In a narrative that has captivated royal watchers and fueled social media debates, paparazzi and keen-eyed fashion observers have uncovered a pattern of striking similarities between the style choices of Meghan Markle, Duchess of Sussex, and Kate Middleton, Princess of Wales. From tailored outfits to the carefully curated wardrobes of their children, Meghan appears to be drawing inspiration from Kate, leading to accusations of intentional copying. This phenomenon, highlighted through candid photographs and public appearances, has sparked discussions about influence, rivalry, and the pressures of royal fashion in the public eye.
A History of Fashion Comparisons
Since Meghan Markle joined the royal family in 2018, her style has been under constant scrutiny, often compared to that of Kate Middleton, who has been a fashion icon since her 2011 marriage to Prince William. Both women, as two of the most photographed figures globally, have wielded significant influence over fashion trends, with their outfits often selling out within hours—a phenomenon dubbed the “Kate Effect” and later the “Meghan Effect.” However, recent paparazzi captures and social media analyses suggest that Meghan’s fashion choices, both for herself and her children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet, closely mirror Kate’s, prompting speculation about whether this is coincidence, homage, or deliberate imitation.
The comparisons began early in Meghan’s royal tenure. In 2018, at Wimbledon, both Meghan and Kate wore the same Ralph Lauren Capri shirt, albeit in different colorways and years apart, with Meghan sporting it first during a joint appearance with Kate, and Kate revisiting the style in July 2025 for a hospital visit. This moment, among others, set the stage for ongoing debates about their sartorial overlap. Social media platforms like X have been abuzz with side-by-side images, with users noting, “Meghan’s style screams Kate 2.0, from the tailored suits to the kids’ outfits. It’s too obvious to ignore.”
Personal Style: Tailored Looks and Monochrome Elegance
Meghan’s fashion evolution since leaving the royal family in 2020 has drawn particular attention for its parallels with Kate’s polished aesthetic. During her time as a working royal, Meghan looked to Kate for cues on appropriate attire, as noted by personal stylist Melissa Lund, who said, “Meghan will have watched Kate carefully to see what was appropriate.” This influence became more pronounced post-Megxit, with Meghan adopting tailored, monochromatic looks reminiscent of Kate’s signature style.
For instance, in 2022, Meghan wore a black-and-white Gabriela Hearst jumpsuit in New York, strikingly similar to a Roland Mouret gown Kate wore two months earlier at the Top Gun: Maverick premiere. Both outfits featured bold monochrome designs with white strap details, sparking online debates about who inspired whom. Similarly, in 2023, Kate’s blue one-shouldered Jenny Packham gown at the Eurovision Song Contest echoed Meghan’s 2022 NAACP Image Awards dress by Christopher John Rogers, leading some fans to claim Kate was copying Meghan, while others argued the reverse. The debate intensified when Kate’s stylist, Natasha Archer, was found to have followed Meghan’s fashion sources on Instagram, including the fan account @whatmeghanwore and Meghan’s friends like Abigail Spencer, suggesting deliberate research into Meghan’s style.
Meghan’s adoption of tailored pantsuits, a departure from Kate’s earlier preference for coat dresses, also raised eyebrows. In 2019, Kate began incorporating pantsuits and structured tailoring, a shift that coincided with Meghan’s arrival and her love for menswear-inspired looks. A notable example is Meghan’s 2018 Alexander McQueen suit with a pussy-bow shirt, followed by Kate’s 2019 Gucci tie-bow shirt, worn backwards for a trendy twist. Critics on Reddit’s r/SaintMeghanMarkle argued, “Kate’s team saw Meghan’s modern edge and pivoted to keep up. It’s not just coincidence—it’s strategic.”
Children’s Fashion: A Shared Aesthetic
The similarities extend beyond personal style to the wardrobes of their children. Paparazzi photos have captured Archie and Lilibet in outfits that echo those of Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis, suggesting Meghan is emulating Kate’s approach to dressing royal children. In April 2025, Meghan shared an Instagram post featuring Lilibet in a Reiss dress, a brand long favored by Kate for herself and her children, notably Prince George’s Reiss blazer. The Daily Beast reported that Meghan’s choice of Boden for Archie’s outfits mirrored Kate’s go-to children’s designer, prompting comments like, “Meghan’s dressing her kids like little Waleses. It’s like she’s trying to fit into their world.”
A 2024 Christmas card from the Sussexes showed Archie and Lilibet in nautical-themed outfits—striped shirts and neutral cardigans—reminiscent of Kate’s 2017 Poland tour photos with Charlotte in similar styles. Social media users on X noted, “Meghan’s kids look like they stepped out of a Kensington Palace photoshoot. The aesthetic is pure Kate.” These choices contrast with Meghan’s earlier preference for casual, California-inspired looks for Archie, such as Outland Denim, suggesting a shift toward Kate’s classic, British-inspired children’s fashion.
Paparazzi Evidence and Public Reaction
Paparazzi photos have played a crucial role in highlighting these similarities. In 2020, Meghan was photographed in Vancouver with Archie, wearing a camel-colored coat similar to one Kate wore in 2022 in Scarborough. A 2023 paparazzi shot of Meghan in a white maxi dress at a Montecito farmer’s market echoed Kate’s 2016 Barbara Casasola dress, both featuring long sleeves and off-shoulder designs. These candid moments, often shared on platforms like X, have fueled accusations of copying, with one user posting, “Meghan’s wardrobe is like a Kate Middleton mood board. Even the kids’ clothes scream Kensington.”
The public reaction has been polarized. Supporters of Meghan argue that fashion overlap is inevitable given their shared status as public figures and the influence of royal protocol. “Both women are working within the same sartorial framework,” one X user wrote. “It’s not copying—it’s just the royal aesthetic.” Others, however, see Meghan’s choices as a deliberate attempt to emulate Kate’s polished image, particularly as she navigates her post-royal brand. A Reddit thread on r/HarryandMeghanNetflix called it “tactical erasure,” with users claiming, “Meghan’s trying to reclaim the royal spotlight by dressing like Kate and styling her kids the same way.”
Critics also point to Meghan’s investment in brands like Cesta Collective, which she wears to boost sales, as a contrast to Kate’s decision to stop sharing outfit details in 2025 to focus on her charitable work. This shift, reported by the Sunday Times, underscores Kate’s desire to avoid the “paparazzi moment” Meghan has embraced, suggesting a divergence in their approaches to public image. Yet, Meghan’s continued use of Kate-favored brands like Reiss and Boden for her children indicates a strategic alignment with the Waleses’ aesthetic.
The Role of Stylists and Royal Influence
The involvement of stylists adds another layer to the narrative. Kate’s former stylist, Natasha Archer, reportedly followed Meghan’s fashion contacts on Instagram, including Daniel Martin and Mandana Dayani, before unfollowing them in 2025 amid speculation about copying. This fueled claims that Kate’s team was inspired by Meghan’s style, but the reverse also holds true. Meghan’s stylist, Jessica Mulroney, worked to carve out a distinct look for her, focusing on sleek tailoring and muted colors, yet the overlap with Kate’s evolving wardrobe suggests mutual influence. As Vanity Fair noted, Kate helped Meghan navigate royal fashion protocols, which may explain early similarities, but Meghan’s post-royal choices appear to lean heavily on Kate’s established style.
A Complex Narrative of Influence and Identity
The accusations of Meghan copying Kate reflect deeper tensions within the royal narrative. Meghan’s departure from the royal family was partly driven by her desire to forge an independent identity, yet her fashion choices suggest a reliance on Kate’s blueprint for royal elegance. This could be a strategic move to maintain relevance in a royal-adjacent sphere, particularly as Meghan builds her As Ever brand, which emphasizes a California-meets-classic aesthetic seen in Kate’s wardrobe. Conversely, Kate’s shift toward modern tailoring post-2018 has been attributed to Meghan’s influence, suggesting a two-way street of inspiration.
For their children, the similarities may reflect practical choices. Brands like Reiss and Boden are staples for affluent families, offering timeless, durable clothing suitable for public appearances. However, the timing and consistency of Meghan’s choices—often mirroring Kate’s within months—have intensified scrutiny. Paparazzi photos, such as those of Lilibet in a Reiss dress at a 2025 Montecito event, reinforce the perception that Meghan is aligning her family’s image with the Waleses’ polished aesthetic.
Conclusion
The paparazzi’s lens has illuminated a fascinating pattern: Meghan Markle’s style, from her tailored suits to her children’s classic outfits, closely mirrors Kate Middleton’s. Whether this is intentional copying, mutual influence, or a byproduct of shared royal expectations remains a matter of debate. Social media and media outlets have amplified these comparisons, with some seeing Meghan’s choices as a bid to emulate Kate’s revered status, while others view them as inevitable overlaps in a high-profile world. What is clear is that both women continue to shape global fashion trends, their wardrobes serving as a canvas for personal identity and public perception. As the spotlight remains on their every outfit, the question of who inspires whom may never be fully answered, but it undeniably keeps the world watching.
