Did Meghan Markle dress like Wallis Simpson in the Oprah Winfrey interview deliberately? She donned Princess Diana’s Cartier jewellery and a US$4,700 Giorgio Armani – and viewers are wondering if there’s a hidden message

Mar 9 , 2021

Meghan Markle’s dress on the CBS Oprah Winfrey interview reminded many viewers of another American to marry into the British royal family: Wallis Simpson. Photo: CBS/YouTube

When Meghan Markle and Prince Harry sat down for the CBS special, Meghan wore Princess Diana’s jewellery and a dress like Duchess of Windsor Wallis Simpson’s

The Duchess of Sussex also wore a custom-made Carolina Herrera dress in her pregnancy announcement photo – originally made when she was pregnant with Archie

Meghan Markle and Prince Harry’s highly-anticipated tell-all interview with Oprah Winfrey finally aired on March 7. “‘Almost unsurvivable’ – sounds like there was a breaking point,” Winfrey commented on screen. Just hours later, the potential damage the CBS special poses to the British royal family was transparently evident from the raft of explosive headlines it has already provoked.

While Queen Elizabeth – who made a speech to mark Commonwealth Day that was broadcast hours before the interview – reportedly did not watch the couple’s unprecedented reveal, the public has been anxiously awaiting it ever since it was first announced.

Despite Meghan and Harry’s hopes of escaping the royal spotlight and the paparazzi after “Megxit”, by settling into their new home of Montecito in California, the couple is still the focus of public attention – including close scrutiny of Meghan’s outfits.

After the trailer for the Oprah interview was released, the internet was flooded with discussions about the messages behind the Cartier jewellery that Meghan wore, which previously belonged to Princess Diana. The Giorgio Armani dress she sported drew plenty of attention, too. The black wrap midi dress features a print of white lotuses that embody tranquillity and rebirth in Buddhism, and retails at US$4,700 on Neiman Marcus.

A 1930s portrait of American-born Wallis Simpson, who became the Duchess of Windsor in June 1937 by marrying Edward of England, Duke of Windsor, formerly King Edward VIII of England. Photo: ACME/AFP

Many also pointed out that the Armani number is reminiscent of a silk dress worn by Wallis Simpson – the American actress, socialite and wife of the Duke of Windsor, the former King Edward VIII – in a 1936 portrait. However, Simpson’s black floral dress with the V-neckline was covered with prints, while Meghan’s was only decorated on the right side. It remains unclear whether Meghan’s choice of attire was a coincidence or intentional.

Britain’s Prince Harry and his wife Meghan Markle announced on February 14, 2021, that they are expecting their second child. Photo: The Duke and Duchess of Sussex/AFP

In February, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex announced that they are expecting their second child after their son Archie, who is nearly two years old. They released a sweet black and white portrait by Misan Harriman together with the announcement. In the photo, Meghan wore a custom Carolina Herrera dress that was first created for her by the brand’s creative director Wes Gordon when she was pregnant with Archie.