Is Meghan Markle Trying To Be Kate Middleton?

FTD News

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00:00Speculation has grown once again around Meghan Markle and Kate Middleton's long-standing fashion

00:05parallels. Meghan's recent 4th of July video drew attention for its striking resemblance

00:09to a look worn by the Princess of Wales just days earlier. On July 4th, 2025, Meghan appeared

00:16in a festive social media clip on her As Ever Instagram account, where she assembled a celebratory

00:22charcuterie board in her Montecito kitchen. But it wasn't the raspberry spread or star-shaped

00:31cheese that caught followers' attention. It was her shirt. Meghan wore a blue and white striped

00:36button-down shirt, which keen royal watchers instantly recognized. It was the same Ralph

00:41Lauren Adrienne blouse she wore back on July 14th, 2018, while attending Wimbledon with Kate,

00:47then the Duchess of Cambridge. That 2018 outing marked the two women's first official joint

00:53appearance following Meghan's marriage to Prince Harry. The PS446 shirt sold out in under 24 hours,

01:00as did Kate's Jenny Packham polka dot dress. Fast forward to October 2023, Meghan wore a brown

01:06version of the same Ralph Lauren shirt during a chance encounter in Los Angeles with TV host

01:12Jen Hsu. Now, in July 2025, she's brought the blue version back, giving the impression that

01:17the shirt is a staple in her wardrobe. But what made the timing especially interesting

01:21was that Kate had worn a very similar striped shirt just a few days earlier during a poignant

01:27hospital visit. On July 2nd, 2025, Kate visited Colchester Hospital, where she met with cancer

01:33patients and spoke candidly about her own recovery. Kate announced in January 2025 that she is in

01:39remission from cancer, wore a brown Ralph Laurence striped shirt under a beige Blaise Milano blazer,

01:45paired with tailored trousers and white veja sneakers. The look was practical and stylish,

01:52perfect for a garden engagement in the rain, where Kate even planted a rose named after her,

01:57Catherine's rose. Is Meghan deliberately mimicking Kate? The similarity in their outfits has sparked

02:02renewed comparisons between the two women. Theories about Meghan taking cues from Kate's style

02:07have long circulated. The two women share a similar fashion aesthetic, structured blazers,

02:12crisp shirts, and understated accessories. But this most recent overlap has reignited discussions

02:17about whether Meghan's sartorial choices are intended to echo the future queen. Of course,

02:23fashion coincidences between Meghan and Kate are not new. Both women often wear similar British

02:27heritage brands like Alexander McQueen, Stella McCartney, and Burberry. They also share a preference

02:33for minimalist jewelry, natural makeup, and earth-toned palettes. Yet, when one wears an item shortly after

02:39the other, especially something so specific as a striped Ralph Lauren blouse, speculation about subtle

02:45messages is almost inevitable. Adding to the contrast is the tone of their appearances. While

02:50Meghan's 4th of July post focused on domestic charm and lifestyle branding, with her raspberry spread

02:56front and center, Kate's hospital visit was deeply personal and heartfelt. During her appearance on July

03:022nd, 2025, Kate spoke movingly about the emotional toll of cancer recovery. There is a whole phase when

03:09you finish your treatment. Everybody expects you to be better. But that's not the case at all,

03:14she said. She acknowledged the brave face many patients put on, while describing post-treatment

03:19life as a roller coaster. Kate Middleton revealed she had tried acupuncture to support her recovery,

03:26underscoring the holistic approach she's taken to health and healing.

03:29She spoke of the importance of finding a new normal after cancer and emphasized the need for

03:35mental, physical, and spiritual support. Kate's visit included time in the RHS Wellbeing Garden,

03:41where she planted roses with volunteers and met with patients and staff. In the pouring rain,

03:47she took part in a walkabout, engaging warmly with supporters and even washing her hands before

03:52returning to greet more people. Her team made clear that while she's returning to royal duties,

03:56it will be on a slow and staggered schedule. For Megan, the focus was markedly different.

04:02Her July 4th content promoted her lifestyle brand, as ever, and featured a festive, Pinterest-worthy

04:08food board that included her now-sold-out raspberry spread, priced at $14. Dressed in the familiar striped

04:14shirt, Megan styled her board with seasonal fruits, cheeses, and crackers while smiling for the camera in

04:21her Montecito kitchen. While some praised the post for its cozy vibe, others criticized it on social

04:27media as basic or derivative. Critics on Reddit pointed out the similarities between Megan's board

04:32and generic Pinterest content, with one commenter writing,

04:35it's embarrassing, especially from someone promoting an elevated lifestyle brand.

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