The Data Is in and This Duchess Is 2019’s Top Royal Style Icon

Move over, Middleton effect. The Markle sparkle is here to stay.

A new report from Lyst says Meghan Markle has surpassed Kate Middleton as the most influential royal fashion icon, and all we can say is…whoa.

Lyst pored more than two years of data and 20 million search queries only to confirm that Markle continues to make major sartorial strides. Since 2017, there’s been a 216 percent increase (!) in royally obsessed fashionistas searching for components of the 37-year-old Duchess of Sussex’s style. For instance, the above look from Wimbledon 2018 bumped up searches for wide-legged white trousers by 58 percent. And when the then-pregnant duchess wore a metallic jacquard dress to Prince Charles’s 50th Prince of Wales Investiture anniversary celebration, the demand for it increased by a mind-boggling 500 percent.

In comparison, the 37-year-old Duchess of Cambridge’s style sparked a 119 percent search increase each time she stepped out for a public appearance. Specifically, the red Catherine Walker military-inspired coatdress she wore to the Commonwealth Day services at Westminster Abbey caused queries for similar coats to rise by 225 percent.

It’s no secret that both royals are trendsetters in their own right, but while Middleton typically influences searches for specific designers, Markle’s sway applies mostly to colors. (Remember that purple and red ensemble? Makes sense, right?) Lyst states that in seven out of ten cases, Markle’s color combos led to increased search demand. The most popular color trends she inspired? White, beige and navy.

Data aside, you’re both style stars in our book, ladies.