The royal rebel who broke important tradition and inspired Meghan Markle

The late Queen Mother paved the way for generations of women who came after her including her daughter, the late Queen Elizabeth II, and set a precedent for royal fashion. Her style was known for being elegant, polished, and always thoughtful, with a strong emphasis on femininity.

While she was celebrated for her signature bright colours, statement hats, and pillbox handbags, she also had a long-standing love affair with white - a colour now synonymous with Meghan Markle. Royal fashion account on X, @remisagoodboy, explained that the Queen Mother's white wardrobe became one of the "pinnacles of Royal Fashion."

In 1938, Queen Elizabeth (later the Queen Mother) made an unexpected and history-shaping fashion move.

It was a bold departure from tradition that redefined how mourning could be expressed through style.

Her decision not only resonated with the public but also helped shape the legacy of modern royal fashion, today.

Queen Elizabeth was originally set to visit Paris, France, with King George, and had commissioned a dazzling new wardrobe from designer Norman Hartnell, specifically for the royal engagement.

However, just days before their departure, her mother passed away. The palace was plunged into mourning, and the queen's vibrant new clothing was suddenly deemed inappropriate for the occasion.

Rather than cancel the important diplomatic visit, Hartnell proposed a radical solution. He suggested creating an entirely new mourning wardrobe - not in black, but in white.

Drawing on both royal tradition and French precedent, he designed 30 new ensembles in just a matter of weeks.

It was a bold move that seamlessly blended a message of grief with one of diplomacy. The result was a visual triumph during a politically sensitive visit to France and cemented Hartnell's place as royal dressmaker.

By defying tradition, the Queen Mother didn't just mourn in white - she redefined it. The Queen Mother would have turned 101 today, sharing the same birthday as Meghan Markle.

It's no secret, Meghan, 44 has subtly leaned on fashion cues from the Queen Mother, often favouring white as a wardrobe staple in a way that feels both intentional and respectful.

One clear example was at her first official royal engagement with Prince Harry in 2017, where she wore a crisp white wrap coat from Line the Label - a look that instantly made headlines and echoed royal elegance.

She also wore a sleek white Valentino £9,000 cape dress during her 2019 royal tour in Morocco, and more recently, a minimalist white Dior coat dress at Queen Elizabeth II's Platinum Jubilee Thanksgiving Service in 2022.

These moments show that Meghan's fashion choices are often more than aesthetic - they're a thoughtful nod to royal history, with the Queen Mother's legacy woven subtly into her modern style.