Meghan Markle, Duchess of Sussex, is reportedly seeking to move beyond past conflicts with Princess Kate, Princess of Wales, as suggested by her choice of attire during a recent public appearance, a fashion expert claims.
The Duchess visited the Children's Hospital Los Angeles on March 21, donning a $3,500 Oscar de la Renta shirt dress adorned with a floral pattern. According to Amber Graafland, fashion and beauty director for Mirror, this fashion choice might be laden with meaning.
The royal family often communicates through their fashion choices, a tactic Meghan Markle seems to have adopted adeptly to influence public perception, Graafland explained to The Sun's Fabulous. She speculated that Meghan's selection of a floral dress, which can signify purity, optimism, and friendship, was not solely aimed at cheering the children at the hospital but might also be extending a message of forgiveness to her sister-in-law, the Princess of Wales.
"Could Meghan be extending an olive branch to sister in-law Kate?" Graafland pondered, noting the symbolism of flowers in representing growth, bloom, and notably, forgiveness.
This conjecture comes at a time when Meghan Markle has embarked on a new business venture, American Riviera Orchard, indicating her desire to leave past controversies behind. "There is no doubt that Meghan is keen to put events of the past few years behind her," Graafland stated, hinting at the Duchess's intention to mend fences amidst new beginnings.
Meghan Markle first wore the Oscar de la Renta floral dress during a visit to the United Kingdom in the summer of 2022 with Prince Harry and their children, Archie and Lilibet, for Queen Elizabeth's Platinum Jubilee celebrations. This reiteration of the dress might echo Princess Kate's well-known practice of outfit recycling, a nod to sustainability and perhaps, reconciliation.
The relationship between the two Duchesses has been a topic of media speculation since Meghan Markle married into the royal family, with tensions reportedly escalating after the Duke and Duchess of Sussex relinquished their royal duties, relocated to the United States, and aired their grievances through a Netflix docuseries and Prince Harry's memoir, "Spare."
In a 2021 interview with Oprah Winfrey, Meghan Markle refuted claims that she had brought Kate to tears, suggesting instead that "the reverse happened."
The revelation of Princess Kate's cancer diagnosis last month stirred hopes among some observers for a resolution to the long-standing rift between the Sussexes and the rest of the royal family. However, sources close to the Princess and Prince William suggest there are no immediate plans for reconciliation following the Sussexes' disclosures.
Meanwhile, as Prince Harry gears up for the UK return to mark the 10th anniversary of the Invictus Games, an inadvertent update on the official St. Paul's Cathedral website last week revealed the specific timing of the May 8 service, sparking widespread attention.
This disclosure came despite efforts to keep the details under wraps for security reasons, raising speculation about whether Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, and their children will join him, Express UK reported.
The upcoming visit puts a spotlight on the complex relationship between the Sussexes and the British public, exacerbated by their candid Netflix documentary, which offered a critical view of the UK's societal norms and media behavior, including allegations of bullying and racism.
Further controversy stemmed from discussions in the documentary about the speculated skin color of their son Archie, inciting debates about racism within royal circles. Their last appearance in London for the Platinum Jubilee was met with audible disapproval, signaling a strained connection with the public.
Since then, the release of Prince Harry's book "Spare" and journalist Omid Scobie's "Endgame" have intensified the discourse, with both works critiquing the royal family and its institutions. The Sussexes' attempts to maintain a presence in the UK, despite these tensions, underscore a complex relationship with the nation and its royal traditions.
Prince Harry's endeavors to participate in royal duties and leverage his title for philanthropic efforts, amid mixed success in Hollywood, reflect a longing for reintegration into royal life. This ambition, however, is seen by some as incongruent with the couple's recent actions and public statements, casting doubt on their motives and the authenticity of their attempts to reconcile with the royal family and the British public.
The narrative of a possible "Sussex rehabilitation" faces skepticism, particularly regarding the Meghan Markle's role in the couple's public image and the challenges they've encountered. The British public's apprehension about welcoming them back underscores deep-seated issues that go beyond mere celebrity status, touching on themes of loyalty, tradition, and national identity.
The prospect of forgiveness and reacceptance into the royal fold and by the British people is complicated by the couple's history and the public's perception of their actions. Prince Harry's transformation from a beloved national figure to a controversial one, in part attributed to his marriage, represents a significant shift in his relationship with the country he served.
