine in October.

In her left ear was a line of three joined gold stars, thought to be Gabriela Artigas’s Triple Shooting Star Earrings, costing around £209 a pair.

Neither the Queen nor the Duchess of Cambridge have been known to “mix it up” by opting for different earrings, keeping it classic instead with matching pairs.

Queen Elizabeth II - in matching earrings - at a CHOGM dinner in Malta (Toby Melville/PA)
Queen Elizabeth II, in matching earrings, at a CHOGM dinner in Malta (Toby Melville/PA)

Ms Markle also stepped out in a Welsh brand for what was thought to be her first visit to Wales, wearing a pair of trousers by The Hiut Denim Company.

The firm is based in Cardigan in west Wales and was set up in a former denim factory which closed after 35 years, leaving 400 people unemployed.

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle during a visit to Cardiff Castle (Ben Birchall/PA)
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle during a visit to Cardiff Castle (Ben Birchall/PA)

The firm says on its website: “That’s why we have started The Hiut Denim Company, to bring manufacturing back home.

“To use all that skill on our doorstep and to breathe new life into our town.”

The company, which said it has a confidentiality agreement with its clients, said it had been inundated with calls since Ms Markle’s appearance.

Meghan Markle meets the crowds during a visit to Cardiff Castle (Ben Birchall/PA)
Meghan Markle meets the crowds during a visit to Cardiff Castle (Ben Birchall/PA)

Ms Markle’s trousers are thought to be the black Dina skinny fit – high-waist jeans which cost £175 and are available for shipment from March onwards – although they will now be expected to sell out.

The American star also wore a long, black £1,350 Stella McCartney tie detail coat with peak lapels, a V-neckline and oversized waist tie.

Ms Markle was carrying a £295 DeMellier Mini Venice handbag in green Forest Grain colour, and was wearing Tabitha Simmons Kiki boots.

Meghan Markle holding her handbag on a walkabout during a visit to Cardiff Castle (PA)
Meghan Markle holding her handbag on a walkabout during the visit (PA)

Underneath her coat, Ms Markle wore a smart off-the-shoulder jacket with a textured yarn-dyed plaid by Theory.

DeMellier handbags support an initiative called A Bag, A Life.

For every bag purchased, the brand funds lifesaving vaccines and treatments aimed at saving the life of a child in need, in collaboration with orphan charity SOS Children’s Villages.

The funds are administered through the charity’s medical programmes in countries such as Somalia and Zambia, where one in six children do not live to see their sixth birthday.