Princess Diana and Duchess Meghan Markle are arguably (and perhaps controversially) the most beloved women in the Royal Family’s long history. From their passion for humanity and philanthropic endeavors to their down-to-earth-despite-their-status demeanors, it’s fair to say the two women’s personalities parallel one another. That’s not all they seem to share in common — ever since her engagement to Prince Harry, Meghan has made a heartwarming habit of donning fashion ensembles that give a nod to earlier outfits worn by her late mother-in-law.
There’s no doubt that Princess Di is one of the most prominent fashion icons of her time. She wore regal dresses that thoughtfully paid homage to nations she was visiting; she played with trousers and tuxedo jackets (something no other Royal woman dared to do at the time), and no one has forgotten her legendary “Revenge Dress” that brazenly showed the world more than just her metaphorical middle finger to Prince Charles after he publicly admitted to his affair with Camilla Parker Bowles.
Meghan has previously spoken about the importance of keeping Diana’s memory alive, and it’s clear that the duchess is using fashion as a creative, sentimental way to do so. From outfits incorporating the same color schemes to ensembles that are enchantingly similar in a multitude of ways, Meghan has elegantly modernized a great many of the princess’s most dazzling 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.
A version of this article was originally published in June 2022.
Golden Gals
For Meghan Markle’s latest appearance for the Ms. Foundation Women of Vision Awards: Celebrating Generations of Progress & Power, she donned this daring, encrusted gold gown from Johanna Ortiz that reminded everyone of the bold gold and white mini-dress Diana wore in Russia back in the 1980s.
Sparkling Navy Royals
Princess Diana turned many heads back in 1986 when she wore this sparkling navy dress by Catherine Walker, and fast forward to 2019, the Duchess of Sussex did the same thing when attending the 2019 Cirque du Soleil Premiere Of TOTEM in this sparkling navy gown from Roland Mouret.
Beautiful in Black
Meghan found inspiration in Diana’s 1984 Remembrance Day ensemble for her 2019 outfit 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.
Champagne Florals
Princess Di wore a stunning white gown and matching bolero designed by Victor Edestein during her first solo trip to the United States in 1989, which Meghan gave a modern nod to in this 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 — to date, the internet is still desperate to find out who the talented designer is.
Greetings in Green
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.
A Hint of 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.
Maternal 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.
Pretty in Pink
In 1995, Princess Di wore a bubblegum pink Versace coat dress and matching pillbox hat when visiting the Howe Barracks military base in Kent. Modernizing the pink monochromatic ensemble, Meghan donned a blush trench coat dress by House of Nonie with a matching clutch in 2018 at the Nelson Mandela Centenary Exhibition.
Purple Power
In yet another stunning 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 took clear inspiration from her mother-in-law at a 2019 One Young World charity event, looking breathtaking herself in a purple Aritzia dress and matching pumps by Manolo Blahnik.
Royal Tones
During a Royal visit to Hong Kong in 1989, Diana donned a bold red and purple outfit by Catherine Walker, paired with a matching wide-brimmed hat by Philip Somerville. Taking undeniable inspiration from the late princess again, Meghan wore her own red and purple ensemble in 2019 during a visit to Birkenhead with Prince Harry. Her dress is another Aritzia design, which she paired with a red Sentaler coat and matching Stuart Weissman pumps.
Wistful in White
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 color 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.
Ruby Women
Attending an American Red Cross gala in 1997, Princess Di sparkled in a floor-length red gown designed by Jacques Azagury. Duchess Meghan put her own modern spin on Diana’s look at the 2020 Mountbatten Music Festival, wearing a similarly-cut, red floor-length gown complete with a modest, regal cape by Safiyaa. It seems as if Meghan’s drop earrings and even her lip gloss were inspired by Diana’s ‘90s gala ensemble.
Casual & Classic
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.
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