Kate Middleton rejected Meghan Markle’s playbook with major shift in focus
Kate Middleton and Meghan Markle aren’t close ( Image: Getty Images)
Princess Kate is making a significant change to her royal approach—one that distances her from Meghan Markle. The Princess of Wales will no longer publicly disclose details about her outfits during royal engagements, marking a departure from longstanding tradition.
According to a Kensington Palace source, the move is part of Kate’s effort to shift attention away from fashion coverage and toward her charitable initiatives. The decision comes as she gradually returns to public duties following her cancer treatment. “There is an absolute feeling that it [the public work] is not about what the princess is wearing,” a royal insider told The Sunday Times.
For years, Kate’s wardrobe has been a driving force behind British fashion trends, with designers such as Jenny Packham and LK Bennett seeing major sales boosts after she wears their pieces. Despite her influence, the Princess of Wales has never financially invested in any of the brands she promotes through her clothing choices.
This marks a stark contrast to Meghan Markle, the Duchess of Sussex, who has turned her fashion influence into a business opportunity. Meghan has reportedly invested in up to 10 brands she wears publicly, telling The New York Times that she deliberately selects “smaller, up-and-coming” labels before financially backing them.
Meghan’s strategy, often referred to as “the Meghan effect,” has resulted in major fashion sales spikes. One example is her Strathberry handbag, which sold out in just 11 minutes after she was photographed carrying it. Kate, on the other hand, has taken a more understated approach, frequently re-wearing past outfits rather than using fashion as a business tool.
She recently made headlines for recycling a Zara houndstooth dress, reinforcing her commitment to sustainable fashion choices. While Kate’s shift away from fashion coverage represents a change in royal tradition, it aligns with her broader goal of prioritizing public service over personal style. By redirecting focus to her charitable work, the Princess of Wales aims to ensure that her influence is measured not by the designers she wears, but by the impact she makes.
