Meghan Markle has reportedly been dealt a stinging blow after fashion bible Vogue crowned Princess Catherine as its Global Style Icon 2025, leaving the Duchess of Sussex conspicuously off the list — and, insiders claim, “deeply shaken”.
According to royal-watchers and industry sources, the decision landed like a thunderclap. For Meghan, who once positioned herself as the modern, Hollywood-flavoured future of royal fashion, the snub is being described as more than just a missed accolade — it’s a symbolic defeat.
“She Wanted That Title,” a source close to the fashion world claimed. “Meghan has always believed she represented a new kind of royal glamour. Watching Vogue choose Catherine instead felt like the final word — and it hurt.”
The irony is hard to miss. While Meghan has spent years crafting a post-royal image through podcast deals, streaming projects and carefully curated appearances, it is Princess Catherine’s quiet consistency that appears to have won over editors, designers and global audiences alike.
Vogue’s praise for Catherine reportedly focused on her “timeless elegance, restraint, and cultural influence,” highlighting her ability to elevate British designers while remaining relatable to women around the world. No controversy. No reinvention. No drama.
“It’s Kate’s biggest fashion victory yet,” said one palace insider. “And she didn’t chase it. That’s the difference.”
By contrast, critics argue Meghan’s fashion narrative has struggled to regain momentum since stepping away from royal duties. Once hailed for breaking protocol and embracing bold silhouettes, her recent looks have been labelled by some commentators as “inconsistent” and “over-styled”.
“The fashion world values authenticity,” a stylist familiar with Vogue’s inner circle revealed. “Kate’s image feels organic. Meghan’s feels… managed.”
Sources claim the snub has reignited long-simmering tensions between the two women in the public imagination. While Meghan has always denied any rivalry, comparisons have followed them relentlessly — from hemlines and colour palettes to posture, polish and public approval.
“This wasn’t just Vogue picking a dress sense,” the stylist added. “It was Vogue picking a symbol.”
Behind palace gates, there’s reportedly quiet satisfaction. Catherine’s recognition comes after years of dedication to her role, careful public appearances, and a steady return to duties following recent health challenges.
For Meghan, however, the timing could not be worse. With several high-profile projects under scrutiny and public sentiment increasingly divided, the Vogue decision risks reinforcing a narrative she has long tried to escape — that of the outsider looking in.
“Meghan wanted to be the global style reference,” the insider said bluntly. “Instead, the crown went back to the future Queen.”
As the world’s fashion pages celebrate Princess Catherine’s rise to undisputed style supremacy, one thing is clear: in the court of public opinion, subtlety has beaten spectacle.
And in 2025, Vogue has made its choice.
