Meghan Markle, the Duchess of Sussex, has once again found herself under scrutiny as her fashion choices in 2023 appear to contradict her past statements about royal protocol. Fashion expert Miranda Holder, speaking on Newsweek’s The Royal Report podcast, analyzed Meghan’s sartorial palette throughout the year, noting a consistent preference for muted colors at various events.
Despite Meghan’s previous assertions that she opted for neutral tones to avoid overshadowing senior members of the royal family, Holder revealed that there were “literally less than a handful of these [color] moments for Meghan” in her wardrobe analysis for the year.
Newsweek’s chief royal correspondent, Jack Royston, pointed out the contradiction in Meghan’s fashion choices, emphasizing that her earlier implication was that she felt confined within a certain color palette. Holder suggested that with Meghan no longer a part of the royal family, the public may have expected her to embrace a more diverse and expressive range of colors in her wardrobe.
Meghan’s rationale for her muted wardrobe was previously discussed in the Harry & Meghan docuseries released on Netflix in 2022. In the series, Meghan explained that she “rarely wore color” during her time in the U.K. due to the protocol of avoiding the same color as Queen Elizabeth II or other senior family members at group events. She expressed a desire to blend in rather than stand out.
The apparent divergence in Meghan’s fashion choices from her past explanations has reignited debates about her adherence to royal protocol, even after stepping away from official royal duties. Fans and critics alike are expressing their opinions on social media, questioning whether Meghan’s post-royal style should reflect greater freedom and individual expression.
As Meghan Markle’s fashion choices continue to be a subject of public discussion, the evolving narrative around her wardrobe raises questions about the intersection between personal style and the expectations associated with her former royal status. Whether this marks a deliberate departure from past constraints or simply reflects Meghan’s ongoing commitment to a more subdued palette remains a topic of ongoing speculation.