Meghan Markle’s style muse revealed by celebrity stylist - and it's not Princess Diana

The Hollywood actor inspiring Meghan Markle’s royal wardrobe

(AFP/Getty Images)

Meghan Markle was a bona fide fashionista long before she met Prince Harry, but since marrying into the Royal Family in May, the former Suits star has been thrust into the sartorial spotlight with supreme force.

Now, the Duchess of Sussex has become a global style icon, renowned for her contemporary and elegant aesthetic, which is characterised by an orbit of slim-fitting pencil skirts, stiff collegiate shirts and modish millinery.

Such is her reverence within the fashion industry, that many have taken to speculating as to whom Markle is drawing on for inspiration, with notable guesses including her former Suits character, Rachel Zane, and the late Princess Diana.

However, according to fashion stylist Alex Longmore, there’s only one person whose style the 37-year-old is really comparable to: Angelina Jolie.

“Her wardrobe choices are very similar to Jolie’s, sometimes identical,” Longmore tells The Independent, referring to the Hollywood actor as the royal’s “style muse” on her website.

“The cut, the style and even the colour scheme are so Angelina,” she continues, identifying both women’s preference for nude high heels, tailored coats and “killer black” ensembles for public events.

Angelina Jolie pictured wearing a tuxedo suit at the BAFTAs in 2014 (Getty)

Even Markle’s beauty choices resemble Jolie’s, Longmore continues, with both often sporting natural make up and free-flowing up-dos to offset their most glamorous outfits.

She adds that Jolie’s style is one of the most sought-after in her experience as a stylist, with clients often naming her as their sartorial icon.

The fact that Angelina is a respected humanitarian, like Markle, might also have something to do with the new royal wanting to emulate her fashion choices, Longmore suggests.

Markle was pictured wearing a very similar trouser suit in Dublin in July. (Getty)

“I think it’s what Angelina represents as a woman that Meghan is wanting to emulate.

“She is taken seriously as an actress, is a humanitarian and is exceedingly well respected,” she continues.

Longmore adds how Markle’s style couldn’t possibly be inspired by her former Suits character due to sheer economics.

Markle opted for a white coat by Line the Label in her official engagement photos (Getty)

“Her character was a paralegal secretary just out of law school who categorically could not afford the designers Meghan wears, such Roland Mouret and Givenchy,” Longmore explains.

Jolie arrives at the Irish Premiere of 'Alexander' at the Savoy Cinema in 2005 in Dublin wearing a white coat that is similar to the one worn by Markle (Getty)

With pieces costing thousands of pounds, she adds that these brands hardly conform to the budget of a paralegal summer intern.

One similarity between the two, she adds, is the conservative aesthetic that undercuts both of their dress senses.

“I think this is down to the fact that they are both working women who have to look a certain way for the job,” Longmore explains.

Other parallels between the two are the distinct lack of patterns in their outfits and a penchant for streamlined tailoring.

However, as for replications of exact outfits, she adds that this is somewhat lacking: “It may coincide that they both wear a pencil skirt but really that is about it.”

Since moving to the UK and marrying Prince Harry, Longmore explains that Markle favours showing off her shoulders and waist and and has done so for practically every royal engagement so far.

“Yes, her style has become more conservative like Rachel’s, but it is infinitely more polished and glamorous,” she says.

“Rachel Zane could only dream to emulate the new Duchess of Sussex style.”