Fashion insiders reportedly hold talks over Meghan Markle’s return to the UK
The return of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex to Britain has placed major British fashion labels in a tricky position, it is understood.
Multiple brands are now holding internal discussions over whether to dress Meghan Markle, with several forced to “pick a side” between the Duchess and the Princess of Wales, according to industry sources.
“We’ve had to have a meeting about it,” one insider told the Express.
“We were about to send some products to her team when someone asked, ‘Is it worth it?’, as we currently have Kate and other royals wearing our brand.”
The return of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex to Britain has placed major British fashion labels in a tricky position, it is understood
Meghan Markle’s return to Britain is reportedly creating an unexpected dilemma for some of the country’s fashion brands, with industry insiders claiming that several labels are now discussing whether they should continue dressing the Duchess of Sussex.
According to sources cited by the Express, some British fashion houses are concerned that working with Meghan could affect their existing relationships with Catherine, Princess of Wales, and other members of the Royal Family.
One insider described the situation as serious enough to require an internal meeting.
“We’ve had to have a meeting about it,” the source said.
The insider claimed the brand had been preparing to send products to Meghan’s team when someone questioned whether it was worth proceeding, given that Kate and other royals already wear the label.
The concern appears to centre less on fashion itself than on the commercial relationships that come with royal patronage and visibility.
Brands face a difficult choice
For some labels, the question is whether styling Meghan could potentially put their relationships with other members of the Royal Family at risk.
One source made clear where their brand’s priority lies, saying: “The Princess is our priority and we’ve decided to continue supporting her.”
The insider added: “We don’t want to risk losing her so Meghan won’t be getting anything from us.”
The comments highlight the delicate position some British fashion houses may find themselves in as Harry and Meghan establish a renewed presence in the UK.
However, there is no indication that Catherine herself would sever ties with a designer simply because the same brand also dressed Meghan. The two women have also developed distinctly different approaches to fashion.
Kate and Meghan have different fashion identities
Catherine is generally associated with understated sophistication, often opting for structured tailoring, clean silhouettes and monochromatic looks.
Meghan, meanwhile, has frequently favoured oversized shapes and muted, neutral colours.
Despite those differences, the Princess of Wales and the Duchess of Sussex have both been known to wear some of the same designers, meaning that brands can find themselves navigating an overlap between two highly recognisable royal figures.
The situation is further complicated by the fact that the pair are understood not to have been in contact for years.
Yet their influence over fashion consumers remains significant in very different ways.
The commercial power behind royal fashion
Catherine’s ability to generate attention for the brands she wears has become widely associated with what is often called the “Kate effect”.
When the Princess is photographed wearing a particular designer or label, consumer interest and demand can increase dramatically, potentially providing valuable exposure for the brand.
Meghan also has considerable influence over fashion and has sought to use that influence commercially.
In an interview with Women’s Weekly, Meghan spoke about wanting to give designers and brands the “credit” they deserve, explaining that clothing can communicate something even without words.
“Even if you don’t say a word, you can convey something in what you wear,” she said.
That commercial influence helps explain why Meghan’s return to Britain could present a complicated decision for fashion labels already working closely with members of the Royal Family.
For some brands, the issue is no longer simply about which clothes to send or which royal to dress. It is about carefully managing relationships with two women whose appearances can carry considerable attention — while navigating the very different positions they now occupy within the wider royal story.
