Has Meghan taken a leaf out of the Democrats’ style book?
A fashion historian has drawn parallels between the Duchess of Sussex and the dress choices of American politicians, particularly left-wing Democrats.
It has often been suggested that Meghan would like to start a career in US politics.
The Duchess has been outspoken in her support for Democrat-backed initiatives such as paid parental leave (while saying she’s acting as an “engaged citizen and parent.”)
Now, Rosie Harte, author of The Royal Wardrobe: A very fashionable history of the monarchy, suggests that Meghan’s style is increasingly “borrowing from the aesthetics of American female politicians, or politically adjacent figures, particularly from the Democratic side of the scale.”
![Has Meghan taken a leaf out of the Democrats' style book? 2 Democrat politician and Vice President of the United States Kamala Harris shortly before the Democrat's 2020 election victory](https://nybreaking.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/1687175216_368_Has-Meghan-taken-a-leaf-out-of-the-Democrats-style.jpg)
White is playing an increasingly important role in Meghan’s wardrobe, says writer Rosie Harte. The Duchess is seen here at the Invictus games in 2020. The author says white is also favored by Democratic politicians, such as Vice President Kamala Harris, pictured right, the same year
![Has Meghan taken a leaf out of the Democrats' style book? 4 Meghan wears a black pantsuit paired with an off-white blouse to a 2018 awards show](https://nybreaking.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/1687175218_486_Has-Meghan-taken-a-leaf-out-of-the-Democrats-style.jpg)
![Has Meghan taken a leaf out of the Democrats' style book? 6 The look will be matched by US Vice President Kamala Harris at an event this year.](https://nybreaking.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/1687175219_551_Has-Meghan-taken-a-leaf-out-of-the-Democrats-style.jpg)
Meghan wears a black pantsuit paired with an off-white blouse to a 2018 awards ceremony (left). The look is closely emulated by US Vice President Kamala Harris at an event this year.
![Has Meghan taken a leaf out of the Democrats' style book? 8 Meghan chose this bright yellow dress for a 2018 Commonwealth reception](https://nybreaking.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/1687175220_446_Has-Meghan-taken-a-leaf-out-of-the-Democrats-style.jpg)
![Has Meghan taken a leaf out of the Democrats' style book? 10 First Lady - and Democrat - Michelle Obama wore the same color two years earlier with similar bare shoulders and simple neckline, while welcoming Singapore's Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong](https://nybreaking.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/1687175222_112_Has-Meghan-taken-a-leaf-out-of-the-Democrats-style.jpg)
Meghan chose a bright yellow dress for a Commonwealth reception in 2018. It was reminiscent of a dress Michelle Obama wore two years earlier — with similar off-the-shoulder and simple neckline two years earlier — to welcome Singapore’s Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong
![Has Meghan taken a leaf out of the Democrats' style book? 12 The Duke and Duchess of Sussex will attend Robert F. Kennedy's 2022 Human Rights Gala](https://nybreaking.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/1687175223_581_Has-Meghan-taken-a-leaf-out-of-the-Democrats-style.jpg)
![Has Meghan taken a leaf out of the Democrats' style book? 14 First Lady Michelle Obama wears white at a 2015 Black Girls Rock event in New Jersey](https://nybreaking.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/1687175224_312_Has-Meghan-taken-a-leaf-out-of-the-Democrats-style.jpg)
Meghan chooses Democratic-friendly white as the Duke and Duchess of Sussex attend Robert F. Kennedy’s 2022 human rights gala. It echoed First Lady Michelle Obama’s style wearing white at a 2015 Black Girls Rock event in New Jersey
“All you have to do is follow the outfits worn by the Biden and Obama families at the 2021 inauguration to understand the tenets of that style,” Harte writes.
Monochrome color palettes, wide-leg pants as opposed to skirts or dresses, and big, bold coats that create a powerful silhouette.
“The outfits have a businesslike touch, suggesting that Meghan thought her new role would give her the opportunity to continue the social work she had already committed to, this time on a global scale.”
Harte, a TikTok influencer with 63,400 followers on Instagram, also says:
“There is another color of significance that is beginning to creep more prominently into Meghan’s wardrobe,” she writes, “particularly one that was also prevalent in the TIME magazine photo shoot: white.
She’s worn it for two of the major public appearances she’s attended since the controversial Oprah interview in early 2021, and I believe it has political inspiration as well.
In her first appearance at the 2022 Invictus Games, she wore an oversized Valentino trouser suit, and later, for the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Thanksgiving service, she wore a tight Dior jacket dress. Both were white.
In recent years, female Democratic politicians in the US have committed to wearing white to highlight important feminist issues and achievements, in homage to the suffragist movement that used the color as an emblem of their own movement.
![Has Meghan taken a leaf out of the Democrats' style book? 16 Monochrome Meghan arrives at the Cliveden Estate, where she stayed on the eve of her wedding in 2018](https://nybreaking.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/1687175226_959_Has-Meghan-taken-a-leaf-out-of-the-Democrats-style.jpg)
![Has Meghan taken a leaf out of the Democrats' style book? 18 Michelle Obama took the same business approach in 2015 when she participated in a panel promoting The Power of an Educated Girl in New York](https://nybreaking.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/1687175230_505_Has-Meghan-taken-a-leaf-out-of-the-Democrats-style.jpg)
Sporting her favorite monochromatic look, Meghan (left) arrives at the Cliveden Estate, where she stayed on the eve of her wedding in 2018. Michelle Obama took the same corporate approach in 2015 when she took part in a panel that featured The Power of an Educated Girl in New York promoted
“It’s essentially become shorthand for female power and group identity, making it a poignant choice for Meghan to wear on what will likely be some of the most difficult occasions in her public life.”
In 2021, Harry and Meghan appeared to poke fun at President Trump with a video clip stating that “it is vital that we reject hate speech, misinformation and negativity online.”
That same year, The Sun received a memo suggesting that Harry and Meghan had participated in an online meeting with Democratic Governor of California Gavin Newsom. The governor’s office would not comment on what was discussed.
Friends of the Sussexes have previously denied suggestions that they want to go into politics.
- The Royal Wardrobe: A Highly Fashionable History of the Monarchy by Rosie Harte is published by Headline. £22 in hard cover