Meghan Markle may have sparked debate with her Wimbledon fashion back in 2019, but it seems her bold style choices have paved the way for modern royal expressions—even at the traditionally strict All England Club.
When Meghan Markle attended Wimbledon in 2019 to support her close friend Serena Williams, her outfit quickly caught the public’s attention. Wearing a white straw hat and skinny jeans, the Duchess of Sussex deviated from royal expectations and tournament guidelines—stirring criticism and intrigue alike.
Notably, Meghan chose to sit in the members’ section on Court 1, accompanied by her longtime friends Lindsay Rothand Genevieve Hillis, instead of taking her place in the Royal Box. This choice, subtle but significant, was seen by many as a reflection of her growing distance from traditional royal roles at the time.
The All England Club has long upheld a guideline discouraging women from wearing hats in the Royal Box, stating:
“Ladies are asked not to wear hats, as they tend to obscure the vision of those seated behind them.”
While Meghan’s choice drew criticism from royal watchers and the media, some argue she never intended to sit in the Royal Box that day—making her fashion a personal statement rather than a royal misstep.
But Meghan isn’t alone in modernizing royal fashion norms.
In July 2025, the Princess of Wales made headlines herself by wearing a bold wide-brimmed ‘Saffron’ hat by L.K.Bennett while seated front and center in the Royal Box on Wimbledon’s final day. The striking accessory mirrored another memorable look from 2022, when Kate Middleton paired the same floppy hat with a vibrant yellow Roksanda dress during the Women’s Singles Final.
The comparisons between the two royal women highlight a broader evolution in royal fashion—one that allows for individuality, even on tradition-steeped occasions like Wimbledon.
While Meghan’s 2019 courtside appearance may have once drawn criticism, her influence on royal style and protocol continues to be felt, subtly reshaping expectations within one of Britain’s most formal institutions.
