Meghan Markle or Kate Middleton – who will be the ultimate royal fashion icon?
- Middleton’s style has always garnered more attention than Markle’s but the recent Oprah interview has put the spotlight squarely on the latter
- Brand reactions to Markle’s accusations of racism within the British royal family are likely to depend on whether they have more customers in the UK or US
Few institutions have been capable of knocking the coronavirus off the global front pages this past year – one of them is the British royal family. From Harry and Meghan’s recent explosive interview with Oprah to the extraordinarily high viewing figures for The Crown, the public appetite for all things royal shows no sign of waning.
They also have the Midas touch when it comes to fashion. At a time when social media has democratised the industry, it seems almost ironic that the one guaranteed way to create a sell-out collection is the same now as it was a century ago: get a royal seal of approval.
In particular, whenever Kate Middleton, the Duchess of Cambridge, is spotted wearing anything – be it a Zara jacket or an Alexander McQueen gown – it makes news.
“That brand immediately gets worldwide attention, from the press wanting to write about it to ‘copykates’ buying the pieces the duchess has worn,” says Bethan Holt, the author of The Duchess of Cambridge: A Decade of Modern Royal Style. “They then enjoy this huge halo effect of having a royal seal of approval, whether they’re an expensive fashion house like Alexander McQueen or a high street name.
“Alongside the huge benefit she brings to individual brands, Kate’s way of dressing had a big impact on the way many normal women dress around the world – they are inspired by her dedication to a ladylike, classic aesthetic which isn’t dictated by trends.”
Some of the fascination with Middleton comes from the fact that she is a future queen who doesn’t regularly speak to the press, so the best chance we have of charting her personality and her growth is through her changing style.
