Depending on what you read or watch, Meghan Markle is best known either as a source of drama within the royal family or as the underdog who broke free from it. Yet despite being arguably the most scrutinized woman in modern media, she has the smooth, polished taste of a lifestyle influencer. This struck me while watching the holiday special of her Netflix show, With Love, Meghan, where she shares tips on how to “delight and surprise” loved ones—like making advent calendars with handwritten notes instead of chocolates for her kids, or preparing a salad full of ingredients Prince Harry dislikes.
That might make the show sound engaging, but in reality, it’s so devoid of conflict or tension that even a poorly made Christmas cracker is presented as a symbol of “the perfect imperfection that comes from human connection,” as guest star Will Guidara describes it. Markle responds with an earnest, wide-eyed “Yes!” I found myself captivated by moments like these—when she says “a tradition has to have a beginning” or that “a tree is part of my memory and love of the holiday season.” The whole experience has a soothing, almost hypnotic effect, like slipping into The Row’s “Natural”-colored Bowie cashmere sweater—which Markle does while demonstrating how to arrange a crudité wreath (essentially placing tenderstem broccoli in a circle on a plate).
This shift to whimsical domestic guru won’t surprise anyone familiar with The Tig, the blog Markle ran from 2014 to 2017, where she shared recipes, travel guides, and style tips before reportedly shutting it down upon joining the royal family. With Love, Meghan—along with her companion brand, As Ever—allows her to revisit that unfinished chapter, one jar of homemade honey at a time. It’s also why the project feels so rooted in the millennial era. Looking back at screenshots of The Tig, it’s clear her core aesthetic hasn’t changed: organic hues (“Play with soft neutrals like light grey and cream”), Panama hats (“Lord knows I love a hat”), and jumpsuits (“If you’re smaller, opt for a sleeveless, more basic version since it’ll draw the eyes toward your legs”).
But the blog also reveals that Markle has long aspired to be part of the fashion world. She documented New York Fashion Week, analyzed street-style trends, and even wrote about Paris Fashion Week—despite never having attended. (No judgment: I get paid to do the same.) In one post, she reviewed Valentino’s spring 2015 collection, praising the “beautiful minidresses & red carpet-worthy gowns” by designers Maria Grazia Chiuri and Pierpaolo Piccioli. It’s noteworthy, then, that Chiuri later dressed her in custom Dior for a 2022 service at St. Paul’s Cathedral honoring Queen Elizabeth II’s jubilee—and that nearly a decade later, Markle was the guest of honor at Piccioli’s debut for Balenciaga during the spring 2026 Paris Fashion Week.
The Vogue team hadn’t mobilized with such urgency since the Queen’s passing. Even I—an editor largely indifferent to royals and fame (which, I know, makes me fascinating)—let out a small gasp when Markle made a last-minute appearance on the Balenciaga livestream, dressed in an oversized ivory button-down, wide-legged trousers, and…She wore a dramatic, oversized shawl, a grander take on her usual clean-lined Montecito style. After all, wasn’t she supposed to be quietly tending her garden? Wasn’t her fame too immense for her to even want to be there? This may have been the most successful PR move of 2025: the world’s most discussed woman, who is rarely seen without meticulous staging, upended the fashion week hierarchy so completely that even the VIPs were left watching from the sidelines. Not Rihanna, not Beyoncé, not even Taylor Swift could command that much power in a room.
The effect was mutual: Piccioli’s debut became a highlight in a season packed with new designer arrivals, while Markle solidified her place within the modern cultural elite. She was no longer just an actress, a former royal, a wealthy founder, or a relatable momfluencer once promoting striped Ralph Lauren shirts online. She had become a singular force, moving seamlessly between charitable summits, most-watched lists, front rows, and Kris Jenner’s parties. (Now there’s a woman who understands rebranding.) By the time Markle changed into her second look of the night—a black, caped dress at the after-party—the consensus was clear: something iconic had occurred. A line had been crossed. A post-palace Meghan had been validated on fashion’s grandest stage.
She shouldn’t repeat this—at least not for a long while—because it was her very absence from these industry events that made her appearance feel so transgressive. It proved that Markle is more than the persona the press has shaped. She is more than the approachable, algorithm-friendly Sézane tees, Dôen skirts, and SeaVees rain boots—even when paired with Cartier bracelets and Hermès sandals. She is now embracing what she once called “champagne chic” on her blog, The Tig: a status that is earned, not inherited. If the royal family deals in symbolic capital, fashion trades in cultural capital, and Meghan’s aim since stepping back from her royal title has been to transform one into the other. As she wrote years ago, “I happen to love all things chic, and I certainly have a propensity for embracing all things Francophile.” So don’t be surprised if—and it’s a big if—she ascends the steps of the 2026 Met Gala in custom Balenciaga.
Frequently Asked Questions
Of course Here is a list of FAQs about the style evolution of Meghan Duchess of Sussex in 2025 framed as questions a real person might ask
FAQs Meghan Markles 2025 Style Transformation
Beginner General Questions
1 What do people mean by a permanent style transformation for Meghan in 2025
It means her fashion choices in 2025 marked a clear and lasting shift from her previous royal and California casual looks to a new solidified personal aesthetic that she has consistently carried forward
2 What was her style like before 2025
Previously it was a mix of tailored conservative pieces for royal duties and relaxed minimalist California casual wear
3 What are the key elements of her new 2025andbeyond style
The hallmarks are power suiting architectural silhouettes monochromatic outfits and a focus on independent or sustainable designers over major luxury houses
4 Why did her style change so much in 2025
This period coincided with her and Prince Harry firmly establishing their independent professional and philanthropic path The style shift reflects a move into a defined role as a businesswoman philanthropist and public figure on her own terms free from royal protocol
Advanced Detailed Questions
5 How is her 2025 transformation different from just following trends
Its considered a transformation because its strategic and messagedriven Each outfit often aligns with the purpose of her appearancepower suits for speaking engagements elegant but less formal dresses for community workcreating a cohesive professional brand wardrobe
6 Did she stop wearing any particular items after 2025
Yes she significantly moved away from the ultrafitted kneelength cocktail dresses that were a royal wardrobe staple She also wears fewer overtly girlnextdoor pieces like distressed denim favoring a more polished and powerful uniform
7 Can you give a specific example of an outfit that defined this change
A prime example would be a vibrant tailored pantsuit eg in emerald green or bright