5 times Meghan Markle copied Princess Diana and stirred controversies

Ever since Meghan Markle has married Prince Harry, she never fails to make it to the headlines-- although, not for good reasons always. Meghan has often drawn comparisons to her late mother-in-law, Princess Diana— both known for their elegance, humanitarian work, and complicated relationships with the royal family. But beyond similarities in personality and values, Meghan has repeatedly public gestures or choices that are just too similar to Diana’s iconic moments which has made many question-- Is Meghan trying to copy Diana and her legacy? And for this, Markle has often even been much criticised. Here we list some instances where Meghan was accused of copying Diana, and some of these moments have even stirred controversies:

Meghan’s Oprah interview with Prince Harry in 2021 closely mirrored Diana’s famous 1995 BBC interview with Martin Bashir. Both women spoke out about royal pressures, mental health struggles, and feeling isolated within the monarchy. While Meghan’s supporters praised her courage, critics claimed the timing and format too closely resembled Diana’s iconic interview. The interview stirred global headlines, with many believing Meghan consciously followed Diana’s footsteps to challenge the royal institution and control her narrative.

Be it when Meghan and Prince Harry were a part of the British Royal family or after their exit, the Sussex are often seen holding hands in public and even indulging in some Public display of affection (PDA)— something rarely seen among senior royals! This reminds one of Princess Diana and Dodi Al-Fayed’s PDA in the 1990s. Royal traditionalists argue such behaviour breaks protocol, yet it reflects Diana’s emotionally open approach. Meghan’s hand-holding has been interpreted both as an act of love and a conscious echo of Diana’s rejection of royal stiffness. While the gesture seems harmless, it has fueled discussions about Meghan intentionally distancing herself from traditional royal behaviour and following Diana's footsteps-- all for gaining public sympathy.

As senior members of the British Royal family, Meghan frequently wore pieces from Diana’s jewellery collection, including her aquamarine cocktail ring and gold butterfly earrings. While wearing heirlooms is common in royal families, Meghan’s choice of pieces—especially during significant appearances— has gained much people's attention and drawn parallels. Some believed it's a tribute to Diana's legacy, while others argued it’s a calculated move to look like the late Princess.

Even after stepping back from official royal duties in 2020, Meghan and Harry continued thier humanitarian works through the Archewell Foundation— similar to Diana’s post-divorce humanitarian work with landmine victims and HIV patients! Both women used their platforms to highlight global issues, gaining admiration and media attention. Meghan’s philanthropic work has drawn comparisons to Diana’s efforts. But many critics have also questioned if it’s a strategy to mirror Diana’s global popularity. Supporters argue it’s Meghan embracing a path of purpose, inspired by Diana’s enduring legacy.

Meghan recently shared pictures and videos from her family trip with Prince Harry, Archie, and Lilibet to Disneyland. And to many, it reminded them of Prince Harry's childhood trip to the same place along with his late mom, Princess Diana, and his now-estranged elder brother William. While this made many people emotional, it also others question if Meghan shared these intentionally-- to look similar to Princess Diana and her unconventional life.

Photo credits: X/@lorrainemking