Meghan Markle Faces 'Diana Cosplay' Backlash Over All-Black Outfit and Striking Pose

Meghan Markle's latest promotional photograph for her lifestyle brand As Ever has prompted comparisons with a portrait of Princess Diana. Some accounts on X described the resemblance as 'Diana cosplay', although there is no confirmation that Meghan or the campaign team intended to recreate Diana's image.

The photograph shows Meghan wearing a black turtleneck and dark trousers while leaning against a kitchen counter with her legs crossed. It accompanied promotional material for As Ever's 'Holiday Collection: Chapter One', placing the image within the brand's seasonal campaign.

As Ever Photo Draws Princess Diana Comparisons

The all-black outfit and Meghan's position against the counter prompted some users to share comparisons with a 1991 British Vogue portrait of Diana wearing a black turtleneck and trousers.

The comments focused on the clothing and aspects of the pose. Users placed the photographs side by side and argued that the combination recalled Diana's styling, rather than pointing only to one item of clothing.

Fashion coverage also discussed Meghan's outfit independently of that comparison. Harper's Bazaar described the look as a black turtleneck with high-waisted, slim-fitting jeans and gold jewellery. The kitchen setting connected the photograph to the food and hosting themes of the As Ever campaign.

The comparison also brings together photographs created for different purposes: Diana's image was a magazine portrait, while Meghan's promotes a lifestyle collection. That distinction does not prevent viewers from noticing similarities, but it matters when interpreting them. The current photograph's commercial setting is established; the suggestion that its styling was chosen to invoke Diana is an inference made by critics, not a confirmed account from the campaign team.

X Users Describe Resemblance as 'Diana Cosplay'

One account described the promotional image as 'More Diana Cosplay'. Another wrote: 'I recognized the all black clothes and pose but couldn't recall exactly where.'

The second commenter also referred to the sleeves and added, 'She never stops.' That wording framed the image as part of a recurring pattern, but it remained the user's interpretation rather than evidence of how the photograph was planned.

Other supplied reactions similarly treated the resemblance as deliberate. Some went beyond the fashion comparison to speculate about Meghan's motives and her relationship with the royal family.

No evidence accompanying those comments established such a connection. The photograph was published to promote As Ever's holiday collection; claims that it served another purpose remain speculation.

Northwestern Sweatshirt Previously Prompted Comparisons

Meghan's clothing has previously been compared with Diana's. In February 2025, she wore a purple Northwestern University sweatshirt in an Instagram post, prompting coverage that noted Diana had also been photographed in a sweatshirt bearing the university's name.

Meghan has her own connection to Northwestern, having attended the university. That context provides an explanation for wearing its clothing independent of any comparison with Diana.

Some fashion coverage interpreted the sweatshirt as a nod to her late mother-in-law. That was an interpretation of the styling, rather than a publicly confirmed explanation from Meghan.

The latest As Ever photograph has prompted another comparison, involving an all-black outfit and a pose. As with the sweatshirt, the resemblance noticed by viewers is separate from the question of whether it was intentional.