Royal fashion face off! Meghan Markle channels the Princess of Wales’ Earthshot Prize look in New York ahead of bombshell Netflix documentary that could be ‘uncomfortable’ for Kate

  • Meghan Markle, 41, donned a custom-made off-the-shoulder Louis Vuitton dress 
  • The Duchess' white formfitting gown featured long sleeves and belt detailing 
  • Royal was attending Ripple of Hope Awards in New York last night with Harry 
  • Appearance came days after Kate Middleton wore a similar design on Friday 
  • Princess of Wales opted for an off-the-shoulder dress for Earthshot Prize event

Meghan Markle looked to the Princess of Wales for inspiration last night, as she donned an off-the-shoulder Louis Vuitton dress - which was near identical to a gown her sister-in-law wore days earlier. 

The Duchess of Sussex, 41 - who is currently living in a $14 million California mansion after stepping back from royal duties - joined her husband, the Duke, 38, in New York yesterday to receive an 'anti-racism' award at the Ripple of Hope Gala.

The royal went all out with her ensemble for the evening, opting to wear a custom-made form-fitting white Louis Vuitton gown that left her shoulders completely exposed, and also featured a racy thigh-high split that flashed her lean legs as she strutted through the Manhattan rain.

The look from the mother-of-two was strikingly similar to one worn by Kate Middleton days earlier  - when she stepped out in the Sabrina frock, by Solace London, which she rented for £74 from fashion site Hurr. 

Meghan Markle, 41, looked to the Princess of Wales, 40, (pictured) for inspiration last night, as she donned an off-the-shoulder Louis Vuitton dress
Meghan Markle (pictured) looked to the Princess of Wales for inspiration last night, as she donned an off-the-shoulder Louis Vuitton dress

Meghan Markle, 41, looked to the Princess of Wales, 40, for inspiration last night, as she donned an off-the-shoulder Louis Vuitton dress - which was near identical to a gown her sister-in-law wore days earlier

Meghan paired her white off-the-shoulder look with a boxy black clutch and long gold earrings, while her brunette locks were slicked back into a low bun, allowing her glamorous makeup look to shine through. 

Her dress bore an uncanny resemblance to the bold green gown worn by the Princess of Wales on Friday, when she and Prince William hosted the eco-friendly Earthshot Gala in Boston, an event that was dramatically overshadowed by the release of Harry and Meghan's first bombshell Netflix trailer. 

Much like Kate's gown - which was rented in keeping with the environmental ethos of the Earthshot Prize - Meghan's dress had an off-the-shoulder neckline, long sleeves, and a slit, although the Princess of Wales' was at the back of her gown, while the Duchess of Sussex's ran up the front of her design. 

Unlike Kate's dress, a Solace London design that was rented from online fashion platform HURR at a price of £74 a night, Meghan's gown had a much steeper price tag. 

The dresses, which the two women wore days apart from each other, appeared even more similar in a black and white behind-the-scenes image of Kate at the Earthshot Award
The dresses, which the two women wore days apart from each other, appeared even more similar in a black and white behind-the-scenes image of Kate at the Earthshot Award

The dresses, which the two women wore days apart from each other, appeared even more similar in a black and white behind-the-scenes image of Kate at the Earthshot Award (left) 

In fact, the Duchess's white gown was a one-of-a-kind piece designed for her by Louis Vuitton's creative director Nicolas Ghesquière, according to Vogue.

Kate's gown boasted a 'body conscious fit', and a concealed closure belt to define the waist, as well as the brand's signature high kick split. 

The similarities between the two dresses is even more obvious when considering the black and white snaps which were shared by the Prince and Princess of Wales last night. 

In fact, the women have donned alike clothing many times, despite their rocky relationship; it appears that Meghan is a big fan of Kate's style, as she's often been seen sporting looks similar to those that Kate previously wore over the years. 

Back in October 2018, the former Suits star was seen wearing a burgundy printed frock by & Other Stories while out in Fraser Island. Meanwhile, Kate opted for a very similar long-sleeve polka dot dress of the same color by British retailer Whistles, when she attended a reception for Radio One's Teen Heroes of 2018 at Kensington Palace a few days earlier.

Meghan was twinning with Kate once again when attended an Instagram dinner in Toronto in May 2016 in a blue wrap gown, which looked just like a dress that Kate was in during her engagement photo call with Prince William in November 2010.

The Duchess of Sussex appeared to channel Kate's style once more when she wore a Burberry coat while visiting Scotland with her husband in February 2018, as Kate was seen rocking an Alexander McQueen coatdress with a very alike pattern years earlier - at the St. Andrew's Day festival in 2012.

And earlier this year, Meghan appeared to look to Kate for inspiration as she attended the Nelson Mandela International Day at the United Nations Headquarters.

The Princess of Wales donned a hired gown for the awards, rented from HURR London (pictured with Prince William at the Earthshot Prize Awards at Fenway Music Hall in Boston)

The Princess of Wales donned a hired gown for the awards, rented from HURR London (pictured with Prince William at the Earthshot Prize Awards at Fenway Music Hall in Boston)

Pictured: Princess of Wales
Pictured: Princess of Wales

Much like Meghan's dress, the floor length gown featured an off the shoulder cut, full length sleeves, a thick belt and a high slit in the hemline 

Meghan opted for a bold black and white Gabriela Hearst fitted strapless jumpsuit for the occasion, which she paired with black stilettos and a red bag.

The look from the mother-of-two was near identical to one worn by the Duchess of Cambridge, 40, back in May - when she stepped out in a £2,700 ($32,000) Roland Mouret black gown with an identical white strap detail at the Top Gun: Maverick premiere.  

Prince Harry was seen wrapping a protective arm around Meghan Markle as they sat for dinner at the gala on Tuesday night.

Meghan could be seen taking hold of Harry's hand as he put his arm around her shoulder, just before the pair took the stage to accept an 'anti-racism' award. 

In fact, the Duchess's white gown was a one-of-a-kind piece designed for her by Louis Vuitton's creative director Nicolas Ghesquière, according to Vogue

In fact, the Duchess's white gown was a one-of-a-kind piece designed for her by Louis Vuitton's creative director Nicolas Ghesquière, according to Vogue  

Harry, 38, held an umbrella over himself and Meghan, who guided her husband into the event by the hand

Harry, 38, held an umbrella over himself and Meghan, who guided her husband into the event by the hand 

Seated alongside Meghan onstage, Harry discussed the importance of storytelling, saying 'ultimately we live in this world now where sharing experiences and sharing stories has an enormous impact,' adding it was important to undertake 'if you are in a position of influence, leadership, or otherwise.'

The couple were very animated as they spoke before the crowd, breaking up in laughter together at times and exchanging loving touches at others.

The couple were attending the gala - an event for which tickets were being sold for up to $1 million each - to accept the human rights award from the Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights Foundation, a prize that counts Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton among its former recipients. Onstage they were interviewed by Kerry Kennedy, president of the foundation and daughter of its namesake.

It comes as a royal expert said Harry and Meghan's Netflix documentary 'could be very uncomfortable' for the Princess of Wales by focusing on the 'early days' of her relationship with William and revisiting a notorious row she had with Meghan.

The Duchess paired her white dress with a boxy black clutch and matching heels, and she had her dark brunette locks pulled back into a low bun, allowing her glamorous makeup look to shine
The Duchess paired her white dress with a boxy black clutch and matching heels, and she had her dark brunette locks pulled back into a low bun, allowing her glamorous makeup look to shine

The Duchess paired her white dress with a boxy black clutch and matching heels, and she had her dark brunette locks pulled back into a low bun, allowing her glamorous makeup look to shine 

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle beamed from ear to ear as they arrived at a glittering New York City gala on Tuesday night - when they will accept an award for the 'heroic' stance against 'structural racism' in the Monarchy

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle beamed from ear to ear as they arrived at a glittering New York City gala on Tuesday night - when they will accept an award for the 'heroic' stance against 'structural racism' in the Monarchy

A new trailer released this week gave the strongest signal yet that the Sussexes will seek to reopen old wounds as they seek to justify Megxit, with Harry claiming they suffered from leaks and planted stories that backed up the Royal Family 'hierarchy'.   

The duke, 38, also took aim at royal aides, smirking as he commented, 'It's a dirty game', while an ally of the California-based couple provocatively claiming there had been a 'war' against Meghan since she entered the Royal Family. 

Today, Jack Royston, chief royal correspondent at Newsweek, said the content of the trailer suggested the documentary would not just concern itself with recent events but also delve into the more distant past - including the rocky early days of William and Kate's romance.

He told Good Morning Britain: 'We've had Kate in both the trailers. In the most recent one there's a strapline underneath which is a headline from a magazine cover... 

Meghan Markle and Prince Harry can be seen during an onstage interview at the Ripple of Hope Gala in New York City on Tuesday night

Meghan Markle and Prince Harry can be seen during an onstage interview at the Ripple of Hope Gala in New York City on Tuesday night

'That particular magazine included an allegation that the Queen was embarrassed of her and photographs of her drunk in public were on the front cover.

'So if they're going to go into the early days of Kate and William's relationship that could be very uncomfortable.'

Mr Royston also predicted Netflix would revisit a story from 2018 which claimed that Meghan made Kate cry when she unfavourably compared Princess Charlotte to her best friend's daughter during a bridesmaid fitting.

He added: 'In the Oprah interview that was described as a major turning point where everything changed then in this latest Netflix trailer you have Harry saying ''this was the turning point'' – they don't say what he's talking about but you kind of already know.'

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