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Meghan Markle’s reported return to Britain could bring renewed attention to her fashion choices, potentially reviving comparisons with Princess Catherine and her influential royal wardrobe.
For the past six years, Catherine has largely dominated the royal fashion conversation without Meghan regularly appearing alongside her in Britain. The Princess of Wales has developed a reputation for creating the so-called “Kate effect”, with everything from affordable high-street pieces to luxury accessories attracting huge interest after she wears them.
Meghan’s return, however, could introduce another prominent royal fashion figure back into the British spotlight and reignite interest in the contrasting styles of the two women.
Stylist Ciara Russell believes living in Britain could also influence Meghan’s wardrobe. She suggested the Duchess may combine the relaxed, understated California style she has embraced since leaving royal duties with the sharper tailoring and sophisticated silhouettes that characterised many of her appearances as a working royal.
Speaking to the Daily Express, stylist Ciara Russell suggested that Meghan’s return to Britain could lead to another evolution in her fashion choices.
“I definitely think being back in Britain could bring a slightly more structured side of Meghan’s wardrobe out again,” she said, indicating that the Duchess may rediscover some of the more polished styling associated with her years as a working royal.
The stylist highlighted how much Meghan’s wardrobe has evolved since moving to California. In recent years, the Duchess has favoured neutral shades, relaxed shapes and a quieter approach to luxury, a noticeable contrast to the tailored outfits, structured outerwear and highly polished looks she regularly wore during her time as a working royal.
However, Ciara does not expect Meghan, 45, to simply return to her former royal style. Instead, she predicts a blend of her current California-inspired minimalism with more sophisticated tailoring, bold coats and classic British heritage pieces.
Such a shift could once again place Meghan alongside Princess Catherine as one of the most closely watched fashion figures connected to the Royal Family.
Ciara believes the Duchess could “absolutely become a major fashion influence within the royal sphere again,” although she pointed out that Meghan and Catherine have developed very different fashion identities and appeal to audiences in distinct ways.
Discussing Catherine’s position, she said: “Catherine has really established her style over the years and understands royal dressing incredibly well.”
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Ciara pointed to Catherine’s ability to move seamlessly between luxury fashion and more affordable pieces, while still generating enormous interest among shoppers.
“She can wear a beautifully tailored coat dress one day and something much more accessible the next, and both will sell out,” the stylist explained.
Meghan, by contrast, has developed a noticeably different fashion identity. Ciara characterised the Duchess’s wardrobe as “more fashion-led, minimal and internationally influenced,” giving her an aesthetic that stands apart from Catherine’s more traditional approach to royal dressing.
If Meghan begins making regular appearances in Britain again, comparisons between the sisters-in-law could quickly intensify. Their dresses, coats, handbags, shoes and accessories are likely to face renewed scrutiny, particularly given the different audiences their individual styles attract.
Ciara believes Meghan will be well aware of the attention surrounding her wardrobe and may therefore approach her British appearances particularly carefully.
“Meghan will know that as well, so I imagine there would naturally be more thought behind what she wears in Britain,” she added.
British designers could become an important part of Meghan’s wardrobe if she begins spending more time in the UK. During her years as a working royal, the Duchess regularly turned to British names such as Victoria Beckham, Stella McCartney and Strathberry, and Ciara believes revisiting established favourites while also supporting rising designers could be a smart strategy.
Given the global attention surrounding Meghan’s fashion choices, even a single appearance could provide significant exposure for a relatively unknown brand.
“What Meghan wears has huge visibility, so choosing an emerging British label could genuinely transform a young designer’s business overnight,” Ciara explained.
When comparing Meghan’s fashion influence with Catherine’s, however, the stylist believes the Princess of Wales still holds the stronger position overall. Catherine has spent years perfecting a polished royal aesthetic while maintaining an ability to mix expensive designer pieces with clothing that feels attainable to a much wider audience.
But the picture becomes less clear when the focus shifts from traditional royal style to the clothes women are actually interested in wearing in 2026. In that area, Ciara believes Meghan may have an unexpected advantage.
