Meghan Markle Channels Princess Diana in Shoulder-Baring Gown

The Duchess of Sussex wore a strapless dress reminiscent of one worn by the late Princess of Wales.

Feb. 9, 2026 at 8:39am

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Meghan Markle, the Duchess of Sussex, turned heads at the 2026 Fifteen Percent Pledge Fundraising Gala in Los Angeles, wearing a strapless gown that bore a striking resemblance to a dress worn by the late Princess Diana in 1991. The oyster-toned satin dress, designed by Harbison Studio, featured a sweetheart neckline, fitted bodice, and fishtail silhouette, similar to the blush pink frock worn by Diana to a performance of 'La Bohème' at Sadler's Wells Theatre.

Why it matters

Meghan's choice to wear a dress so similar to one of Princess Diana's iconic looks is seen as a touching tribute to her late mother-in-law, whose effortless style and elegance continue to inspire fashion enthusiasts around the world. The parallels between the two dresses highlight the enduring influence of Diana's fashion legacy.

The details

Meghan's dress featured a statement black detail at the top, creating an off-the-shoulder, sweetheart neckline. The body-skimming silhouette and floor-grazing hem gave the gown a classic Hollywood glamour. Meghan accessorized the look with a black shawl and Stuart Weitzman 'Nudist 100' heels, completing the Old Hollywood-inspired ensemble. The dress's satin texture and blush pink hue closely mirrored the frock worn by Princess Diana in 1991, which also featured contrasting black inserts at the neckline.

  • Meghan Markle wore the dress to the 2026 Fifteen Percent Pledge Fundraising Gala on February 9, 2026.
  • Princess Diana wore a similar dress to a performance of 'La Bohème' at Sadler's Wells Theatre in London in 1991.

The players

Meghan Markle

The Duchess of Sussex, who is the wife of Prince Harry and a former actress.

Princess Diana

The late Princess of Wales, who was the first wife of King Charles and the mother of Princes William and Harry.

Harbison Studio

The fashion label that designed the dress worn by Meghan Markle at the 2026 Fifteen Percent Pledge Fundraising Gala.

Tomasz Starzewski

The British-born Polish designer who created the dress worn by Princess Diana in 1991.

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What they’re saying

“As soon as I saw this dress, I had a hunch I had seen something similar before. As a fashion and beauty editor who has been specialising in royal style for over eight years, plenty of styles remain etched in my mind.”

— Laura Sutcliffe, Fashion and Beauty Editor

The takeaway

Meghan Markle's choice to wear a dress so similar to one of Princess Diana's iconic looks serves as a touching tribute to her late mother-in-law, whose effortless style and elegance continue to inspire fashion enthusiasts around the world. The parallels between the two dresses highlight the enduring influence of Diana's fashion legacy.