The internet is still abuzz with the larger than life funeral of Queen Elizabeth II. The longest serving British monarch was laid to rest yesterday at Westminster Abbey. Amidst the myriad of activities going on, a few things were striking in terms of fashion and style, and Meghan Markle had something to say with her appearance. Over the years too, Meghan Markle’s has often given nod to Princess Diana.
The Princess of Wales and the Duchess of Sussex wore jewelry and certain accessories that were subtle tributes to the late Queen. Before yesterday however, both women have also been known to give nods to their mother-in-law with their appearances.
From their passion for humanity and philanthropic endeavors to their down-to-earth demeanors, despite their social status, Meghan Markle and Princess Diana’s personalities parallel one another.
Meghan Markle has often spoken about the importance of keeping Diana’s memory alive, and the duchess is using fashion as a creative, sentimental way to do so. From outfits incorporating the same colour schemes to ensembles that are similar in a multitude of ways, Meghan Markle has elegantly modernized many of the Princess Diana’s most iconic looks. Glamorous gowns, fancy fascinators, striking suits, and even casual clothing have been beautifully reincarnated by Meghan Markle in her most iconic looks inspired by Princess Diana.
With that, we take a look back at a few times the Duchess of Sussex was influenced by the impeccable style of her late mother-in-law, Princess Diana.
Meghan Markle’s Fashion and Princess Diana’s style intersected.
Pink and off shoulders
Diana attended a ballet in Berlin in 1987 wearing a luminescent, baby pink evening gown by Catherine Walker. Nearly 30 years later, Meghan put her own spin on the regal look, keeping the off-the-shoulder style and pale pink tone present in her Caroline Herrara dress and matching fascinator at the 2018 Trooping of Colour ceremony.
Champagne Brocade
Princess Diana wore a stunning white gown and matching bolero designed by Victor Edestein during her first solo trip to the United States in 1989. Meghan gave a modern nod to it in a stunning champagne brocade dress paired with a sleek cream coat by Amanda Wakeley. She wore the metallic number to the 50th anniversary of the investiture of Prince Charles in 2019.
Floral blues.
Princess Diana in Saudi Arabia, 1986 vs Meghan Markle, 2018
Nuptial whites
Princess Diana in Washington vs Meghan Markle on her wedding day.
Royal Purple
In a monochromatic look, Princess Diana attended a dinner at the Chicago Museum of Natural History in 1996 wearing a purple Versace gown with a matching clutch and Jimmy Choo kitten heels. Meghan at the 2019 One Young World charity event, in a purple Aritzia dress and matching pumps by Manolo Blahnik.
Angelic in white
Princess Diana in Australia vs. Meghan Markle in Ascot
Black trench coats
Princess Diana on a boat vs Meghan Markle’s fashion in Cardiff.
Nude coats and hats
Princess Diana in Wales vs Meghan Markle in King’s Lynn
Green dresses and fascinators
In 1983, Princess Diana visited with school children during a visit to a new shopping center at Aylesbury wearing an elegant, forest green skirt and blouse by Caroline Charles, paired with a matching fascinator by John Boyd. Paying homage to Diana’s bold hat and billowing shirtsleeves, Meghan donned a green look of her own in 2020 at Commonwealth Day. Her striking cape dress was designed by Emilia Wickstead, and the matching monochromatic hat is by William Chambers.
Navy blues
Princess Diana in London vs Meghan Markle in Birmingham
Dazzling in White again
At the 1995 VJ Day celebrations, Princess Diana looked regal as ever in a deep navy and white skirt suit by Tomasz Starzewski, paired with a matching fascinator by Philip Somerville. At the 2018 Royal Ascot, Meghan wore a similar colour scheme, looking ethereal in a flowy white Givenchy dress cinched at the waist with a thin black belt, along with a chic black and white fascinator, a black clutch purse, and black kitten heels.
Checkered
On the left: Princess Diana in Scotland. On the right: Meghan Markle in Scotland
Chic in denim
While both Royal women are known for their regal gowns and glitzy ensembles, one of Meghan’s most memorable and beloved Diana-inspired looks is the simple, chic jeans and white button-up outfit she wore at the Invictus Games in 2017. Modeled after the strikingly similar, down-to-earth look Diana wore during a trip to Bosnia in 1997, Meghan recreated the casual ensemble two decades later, donning the Husband Shirt by Misha Nonoo, a pair of jeans from Mother Denim Looker Fray, the Day Market Tote from Everlane, and the Natalie flats by Sarah Flint.
Black roses
Meghan Markle’s fashion for 2019 Remembrance Day was inspired by Princess Diana’s 1984 Remembrance Day ensemble. Both outfits honoring the same occasion. The Duchess wore a belted Stella McCartney coat, black gloves, and a wide-brimmed hat, each apparel item looking very similar to Diana’s 35 years prior.
Moms in red
Holding a newborn Prince Harry in 1984, Princess Diana left the hospital wearing a bright red Jan van Veldon coat with a red and white striped blouse underneath. Duchess Meghan donned a red Valentino cape dress with a similar shape during a trip to Morocco in 2019, additionally nodding to Diana’s striped blouse with her red and white Valentino clutch purse.
Phot credit: AP Photos, Getty Images, Wire Images.