Top fashion moments inspired by Princess Kate and Meghan Markle

Throughout history, royal women have been admired, emulated and celebrated for their style choices.

In the modern age, Queen Elizabeth II’s mantra was to be at the forefront of fashion but never lag behind, striking the balance that gave her a timeless look decades ago of his life.

While her granddaughters, Princess Kate and Meghan Markle, allow themselves more freedom when it comes to following trends, they too often strike a balance between being fashion forward and being inspired from in the past.

Both royals have shown a love of vintage-inspired dress during their weddings with Prince William and Prince Harry, resulting in some of the most celebrated royal fashion moments in recent years like this.

Here, Newsweek looks at a collection of Meghan and Kate’s vintage-inspired fashion moments, from ’50s-style ballgowns to elegant ’40s-skirt suits.

Meghan Markle – Cape and Color Statement

When Meghan Markle appeared at Westminster Abbey in March 2020 for her last official engagement as a working member of the royal family, she did so in a bold 1950s-inspired gown designed by Emilia Wickstead.

Emerald green calf length sundress with long sleeves featuring an asymmetric hemline embellished with a green tulle embellished cap trimmed with a large bow.

Meghan Markle – ’50s Ballgown Glamour

Meghan chose another 1950s-inspired look in the form of an elaborate ball gown designed by the house of Carolina Herrera for an appearance at the Salute to Freedom ceremony in New York City in 2021.

The event was Meghan’s first major red carpet event since leaving the royal family and the sheer red silk design featured a plunging neckline and the petal paneled dress added to the excitement of the occasion.

Queen Kate – ’80s Elegance

Queen Kate wore a beautiful 1980s-inspired black and white polka dot dress for Prince Philip’s memorial service at Westminster Abbey in March 2022.

This dress was designed by Alessandra Rich, a designer who oozes vintage and retro aesthetics with a refined twist. Kate’s dress featured a cut-out side slit and jeweled buttons on one shoulder. The queen teamed the look with a wide brim hat reminiscent of Edwardian fashions of the 1900s.

Meghan Markle – Classic Tailoring

Meghan chose a vintage coat dress inspired by vintage menswear for the Platinum Jubilee celebrations for Queen Elizabeth II held in London in June 2022.

The duchess wore a chic white dress with a matching hooded belt, a plunging neckline with voluminous pleats and a ruffled back by the French fashion house Christian Dior.

The look was paired with a 1970s-inspired hat, featuring the same Dior accessories.

Queen Kate – ’40s Skirt Suit

Attending the Commonwealth Day service at Westminster Abbey in 2023, for the first time under her new title as Princess of Wales, Kate appeared in a plunging floral print suit Erdem.

The suit consisted of a fitted jacket with a fitted waist, and a mid-length dress with contrasting white fabric.

This suit is reminiscent of the “Bar suit” style pioneered by Christian Dior in 1947, which was repeated throughout the 1940s.

Queen Kate – ’90s Chic

Kate looked to the 1990s for inspiration behind one of her most famous looks to date, a green dress she wore to the Trooping the Color celebrations in London in 2023.

For the occasion, Kate wore an emerald green coat dress with silk piping and jeweled buttons by Singaporean designer Andrew Gn.

The design is similar to the elegant embroidered dresses favored by Princess Diana in the last years of her life.

Kate paired the coat with an oversized hat designed by British milliner Philip Treacy.

James Crawford-Smith is Newsweek‘s royal correspondent, based in London. You can find him on X (formerly Twitter) at @jrcrawfordsmith and read his stories further NewsweekThe Royals Facebook page.

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