The Princess of Wales and Meghan Markle, who live 5,000 miles apart from one another, are two of the world’s biggest fashion influences.
From the UK to the US, the pair have impacted the world of fashion by stepping out in different pieces from various brands and companies across the globe – but who has had the biggest style-effect? Princess Kate or Meghan?
The Princess of Wales, who officially joined the Royal Family in 2011, has long been celebrated for her impeccable style.
Much like her sister-in-law, Meghan has also influenced many fans, with a bag by Strathberry that she sported in 2017 selling out on the website in 11 minutes after images of her graced the internet. Kate is also known to have sent brands global overnight.
Designer Jennifer Chamandi, whose elegant heels have been worn by both Kate and Meghan, previously spoke of their impact on her brand.
As reported by Harpers Bazaar, she previously said: “The increase in brand awareness and enquiries was immediate, not just in the UK but especially in the US.”
The Duchess of Sussex, who officially joined the Royal Family in 2018, chose a pair of two-tone pumps with the brand’s signature strap for a visit to the Robert Clack School in Dagenham in 2020. Princess Kate soon followed suit, and sported the Lorenzo 105 black suede pumps for a visit to the V&A museum the following year.
According to Chamandi, the ‘Kate-effect’ was ‘instantaneous’, and the brand received messages from “stockists globally” who quickly wanted the style that was worn by the mother of three.
According to the Daily Mail, Kate had been “highlighting British brands long before Meghan”. Although Meghan appears to have boosted brands such as Veja and Aquazurra, Kate has reportedly boosted the UK fashion industry by an estimated £1 billion.
In 2022, Kate was also spotted wearing the Alicia Camilla Elphick pumps for a charity polo match. Although already one of the brand’s most popular shoes, sales “went off the scale” when the royal wore them.
According to Harpers Bazaar, designer Camilla said: “…At the time, the style was our most popular anyway, but when people saw Kate wearing it, it completely sold out.”
Meghan previously spoke to the New York Times about her own style impact and the ‘Meghan-effect’, the mother of two said: “Times where I know there is a global spotlight, and attention will be given to each detail of what I may or may not be wearing, then I support designers that I have really great friendships with, and smaller, up-and-coming brands that haven’t gotten the attention that they should be getting.
“That’s one of the most powerful things that I’m able to do, and that’s simply wearing, like, an earring.”
During the global lockdown, which began in March 2020, Kate’s looks reportedly increased global fashion searches by 96 percent.
According to lovethesales.com, Meghan’s outfits – in contrast – only mustered a 35 percent uplift in global searches since that month.
The website states: “Kate’s outfits are four times more likely to sell out than Meghan’s, with 15 out of 17 outfits currently sold out for Kate and one of Meghan’s six looks going out of stock.”