The Duchess of Sussex, Meghan Markle, has ignited a wave of discussion due to her choice of wearing a $1,350 dress during a recent trip to Nigeria.
The dress, a beige silk maxi designed by Heidi Merrick and dubbed “Windsor,” sold out rapidly following Meghan’s appearance. The name “Windsor,” which is also the name adopted by the British royal family in 1917, has led to speculation about its implications. Some see it as an innocent reference to her former royal status, while others perceive it as a potentially contentious statement amid ongoing friction with the Windsor family.
The controversy unfolded during the couple’s three-day visit to Nigeria that started on May 10, at the invitation of Nigeria’s Chief of Defence Staff. The trip featured several school visits and mental health awareness events, a cause close to the hearts of both Prince Harry and Meghan.
Markle, aged 42, wore the “Windsor” dress during her visit to Lightway Academy in Abuja, leading to a storm of comments on the social media platform X.
One user offered a firm viewpoint, stating, “I’m convinced she is doing this on purpose at this point. Infamy is her goal – not approval,” drawing comparisons with Wallis Simpson, the late Duchess of Windsor with her own history of royal controversies. Another user concurred with this perspective, commenting, “You can’t tell me Meghan isn’t being deliberate in her choice of clothes. First, she wears a dress called ‘Ginger.’ Now it’s a dress called ‘Windsor.’”
Not all responses echoed these sentiments. An opposing viewpoint on X suggested, “Honestly, I think people read too much into this stuff. She wears a dress and suddenly it’s a secret message? Maybe she just liked the dress.” People magazine also chimed in, suggesting that the dress could be a discrete homage to Markle’s past royal life.
This fashion-centered debate is a recent addition to the continuous narrative surrounding Meghan Markle and her multifaceted relationship with the British royal family. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s decision to step down from their senior royal roles in 2020 in search of financial independence and privacy has elicited varied public responses. Some applaud their departure from tradition, while others perceive it as an affront to the Queen and the monarchy.
Media interactions have remained guarded, often tinged with strain. This was highlighted during their Nigeria trip, where the couple granted exclusive access to a veteran reporter from People magazine. Some critics argue this move contradicts their stated commitment to “diverse and open access” to their initiatives.
The timing of their visit coincided with the 10th anniversary of the Invictus Games, a sporting event for wounded veterans initiated by Prince Harry. While Harry attended the anniversary events in London, Meghan’s continued presence in Nigeria added to the speculation.
Whether Meghan’s choice of the “Windsor” dress was intentional or merely a coincidence remains a topic of conjecture. However, it has revived public and media interest in the ongoing dynamics between Meghan Markle, the Duchess of Sussex, and the British Royal Family.
