Meghan Markle Had a Princess Diana Moment in Her Sequined Halter Top
This evening, Meghan Markle attended her first Royal Variety Performance, a fundraising concert event benefiting the eponymous charity. For the formal affair at the London Palladium, the Duchess of Sussex dressed up in a sequined black halter top and maxi skirt by Safiyaa as she graced the red carpet with Prince Harry. Little did she know, her shimmery evening ensemble was reminiscent of one of her late mother-in-law's favorite styles.
Halter dresses don't immediately scream "royal wardrobe," but Princess Diana rocked the silhouette in the early '90s. One of her most famous halter dresses was this black Catherine Walker number, featuring a sequined strap and pocket flaps, which she wore in Versailles in 1994.
The same year, she wore another black glittery halter dress, this time with even more shimmer, to a Ritz Hotel party in London.
Another one of her signature halter looks was this light blue plunging dress, which she wore to the Serpentine Gallery in June 1995. The embroidered, summery frock was also by Catherine Walker.
There was also this high-neck two-tone number, which she wore to the London premiere of Far and Away in 1992.
And, of course, there was this bridal-inspired white lace number, embroidered with crystals, sequins, and pearls. The late princess wore the gown, again by Catherine Walker, to a gala in Washington, D.C. in 1996, shortly after her divorce from Prince Charles.
In fact, she thanked the designer with a personal note, crediting the gown for boosting her confidence as she stepped out post-breakup. "I was so proud and felt very confident to stride out there and deliver my first speech since the divorce," Princess Di penned in a letter to Walker, according to People.
Meghan's version of the halter look is far from an exact replica of any of Diana's outfits, but it's perhaps a more modern iteration of the style. Markle's take, for one, consisted of a thinner halter strap, a wrap design, and a bold leaf print.
The Duchess might not have intentionally paid tribute to her late mother-in-law tonight, but Diana's influence on her royal style is undeniable.
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