Princess Catherine's seemingly harmless wardrobe habit is reportedly stirring up painful memories for her estranged sister-in-law Meghan Markle, according to royal insiders. The 44-year-old Princess of Wales is renowned for her impeccably presented appearances during official engagements, often favouring tailored coats, structured blazers and elegant A-line dresses that fall below the knee. But according to royal experts, those fashion choices are about far more than personal taste.
The Coat as a Symbol of Discipline
Speaking to Radar Online, one expert explained that Catherine's habit of keeping coats on throughout engagements — even indoors — reflects long-standing royal expectations surrounding appearance and presentation. "People often assume Kate's coats are simply a personal style preference, but there's a lot more to it than that. Within the royal household, appearance is carefully considered, and official engagements come with certain expectations," the royal expert said. "A senior royal is expected to maintain a polished, consistent image from the moment they arrive until they leave, and that means outerwear is often treated as part of the formal outfit rather than something that can be casually removed. The coat becomes a symbol of discipline and professionalism as much as a fashion statement."
Meghan's Difficult Memories
The insider claimed the contrast between Catherine's approach and Meghan's experience within the monarchy has revived difficult memories for the 44-year-old Duchess of Sussex. "Meghan has never made any secret of the fact that she found some of the Royal Family's fashion expectations difficult to embrace," they said. "From being expected to wear nude hosiery at formal engagements to carefully selecting colours that wouldn't clash with those worn by more senior royals, she often felt there was limited room for personal expression." The source added: "Seeing Kate continue to follow many of those same traditions can be a source of frustration because it brings back memories of a period when Meghan felt constrained by rules she never fully agreed with."
A Strained Relationship
Catherine and Meghan are believed to have initially enjoyed a warm relationship after first meeting in 2017, but tensions reportedly grew over time amid personality differences, the widening rift between Prince William and Prince Harry, and allegations surrounding Meghan's treatment of palace staff. It is understood the Princess of Wales attempted to help Meghan adjust to royal life, much as she had been supported by Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh, after marrying Prince William in 2011. However, Meghan reportedly struggled with aspects of royal protocol, particularly those relating to dress and presentation. According to royal author Russell Myers' book William & Catherine: The Intimate Inside Story, Catherine and Sophie "attempted to assist Meghan as she assimilated into royal life", though their "repeated attempts" were not responded to.
Meghan's Public Comments
Meghan later cited royal fashion rules as a key example of the challenges she faced within the institution. During an interview with Bloomberg's The Circuit on August 26, 2025, the Duchess revealed she disliked being required to wear nude hosiery at formal engagements, saying the tradition "felt a little bit inauthentic" and did not align with her personal style. She joked to journalist Emily Chang that nude tights were something she associated with "movies in the '80s when they came in the little egg".
Meghan's Post-Royal Fashion
Since stepping away from royal duties in 2020, Meghan has embraced a far more commercial approach to fashion. While it is unclear whether she works with a stylist, the Duchess is frequently photographed in designer outfits worth thousands of dollars and regularly promotes many of those looks through fashion AI platform OneOff. Meghan is understood to earn a commission of between 10 and 25 per cent on items sold through the platform, where she is also listed as an investor. Under the profile name "Meghan, Duchess of Sussex," she showcases dozens of outfits, including looks from her recent visit to Australia, such as a $1,746 dress worn at a women's homeless shelter.
