Meghan Markle vs. Princess Catherine: Did Their Royal Style Really Overlap?

Meghan Markle vs. Princess Catherine: Did Their Royal Style Really Overlap?

The fashion choices of Meghan Markle and Princess Catherine have been compared repeatedly since Meghan joined the British Royal Family, with everything from clothing silhouettes to jewelry becoming material for online debate.

One recurring point of comparison is pearls.

Catherine has long incorporated pearls into her wardrobe, including pieces associated with the late Queen Elizabeth II. Pearl earrings, necklaces and other classic jewelry have become part of her broader approach to royal dressing: traditional enough to acknowledge the institution, but often styled in a modern and understated way.

That established association has made Meghan’s own use of pearls particularly noticeable to royal-fashion observers.

According to the commentary surrounding the latest video, Meghan’s use of classic pearl jewelry became more prominent after her 2018 marriage to Prince Harry. Some observers believe several of her choices resembled pieces or styles previously worn by Catherine.

But resemblance is not necessarily evidence of imitation.

Pearls are among the most traditional forms of jewelry in formal fashion, and they have been worn by generations of women across royal families, political circles and celebrity culture. A pearl drop earring or classic pearl necklace is hardly exclusive to one person.

That is where the comparison becomes more complicated.

Catherine's style has developed over many years, and her fashion identity is now strongly associated with polished tailoring, elegant dresses and restrained accessories. Because she is frequently photographed at major royal events, particular elements of her wardrobe naturally become recognizable.

Meghan, meanwhile, arrived at the Royal Family with a very different fashion background.

Before marrying Harry, she had already developed a public image through her acting career and lifestyle projects. Her wardrobe tended to combine contemporary American fashion with more formal pieces when required by royal engagements.

After joining the monarchy, her clothing choices inevitably became more closely scrutinized.

The result was an almost unavoidable comparison between the two women.

When both appeared at major royal occasions wearing similarly classic jewelry, online commentators often treated those similarities as evidence of a larger pattern. One example discussed in the video involves Princess Eugenie's wedding, where both women were photographed wearing pearl jewelry.

Yet it is important to distinguish observation from interpretation.

It is reasonable to say that Meghan and Catherine have sometimes worn visually similar jewelry. It is much harder to establish that Meghan deliberately copied Catherine's style unless there is direct evidence of intention.

Fashion is also highly cyclical. Designers frequently draw on the same historical references, while stylists often recommend similar pieces for formal occasions. Pearls, in particular, have remained a staple of formal dressing for generations.

There is another interesting dimension to the debate: royal symbolism.

Pearls can carry associations with tradition, heritage and continuity. Members of the Royal Family have frequently worn historic jewelry not simply because it looks elegant, but because certain pieces connect them to previous generations.

Catherine's use of royal jewelry therefore has an additional institutional meaning.

Meghan's situation was different. She entered the family without decades of inherited royal symbolism behind her, meaning that her jewelry choices were often interpreted through the lens of her new role.

That may explain why even relatively ordinary accessories received so much attention.

Ultimately, the fascination with Meghan and Catherine's wardrobes says as much about royal culture as it does about either woman's personal taste.

Catherine represents continuity for many observers: a future queen gradually developing a recognizable public identity within the institution.

Meghan represented something newer: an American actress entering that same institution and bringing a more contemporary celebrity aesthetic with her.

Naturally, comparisons followed.

Whether those comparisons demonstrate influence, coincidence or simply the limited range of traditional formal jewelry is impossible to determine from photographs alone.

What can be said is that pearls have become another recurring chapter in the broader conversation about the two women's public identities.

And perhaps that is why such small details continue to attract so much attention.

In the world of royal fashion, a pair of earrings can become far more than an accessory. They can become a symbol of tradition, individuality — or, depending on who is watching, an invitation for another round of comparison.