Meghan Markle has reportedly suffered a major blow following her return to the UK, with fashion brands said to be choosing Princess Catherine over the Duchess of Sussex.
The Duchess of Sussex has arrived back in Britain, prompting fresh speculation about her plans and whether she could make any public appearances during her visit.
But while attention turns to what Meghan may wear during her time in the UK, it appears some British fashion brands have already made their choice.
According to a fashion insider who spoke to the Express, Princess Catherine remains the priority for several labels because of her position as the future Queen.
The source revealed that some brands have even held discussions about whether working with Meghan would be worth the risk while they already have relationships with Catherine and other members of the Royal Family.
“We’ve had to have a meeting about it,” the insider said.
“We were about to send some products to her team when someone asked, ‘Is it worth it?’, as we currently have Catherine and other royals wearing our brand.”
The comments suggest that the rivalry surrounding the two women is still being felt within the fashion world, with some designers apparently unwilling to risk their relationship with the Princess of Wales.
Princess Catherine comes first
Catherine has become one of the biggest fashion influencers in Britain, with her outfits regularly attracting attention whenever she steps out for a royal engagement.
The Princess of Wales has also become closely associated with a number of British designers and fashion labels.
When Catherine wears an item, it can quickly receive widespread attention, with royal fans often searching for the designer behind her outfit.
Her future role within the monarchy could make that relationship even more valuable.
As the wife of Prince William, Catherine is expected to one day become Queen when her husband succeeds King Charles.
For fashion houses, maintaining a relationship with her could therefore be viewed as a long-term investment.
A second source claimed that some fashion figures have already decided where their loyalty lies.
“The Princess is our priority, and we’ve decided to continue supporting her,” the source said.
“We don’t want to risk losing her, so Meghan won’t be getting anything from us.”
If the comments are accurate, they represent a particularly difficult moment for Meghan as she returns to the country where she first became a senior member of the Royal Family.
Meghan’s UK return puts fashion choices under the spotlight
Meghan’s return has inevitably attracted attention because of how much her relationship with Britain has changed since she and Prince Harry stepped down as working royals.
The couple relocated to the United States and have since built a life away from the day-to-day duties of the Royal Family.
As a result, Meghan’s appearances in the UK have become relatively rare, with every visit attracting significant interest from royal watchers.
Her fashion choices are also closely followed.
During her time as a working royal, Meghan frequently made headlines for her outfits, with designers benefiting from the attention generated by her appearances.
However, the latest reports suggest that some British brands may now be more cautious about working with her.
The issue is particularly sensitive because of the long-running comparisons between Meghan and Catherine.
Catherine and Meghan continue to be compared
The two women have been compared since Meghan joined the Royal Family after marrying Prince Harry.
Interest in their relationship intensified following the Sussexes’ decision to step away from royal duties and move to the US.
Harry and Meghan later spoke publicly about their experiences within the Royal Family, including difficult moments involving other members of the family.
Their revelations led to renewed scrutiny of the relationship between the Sussexes and the Waleses.
Since then, Catherine and Meghan have frequently found themselves at the centre of comparisons, from their public appearances to their fashion choices.
The latest claims involving British designers are likely to add another chapter to that ongoing story.
For Meghan, however, there are still plenty of options outside the British fashion industry.
She has developed strong links with international and American designers and is not dependent on British labels for her wardrobe.
Her global profile also means that designers who choose to work with her could still receive considerable exposure.
Catherine appears to have the upper hand
For now, the reported comments from fashion insiders suggest that Catherine has the advantage among some British brands.
Her position as a senior working royal and future Queen gives her a level of influence that Meghan no longer has.
While Meghan may still command enormous international attention, Catherine remains firmly at the centre of the Royal Family and continues to be one of the most recognisable figures in British fashion.
As Meghan’s UK visit continues, all eyes will be on whether she makes any public appearances — and which designers, if any, choose to dress her.
For some British fashion houses, the decision already appears to have been made.
