Princess Kate and Meghan Markle’s style choices have been widely praised by the fashion press and fans alike, though comparisons often spark debate online.
After Meghan joined the royal family in 2018, the duchess displayed her flair for statement dressing alongside Kate at high-profile royal events, whether it be important dinners, award shows or ceremonies.
Kate and Meghan have often relied on similar style themes or silhouettes in recent years, but one dramatic fashion statement has been on display a number of times—the cape.
Falling from the shoulders of evening gowns or day dresses, capes have proven to be a strong theme running through both royals’ wardrobes.
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Here, Newsweek looks at a collection of Kate and Meghan’s most dramatic caped fashion moments, from festivals to funerals and beyond.
Princess Kate: Norwegian Reception
During an official visit to Norway with Prince William in 2018 while pregnant with her third child, Prince Louis, Kate debuted a glamorous caped maternity evening gown designed by Sarah Burton for Alexander McQueen, the creative behind her 2011 wedding dress.
Appearing at a dinner hosted by King Harald V and Queen Sonja of Norway, Kate dazzled in the pink gown with layered chiffon and empire waist, the caped element flowing from the shoulders which were embellished with crystal scrollwork.
LISE AASERUD/NTB Scanpix/AFP via Getty Images/Chris Jackson – Pool/Getty Images
Meghan: Fiji Dinner
During her first major overseas royal tour, Meghan displayed her flair for diplomatic dressing in an elegant and simple caped evening gown by Safiyaa, made in a Fijian blue textile.
The dress featured princess seaming and capped sleeves with the cape falling from the shoulders into a small train.
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Meghan: Mountbatten Music Festival
Meghan debuted a new Safiyaa caped evening dress in March 2020 for one of her final engagements as a working royal, ahead of her move to the U.S. with Prince Harry.
The duchess wore a vivid red creation with a caped over-layer capping the shoulders and falling to the floor in a narrow band behind her.
Karwai Tang/WireImage
Princess Kate: Bond Premiere
One of the most striking outfits ever worn by Kate was at the 2021 worldwide premiere for the James Bond movie No Time To Die.
The princess sparkled in a gold sequin and crystal embellished caped evening gown by one of her favorite designers, Jenny Packham.
Mike Marsland/WireImage/Samir Hussein/WireImage
Meghan: Queen’s Funeral
Meghan made a striking appearance at the state funeral of Queen Elizabeth II at Westminster Abbey in September 2022.
She wore a black mourning dress with knee-length cape designed by Stella McCartney.
Karwai Tang/WireImage/ISABEL INFANTES/POOL/AFP via Getty Images
Princess Kate: South Korean Presidential Welcome
In November 2023, Princess Kate wowed crowds during the official welcome ceremony beginning the state visit of the president of South Korea, wearing a vivid red cape layered over a matching dress with bow detail designed by Catherine Walker & Co.
Chris Jackson/Getty Images/Karwai Tang/WireImage
James Crawford-Smith is Newsweek‘s royal reporter, based in London. You can find him on X (formerly Twitter) at @jrcrawfordsmith and read his stories on Newsweek‘s The Royals Facebook page.
Do you have a question about King Charles III and Queen Camilla, William and Kate, Meghan Markle and Prince Harry, or their family that you would like our experienced royal correspondents to answer? Email royals@newsweek.com. We’d love to hear from you.
