In the latest portraits of Meghan Markle and Prince Harry, some royal viewers see red.
The Duchess of Sussex, who returned to California with her husband after Queen Elizabeth II’s funeral on Sept. 19, wears a red tie-belt blouse in two new photos released Monday by photographer Misan Harriman — and her appearance draws comparisons to Wallis Simpson, the American divorcee who caused King Edward VIII to abdicate in 1936.
Markle, 41, wears Another Tomorrow’s “Bow Blouse” ($540) along with the brand’s red pants ($590) and stares straight at the camera in one photo, which bears a striking resemblance to a photo of Simpson from 1971.
The royal – who became the Duchess of Windsor after marrying Queen Elizabeth’s uncle King Edward VIII, later known as the Duke of Windsor – wore a red long-sleeved ensemble in the vintage photo, with the attached scarf band of hers. dress thrown over the same shoulder as Markle’s.
Fans have pointed out that the current Duchess wears similar gold earrings to the one Simpson wore in the 1970s snapshot and has a center part with her hair pulled back, along with a similar facial expression.
In another photo – taken in black and white by Harriman, who is a friend of the Sussexes – the Duke and Duchess of Sussex are shown in profile, staring into the distance along the lines of a portrait released of the Windsors years ago. .
Royal fans on Twitter were quick to point out the similarities between the red outfits, and unsurprisingly, the comments weren’t positive. “JEEZ it’s creepy” a user wrotesharing a collage of four of Meghan’s outfits compared to those as worn by Simpson, who is said to be a Nazi sympathizer.
“Here we go again,” another account wrote. “Also pay attention to the earrings? Anyone would think MM enjoys the role of pantomime villain.”
Indeed, this isn’t the first time royal fans have pointed out that Markle appears to be mimicking some of Wallis Simpsons’ looks.
In 2021, the black and white Armani dress she wore during the infamous interview with Oprah Winfrey of Sussex was compared to a dress the Duchess of Windsor wore with a similar pattern.
The head-to-toe Dior outfit she wore to a Thanksgiving service for Queen Elizabeth II’s Platinum Jubilee this summer reminded me of to a white look worn by Simpson.
Author Anna Pasternak, who wrote “The American Duchess” about Wallis Simpson, wrote in the Daily Mail on Tuesday that “this week was far from the first time Meghan has modeled her look on Wallis.”
And while she noted the similarities between the two women as American divorcees, she advised Markle to perhaps look at history differently by keeping quiet about her time with the royals.
“Meghan got everything from the royal family that Wallis was denied: an HRH title, a royal wedding and a warm welcome from the Windsors,” Pasternak said. “Yet none of this was enough for the former Mrs. Markle.”
“Meghan may be a fan of the elegance of the Duchess of Windsor,” she continued. “Now some would say she might do well to imitate Wallis in other ways as well — and observe a dignified silence.”