In a fashion moment that has sparked intrigue, Meghan Markle has once again found herself facing accusations of style imitation.
This time, eyes are drawn to her choice at a recent event in New York City, where she donned a houndstooth skirt reminiscent of pieces worn by both her mother-in-law, Princess Diana, and sister-in-law, Kate Middleton.
Fashion enthusiasts were quick to connect the dots as they observed the striking similarities in designs across generations.
During her attendance at the Broadway revival of Gypsy, Markle paired a long-sleeved shirt from Veronica Beard with a stylish Carolina Herrera skirt.
The specific houndstooth pattern echoed a similar look from Diana, who famously wore a comparable ensemble at Princess Eugenie‘s christening back in 1990, completing her outfit with a vibrant red Moschino blazer.
Meanwhile, Middleton has made her mark with the same pattern, wearing a bold red Catherine Walker coat during a rugby match in early 2023.
This isn’t just a passing style note; the houndstooth pattern has proven to be a staple in Diana’s wardrobe over the years.
Page Six highlighted that as far back as 1987, Diana made a bold statement in a standout houndstooth blazer during a visit to Munich.
Additionally, she sported a patterned skirt during a Toronto visit in 1991.
It seems this beloved print also has roots in the history of royal fashion—the late Queen Elizabeth II herself wore a houndstooth skirt during a trip to Turkey in 1971.
Markle’s affinity for Diana’s fashion choices is hardly a new development.
For instance, she posted a seemingly exact replica of a Northwestern t-shirt that Diana wore back in 1996—a meaningful coincidence, especially since Meghan graduated from that very university in 2003.
She embraced this royal style further with a stunning black Givency pantsuit during a trip to Ireland, channeling the late Princess’s fashion flair.
On another occasion at the recent Invictus Games, Markle appeared in an outfit that seemed to fuse her style with those of Diana and Middleton.
The Duchess of Sussex was spotted sporting a fashionable menswear-inspired look that mirrored a distinct jacket trend associated with both royal women.
With a classic navy blue knit sweater paired with tailored slacks and a sleek slate gray blazer, she certainly captured attention, yet the parallels to the past were unmistakable.
Notably, Markle’s blazer bore an uncanny resemblance to a Smythe piece worn by Kate during a visit to Essex in 2018.
Both jackets featured similar design elements, including accented lapels and a comparable textured print.
This trend of merging past influences with contemporary fashion seemed to be a hallmark moment for the Duchess, showing how family style legacies can coexist.
Stepping back into history, it’s fascinating to note that Princess Diana first popularized this tailored look decades ago during a charity visit in 1984.
Her take on the classic English tweed coat was revolutionary for the time, setting a benchmark for future royal fashion.
Both Kate and Meghan have cleverly adapted these styles to their own wardrobes, each putting their own modern twist on Diana’s iconic looks.
The spotlight on Markle not only hints at a fashion homage but also raises questions about her approach to royal attire.
While the Duchess of Sussex typically embraces a more muted color palette, opting for subtle luxury, her recent choices suggest she may be leaning into the royal fashion legacy with increased regularity.
Marginalizing differences between the sisters-in-law, Kate holds a strong preference for traditionally regal attire, often adorned with jewel tones and embellished coats.
Meanwhile, Markle’s sleek, understated looks hint at a personal narrative wrapped in both modernity and royal tradition—an attempt to carve her niche while respecting her family’s fashion history.
Fashion critics and royal watchers often wonder how Markle reconciles her sense of identity with that of the royal family.
Despite her claims of not thoroughly researching her royal family ties before marrying Prince Harry, savvy observers have noted echoes of Diana in her outfits going back to as early as 2012.
This stylistic connection to Diana transcends mere coincidence, prompting discussions around inspiration and the idea of legacy in fashion.
While Markle has expressed her intention to stay true to herself, the undeniable overlap with iconic royal styles creates a thrilling chapter in modern royal fashion.
It entertains the notion that trends in style can create a bridge between the past and the present, reaffirming the fact that fashion is indeed cyclical, where one generation’s choices may influence another in the most intriguing ways.
