24 Times Meghan Markle Dressed Like Princess Diana
Look back at all the sartorial tributes Meghan has paid her late mother-in-law.
In Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s Netflix docuseries Harry & Meghan, Harry spoke about how Meghan reminds him of Diana. “So much of what Meghan is and how she is, is so similar to my mom,” he said. “She has the same compassion. She has the same empathy, she has the same confidence. She has this warmth about her.”
Another thing the two women have in common? Their fashion. Princess Diana was one of the most fashionable women of her time, and Meghan Markle makes waves every time she steps out. “You know, there was a long time where… I wasn’t out talking. So if you couldn’t hear me, how could I be heard through what I was wearing if that was what people were focusing on?” Meghan said this year on The Jamie Kern Lima Show podcast.
Here, take a look back at 24 times Meghan has paid sartorial tribute to her late mother-in-law.
Coordinated Green Coats
Tim Graham/Getty Images; Chris Jackson/Getty ImagesOn Commonwealth Day in March 2019, Meghan stepped out in a green Erdem coat with black detailing reminiscent of a similar look worn by Princess Diana in 1982.
Getty Images (2)Purple Maxi Dresses
In 1996, Princess Diana wore a Versace purple maxi dress—one that Meghan nodded to in 2019, when she attended the One Young World charity event.
Getty Images (2)Red Gala Gowns
In 1995, Princess Diana attended a dinner hosted by the Association For The Struggle Against Infant Paralysis in a red gown, and in 2024, Meghan Markle attended the Children’s Hospital Los Angeles Gala in a similarly eye-catching dress.
Green FascinatorsMeghan’s Commonwealth Day fascinator in 2020, right, mirrored the one that Diana wore to Trooping the Colour in 1982, left.
Formal and Sparkling
In, 1990, Princess Diana attended a ball at the Royal Lancaster Hotel wearing a flashy Catherine Walker dress. Nearly 30 years later, Meghan Markle stepped out in a similar glittering Roland Mouret gown.
A Bright Combo
During a visit to Hong Kong in November 1989, Diana paired red and purple in a vibrant ensemble. Meghan worked with a similar color palette while on a visit to Birkenhead in January of 2019.
A Triangular Pattern
In 1986, Princess Diana wore this navy blue and white dress while visiting Saudi Arabia. Meghan wore a modern design with a similar pattern while on her first solo engagement as a royal, at the opening of an art exhibition.
White Hats
Diana’s 1987 visit to the Sandhurst Military Academy saw the Princess in a military-inspired get-up, which she accessorized with a white hat. Meghan’s outfit at the 2019 Commonwealth Day service—complete with a similar hat—paid homage to Diana.
Black & White at Royal Ascot
Both Diana and Meghan looked proper in black-and-white ensembles at Royal Ascot. Meghan chose to wear Givenchy, the same designer she wore on her wedding day, for her first time at the race.
Jeans and a White Button Down
Diana served up some serious ’90s vibes wearing these high-waisted, faded jeans paired with a crisp white button down. Meghan Markle matched the look by wearing a classic white shirt with a pair of her favorite jeans at the Invictus Games.
Collar Necklaces
On the first day of Meghan’s 2024 trip to Nigeria, the Duchess of Sussex also wore a collar necklace and vintage clip-on earrings that were reminiscent of the Princess of Wales’s accessories when she visited the country back in 1990.
The Pantsuit
In 1990, Princess Diana stepped out in a blue suit while attending a charity concert at the Royal Albert Hall in London. Meghan wore a similar power suit by Altuzarra while attending the WellChild Awards with Prince Harry, a ceremony which honors children coping with illness in the United Kingdom.
Blue and Green Tartan
In 1987, Princess Diana wore a plaid dress with a lace collar while at the Bute Highland Games in Scotland. Meghan chose a similarly patterned Burberry coat for an official visit to Scotland with Prince Harry during their engagement.
Matching Necklines
Princess Diana wore her high-necked evening gown to attend a reception at Spencer House in London, while Meghan chose the style as her second dress on her wedding day.
In 1988, Diana picked a sleek glen plaid suit to wear while traveling through Paddington Station in London. Meghan sported an updated version of the look, this off-the-shoulder Theory jacket, during a visit to Wales.
Bright Red Dresses
While attending the premiere of Julie Walter’s film Just Like a Woman in 1992, Diana wore a red silk gown designed by Victor Edelstein. Meghan Markle mirrored the scarlet look during a pre-engagement appearance on the Today show.
Oversized hats
In 1987 Diana wore a Philip Somerville hat during a walkabout in Munich, Germany. Meghan imitated the look by wearing a wide-brimmed hat to the 2018 Anzac Day service in London.
Navy blue belted dresses
Diana wore a sleek navy blue dress while visiting the Tashinkaya Hospital in Moscow in 1995. Meghan chose a similar look while attending a polo match in Windsor.
Glamorous in Pink
The blush pink Carolina Herrera dress that Meghan wore to Trooping the Colour immediately reminded us of Diana’s off-the-shoulder look for a night out at the Royal Ballet in Germany in 1987.
Royal women know the value of a good hat. Diana once wore a beret to the Braemar Highland Games, while Meghan wore a white version of the statement accessory at the Commonwealth Day service in London just weeks before her wedding to Prince Harry.
Pinstripes
The Princess of Wales once chose a pinstriped blazer over a navy blue shirt for a walkabout in Sheffield. The Duchess of Sussex clearly likes the pattern as well; she wore a pinstripped midi dress from Altuzarra for an appearance at the Commonwealth Youth Forum reception.
Getty Images (2)Pantsuits
While Meghan wears pantsuits frequently (like right, at the 2018 WellChild awards), Diana rarely turned to the silhouette—but she wore a navy one to a charity concert at the Royal Albert Hall in April 1990.
Navy Lace
In 1996, Princess Diana looked stunning in a sparkly navy blue dress for an evening event. Proving the shade never goes out of style, Meghan wore an equally regal navy lace ensemble years later while promoting her TV show Suits.
