Comparison of Meghan Markle, Duchess of Sussex and Kate Middleton, Duchess of Cambridge
Margaret Minnicks is an online writer who writes about the royal family.
When Prince William and Kate Middleton married in 2011, Queen Elizabeth gave them the titles Duke and Duchess of Cambridge. Seven years later when Prince Harry and Meghan Markle got married in 2018, the Queen of England bestowed the titles Duke and Duchess of Sussex on the couple.
The two women have much more in common than just their titles. It is interesting that the two duchesses get along very well because of their similarities.
Major Similarities
The two women are actually similar with many things in common. Both of them love family, fashion, the outdoors and their charities.
They are seen in photos smiling and laughing together. This could mean that they have a sense of humor.
| Kate Middleton | Meghan Markle | |
|---|---|---|
Birth Name | Catherine Elizabeth Middleton | Rachel Meghan Markle |
Date of Birth | January 9, 1982 | August 4, 1981 |
Parents | Michael and Carole Middleton | Thomas Markle and Doria Ragland |
Net Worth Before Marriage | $5.3 million | $5 million |
Major Differences
Kate Middleton and Meghan Markle have some major differences. Business Insider points out Middleton and Prince William met when they were young in school and living in the same dormitory.
Prince Harry and Meghan did not grow up together. They met on a blind date when they were already in their 30s. That was just 16 months before they got married.
It was Kate's first marriage, but Meghan had been married before. Meghan was an actress while Kate did not make a living that way.
Weddings
There were reasons the weddings of the two women were different. Prince William and Kate's wedding was much larger and in a more spacious facility because it was a state wedding. Since Prince William is second to the throne of England, protocol dictated that dignitaries should be invited.
Prince Harry was sixth to the throne when he married Meghan Markle on May 19, 2018. Their wedding was in a much smaller place and no dignitaries were invited.
| Prince William and Kate Middleton | Prince Harry and Meghan Markle | |
|---|---|---|
Wedding Date | April 29, 2011 | May 19, 2018 |
Place of Wedding | Westminster Abbey | St. George's Chapel at Windsor Castle |
Number of Guests | 1,900 | 800 in smaller church; 1,200 on grounds |
Length of Engagement | Engaged on October 20, 2010. Announcement was on November 16, 2010. | From November 2017 to May 2018 |
Length of Dating Period | Met in 2001, Started dating in 2003; Broke up in 2007; Off and on for many years | About 16 months |
Age When Married | Both Prince William and Kate Middleton were 28 | Prince Harry: 33; Meghan Markle 36 |
Cost of Wedding | $23.7 million paid for by Royal Family and Middletons | $32 million paid for by the Royal Family |
Title Queen Elizabeth gave | Duke and Duchess of Cambridge | Duke and Duchess of Sussex |
Children | 3; two sons, one daughter | One son |
Fashion and Style
Both women have their own personal fashion styles. They look flawless in almost every outfit they wear. This helps the economy because as soon as they wear an outfit, it is sold out moments later.
Kate's style has a more traditional British look. Meghan's usual style is more contemporary and trendy. Kate has been seen in the same outfits more than once. Meghan wears clothes from many new designers and doesn't recycle her clothes as often as her sister-in-law.
Business Insider reported that Middleton's fashions has been dubbed the "Duchess Effect." Meghan's fashion picks have been called the "Markle Sparkle."
Charities
Before Meghan got married, she was already involved in many of the same charities that Kate was involved in.
The Duchess of Cambridge's charities are those dealing with issues facing young children such as mental illness and addiction. The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and Prince Harry initiated "Heads Together" in April 2016 before he met his wife.
Meghan joined them after she became a royal. All four of them work together as they focus on mental health and anti-bullying campaigns.
Both Granddaughters-in-law Get Along Well With the Queen
PDA
Kate is a little different when it comes to the public display of affection when she is with her husband. On the other hand, you almost never see Meghan and Prince Harry together when they are not holding hands or touching each other in some way.
No Competition
All eyes are on the Duchesses when they are together. People watch them to see how they relate and what they are wearing.
Kate's an expert when it comes to royal outings, and she has taught Meghan a lot about royal protocol. Meghan did bring a lot of her own fashion sense to the table. Therefore, the two women are elegant wherever they go.
The two royal women are comfortable with themselves and with each other, and there is no competition. Therefore, a connection was bound to happen. Not only are they sisters-in-law, but they are also friends.
Fans Feud
While Kate and Meghan get along well, their fans don't. There is a social media feud between the two groups. They argue over who wore it better in addition to other things.
Kate's fans talk about her hair, clothes, and jewelry. What they love most about Kate over Meghan is that Kate is a mother of three young children. That is not fair because Meghan and Harry just got married last year. However, Meghan now has one son who was born in May 2019.
Meghan's fans talk about the way she and Harry display their love for each other in public. They always smile and are photographed holding hands and touching each other.
Not only do the fans of both women attack each other on social media, but they also attack anyone else who reports news about the women that they don't like even though the news isn't negative. They are just very protective of the woman they are fond of.
It is ironic that both Kate and Meghan have charities that focus on anti-bullying, yet their fans are doing just that. Of course, the royal women are not aware of the frenzy that goes on about them on social media.
