M&S back in the fashion game after Meghan Markle's £45 jumper sells out in under two hours

Meghan Markle and husband-to-be Prince Harry marked their second royal engagement together with a visit to a local radio station in Brixton earlier this week.

And with bustling crowds desperate to catch a glimpse of the Suits actress, the 36-year-old appeared to blush amidst the mass media attention.

So it will no doubt come as even more of a surprise to the princess-in-waiting to learn that the Marks and Spencer jumper she donned for the momentous occasion sold out within a mere matter of two hours.

For the trip to Reprezent Radio on Tuesday 9th January, Meghan recycled her go-to coat by Canadian designer Smythe (before you check, know it’s already sold out) and teamed the look with a pair of wide-legged Burberry trousers and a tie-dye scarf by Jigsaw.

But it was the royal-to-be’s bell-sleeved knit which garnered the most interest, as the £45 garment fell under the spell of the ‘Meghan Markle Effect’.

And the royal stamp of approval will no doubt help boost the high street retailer’s flailing image.

Back in December, it was announced that M&S fell victim to a 2.8 percent fall in like-for-like sales in its clothing division over the Christmas period.

And Sir Charlie Mayfield, chairman of the partnership which owns the department store, even warned that trading would remain ‘volatile’ for the year ahead.

But this season’s most influential fashion muse may have given the high street chain the oomph needed to diminish its old school image.

Similarly, back in 2012 M&S reaped the benefits of the ‘Kate Middleton Effect‘ as the brand reportedly sold one pair of Duchess of Cambridge-inspired court shoes every two minutes.

And if you’re hoping to seek sartorial inspiration from Meghan this season then you’re in luck, as word has it that the highly-coveted M&S jumper is finally back in stock.

So, what are you waiting for?

Want more of Meghan’s style? The royal-in-waiting is set to make her third public appearance – this time in Cardiff – on 18 January 2018. Watch this space.

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