19 Times Meghan Markle Was Inspired by Princess Diana's Style

All eyes are on Meghan after leaving the UK with Prince Harry — will her style change now that she’s separated from the Royal family? Usually, she keeps her sartorial choices simple and clean and classic. But is it due to sleek styling or has the Duchess of Sussex been inspired by someone else? Like, say, the late Princess Diana? Prince Harry’s mother was a fashion icon in her time — which would’ve been tough since it was the ’80s and ’90s. Yet her style was effortless and anything she wore, every woman wanted. And the same goes for Meg, the more and more we see her.

Princess Diana wears a brown hat and brown trenchcoat.

Getty Images

1 / 38

Monochromatic moment

These soft brown shades give Princess Diana a wash of elegance that she wears so well.

Meghan Markle in a brown trenchcoat, touches her hair and smiles at the crowd.

Getty Images

2 / 38

Monochromatic moment

This monochromatic look compliments Meghan's rich, brown locks.

Princess Diana waves to a crowd while wearing a green, structured blazer.

Getty Images

3 / 38

Emerald green

Princess Diana makes a bold statement with a classic, structured blazer.

Meghan Markle wears a green dress and hat.

Getty Images

4 / 38

Emerald green

Meghan Markle does head-to-toe in the same colour, and knocks it out of the park.

Princess Diana in a red dress gives a kiss to her son Prince Harry.

Getty Images

5 / 38

Lady in red

Princess Di perfectly compliments her son Prince Harry by wearing a slim-fitting, long-sleeved dress.

Meghan Markle wears a red dress, accompanied by her husband Prince Harry.

Getty Images

6 / 38

Lady in red

Years later, Meghan Markle stuns in a matching ensemble to a grown-up Prince Harry.

Getty Images

7 / 38

Go for green

Princess Di rocked the green when she was pregnant with Prince William.

Here are some of Princess Diana's favourite clothing brands.

Getty Images

8 / 38

Go for green

Meghan opted for a maternity green look too on Commonwealth Day at Canada House.

Getty Images

9 / 38

Wild flowers

Diana stunned in this blue and white tunic over white pants during her trip to Saudi Arabia.

Getty Images

10 / 38

Wild flowers

Meghan's blue and white, toile-like print is almost identical to Diana's tunic.

Just a drop in the bucket of some of Meghan's best fashion moments.

Getty Images

11 / 38

Pink ladies

Diana was exquisite in this pink skirt suit with the button detailing that royals oh-so-love.

Meghan chatting with Kate and Harry on Buckingham Palace balcony

Getty Images

12 / 38

Pink ladies

Meghan opted for a blush shade for her off-the shoulder dress and matching hat for her first Trooping the Colour.

Meghan sometimes dresses like Kate Middleton, too.

Princess Diana dressed up for an evening out

Getty Images

13 / 38

Back to black

Nothing basic about Diana's shimmery dress. And she appeared to be having a blast, rightfully so.

Meghan and Harry heading into memorial service

Getty Images

14 / 38

Back to black

Meg's LBD with the white flecks and the belt is absolutely lovely.

Princess Diana seated wearing blue, white and yellow striped dress

Getty Images

15 / 38

Stripes forever

Diana even knew how to make the simplest of striped dresses work.

Getty Images

16 / 38

Stripes forever

Meg's blue-and-white-striped button-down paired with those billowy white trousers and wow. Just...WOW. Also, notice how Meghan is holding her white hate, kind of like the one Diana is wearing in the previous pic? It's like she knew.

Princess Diana wearing white jacket with black trim

Getty Images

17 / 38

Monochrome magnificence

Her white jacket with black trim paired with a matching hat was the kind of look only Diana could pull off.

Getty Images

18 / 38

Monochrome magnificence

While Meghan opted for an embroidered shirt dress, it's the black and white hat that elevates it to a Diana level of class.

Princess Diana in polo field wearing jeans and brown boots

Getty Images

19 / 38

Boots on the ground

Diana made even the most casual of outfits cool thanks to these boots over her jeans.

Meghan and Harry walking to Christmas Day mass

Getty Images

20 / 38

Boots on the ground

These slouchy suede beauties were unexpected, yet lovely on Christmas Day.

Princess Diana in red coat and matching beret

Getty Images

21 / 38

Hat’s off

Only a princess could make a beret work.

Getty Images

22 / 38

Hat’s off

Though a duchess can do them justice too.

Princess Diana meeting with patient wearing plaid jacket

Getty Images

23 / 38

Forever plaid

Can't go wrong with this pattern, then and now.

Getty Images

24 / 38

Forever plaid

Here's proof. Megs opted for a more easygoing look, though, and paired her plaid top with casual pants.

You might also like to find out what Meghan Markle's beauty routine is.

Princess Diana and designer Catherine Walker flank mannequin wearing white gown

Getty Images

25 / 38

Anything but basic black

Nothing says classic like a black pantsuit and white top.

Getty Images

26 / 38

Anything but basic black

This is exactly how a professional working royal should look — smart and sophisticated.

Princess Diana in white suit with black pinstriping

Getty Images

27 / 38

Pretty pinstripes

Head-to-toe pinstripes isn't the easiest look to pull off, but Diana's coat dress and white hat was damn near perfect.

Meghan in white dress with black pinstriping

Getty Images

28 / 38

Pretty pinstripes

Similar to Diana's previous look, but add in a matching belt, those royally loved buttons and a blazer draped casually over her shoulders and well done, Meg.

Princess Diana speaking on podium in coat and jeans

Getty Images

29 / 38

Jean machine

The mom jeans back then weren't as big as they became recently, but Di still managed to rock them.

Meghan and Harry at Invictus Games in Toronto

Getty Images

30 / 38

Jean machine

Meghan pairing her destructed denim with a white boyfriend shirt was picture-perfect.

The first sighting of Meghan and Harry was glorious, wasn't it?

Princess Diana in green and blue tartan on bridge

Getty Images

31 / 38

Tartan it up

The awesome print of the green and blue tartan is only made more '80s fabulous, thanks to the wicked shoulder pads happening.

Meghan in green and blue tartan coat waving to crowd

Getty Images

32 / 38

Tartan it up

Meghan opted for the traditional Scottish pattern when she and Harry visited Edinburgh and her coat was equally oversized and awesome.

Getty Images

33 / 38

Black beauty

Diana's wide brim number was fitting for a funeral, though it also would've worked anywhere else. But that might be because she had a confidence when it came to fashion, something many people don't have.

Meghan looking sombre at Anzac Day service

Getty Images

34 / 38

Black beauty

Meghan's felt hat was ideal for the service she attended, yet made her entire look appear less severe.

Diana coming down staircase in white gown

Getty Images

35 / 38

White hot

Yowza. Diana sizzled in this white floor-length, one-shoulder gown.

Meghan and Harry leaving for wedding reception

Getty Images

36 / 38

White hot

Meghan's reception halter dress showed off her shoulders and was sexy as hell.

Getty Images

37 / 38

Jewel tones

A shade this rich did the unthinkable: made Diana more beautiful.

Getty Images

38 / 38

Jewel tones

That emerald green top and matching pencil skirt might be one of the best things we've ever seen on Meghan. More, please.

You might also like to see all the times Kate dressed like Diana.