MEGHAN MARKLE’S BURGUNDY RETURN TO BRITAIN SPEAKS VOLUMES — THE 2018 ROYAL MOMENT SHE MAY BE REVISITING, AND THE SUBTLE CATHERINE CONNECTION

Meghan Markle’s return to Britain has brought an unexpected fashion flashback, with the Duchess of Sussex stepping out in Nottingham in a burgundy ensemble strikingly similar to one she wore during a memorable royal engagement nearly eight years ago.

Accompanying Prince Harry on their first major joint public engagements since returning to the UK, Meghan, 45, looked elegant in a £1,495 wool and cashmere-blend coat by British luxury label Joseph. The oversized burgundy design was paired with a matching high-neck jumper, midi skirt, pointed heels and a sleek ponytail.

But beyond the polished appearance, the look carried a possible connection to one of the causes that helped define her early years as a working royal.

A BURGUNDY LOOK THAT TAKES HER BACK TO 2018

In November 2018, Meghan visited the Hubb Community Kitchen in North Kensington, where she met women affected by the Grenfell Tower tragedy and celebrated the success of Together: Our Community Cookbook.

The Duchess had supported the project earlier that year, helping the women raise funds to expand their kitchen and continue preparing meals for people in need. For that visit, she wore a burgundy coat with a coordinating velvet dress by Club Monaco, finishing the outfit with black tights and ankle boots.

Nearly eight years later, her Nottingham appearance offered a striking visual echo of that earlier engagement. Although the Joseph coat has a more oversized silhouette, the deep wine-coloured palette and coordinated styling recalled her 2018 look.

The comparison is particularly meaningful because the cookbook was more than a one-off charitable appearance. Meghan had helped bring attention to a community project that continued to matter to the women involved long after her departure from royal duties.

THE CONNECTION THAT SURVIVED HER ROYAL EXIT

Meghan’s relationship with the Hubb Community Kitchen did not end when she and Harry stepped back from royal duties in 2020 and relocated to California.

During the coronavirus pandemic, she joined members of the group on a video call as they prepared to help feed vulnerable families across London. In June 2020, she also marked the third anniversary of the Grenfell Tower fire with a tribute to the community’s resilience.

The Duchess reportedly remained in contact with the women, including speaking to them by phone in October 2021 to celebrate their achievements.

Her reunion with some of the women during the couple’s latest visit to Nottingham therefore brought her British return into sharper focus. The familiar colour palette offered a reminder of an earlier chapter in her public life, while the engagement itself renewed attention on a cause she had continued to support from overseas.

THE CATHERINE CONNECTION BEHIND MEGHAN’S CHOICE

There was another possible point of interest in Meghan’s outfit: her choice of designer.

Princess Catherine has also worn pieces by British luxury label Joseph, including tailored trousers. The Princess of Wales, 44, is equally associated with burgundy, a colour she has incorporated into coats, handbags and coordinated formal outfits.

One of her most memorable examples came in December 2024, when she welcomed the Emir of Qatar and his wife during their state visit to Britain. Catherine wore a head-to-toe burgundy ensemble featuring an Alexander McQueen coat, matching accessories and a Chanel handbag.

The colour was widely interpreted as a nod to the Qatari flag, illustrating how carefully chosen clothing can carry diplomatic significance during royal engagements.

Meghan’s decision to wear Joseph in a similarly rich shade creates an interesting fashion parallel between the sisters-in-law. However, there is no confirmation that her choice was intended as a deliberate tribute to Catherine.

A RETURN WITH MORE THAN ONE STORY TO TELL

As Meghan and Harry greeted crowds in Nottingham, the couple held hands, posed for selfies and stopped to speak with members of the public. Harry affectionately placed his arm around his wife as onlookers raised their phones to capture their arrival.

Against that backdrop, Meghan’s outfit connected two different moments in her relationship with Britain: her early work as a member of the Royal Family and her latest return alongside Harry.

Whether the burgundy ensemble was a conscious fashion callback or simply a style choice, its resemblance to her 2018 appearance offered a reminder of the charitable work that helped shape her early royal identity.

And with the possible Catherine connection adding another layer of interest, Meghan’s Nottingham look has given royal fashion watchers plenty to examine beyond the coat itself.