Meghan Markle’s Green Commonwealth Day Dress Looked an Awful Lot Like an Iconic Princess Diana Look

Published Mar 11, 2020

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6:30pm

When Meghan Markle stepped out of for her final official royal engagement, it was an instantly iconic moment.

The 38-year-old Duchess of Sussex arrived at Westminster Abbey in London for the Commonwealth Day service with her husband Prince Harry looking ready to take on the day. She selected a Kelly green Emilia Wickstead caped shift dress, a matching William Chambers fascinator, nude Aquazzura pumps and a dark green Gabrielle Hearst purse for the meaningful occasion. By all accounts, it was a winning outfit—especially for her last royal appearance—but it also held a special meaning.

Like many Markle outfits before it, her Emilia Wickstead frock and William Chambers fascinator bore a striking resemblance to an outfit her late mother-in-law, Princess Diana, once wore. See for yourself.

meghan markle princess diana side by side l

Chris Jackson/Tim Graham Photo Library/Getty Images

In 1982, the Princess of Wales donned a green textured shirt dress and matching fascinator decorated with netting to attend the Trooping the Colour ceremony on the balcony of Buckingham Palace. That netting! That color! All that’s missing is the cape.

As a member of the royal family, the Duchess of Sussex has paid sartorial tribute to Prince Harry’s mother many times. There was that red and purple color-blocking outfit, their green maternity coats and even Markle’s pantsuit moment at the WellChild Awards. But this one might hold even more resonance.

It’s worth noting that when Princess Diana wore her green ensemble, she was heavily pregnant with Prince William. Markle and Prince Harry have an almost 1-year-old son named Archie, but does this Diana homage mean Markle is telling us another baby is on the way?

Probably not, but we can still dream.

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Lex Goodman

Cat mom, yogi, brunch enthusiast

Lex is an LA native who's deeply obsessed with picnics, Slim Aarons, rosé, Hollywood history and Joan Didion. She joined PureWow in early 2017.

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