Meghan Markle, the Duchess of Sussex, made her return to Instagram in early 2025, offering her followers a peek into her life. In February, she posted several stories showcasing the early signs of spring, likely taken at her home in Montecito, where she lives with Prince Harry, the Duke of Sussex. Among the images, she also shared a brief clip of herself laughing. However, it was the purple sweatshirt she wore that truly grabbed attention. The sweatshirt, emblazoned with Northwestern University, closely resembled one worn by Princess Diana in 1996.
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Some believe Meghan wore the sweatshirt intentionally to create a connection between herself and Diana in the public’s eyes. One critic remarked on X (previously Twitter), stating, “Meghan Markle’s fixation on imitating Diana has shifted from eager to unsettling.” Another wrote, “If she dedicated even a fraction of the energy she invests in channeling Diana into discovering her own identity, it would be a true wonder.”
Meghan Markle’s Diana Twin Moment May Have Been Unplanned
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Meghan Markle has certainly paid homage to Princess Diana’s timeless style in the past. It’s possible that her wearing the Northwestern sweatshirt is a nod to Diana, her late mother-in-law. However, the sweatshirt itself might simply be a coincidence. Meghan herself is a Northwestern alum, having graduated in 2003 with a double major in international studies and theater.
Diana received the Northwestern sweatshirt as a gift during her visit to the Chicago area in June 1996. She was in town to support breast cancer research and took a tour of Northwestern University during her trip. Diana was photographed wearing the oversized sweatshirt paired with white bike shorts—her go-to sporty look when she wasn’t attending formal events. In addition to the Northwestern sweatshirt, she was also seen wearing a Harvard sweatshirt and one from Virgin Atlantic while heading to and from the gym. So, if Meghan is ever spotted in one of those, it will likely spark even more speculation that she’s deliberately channeling Diana’s style.
Meghan’s Instagram Story showcasing her Diana-inspired moment comes amid the hold-up for her Netflix series; the trailer for With Love, Meghan was released in January, but the Los Angeles fires caused a delay. It also follows soon after Meghan’s rebranding of her lifestyle line. Previously named “American Riviera Orchard,” the brand is now called “As Ever.”
