Kate Middleton Beat Meghan Markle Out as the Top Royal Influencer of the Year
Kate Middleton narrowly beat Meghan Markle out as the top royal style influencer in the UK, according to a new eBay report. The Duchess of Cambridge's maternity wear while pregnant with Prince Louis is thought to have pushed her to the top spot.
![Celebrities Attend Wimbledon](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/5SRi3X6ZmcYKfvRcGjT8SQ-415-80.jpg)
People practically go rabid at the chance to dress like a royal. This is a known fact. But what's stronger, the Kate Middleton Effect or the Meghan Markle Effect?
RELATED STORY
According to eBay's annual UK Retail Report, the winner is Kate, but with Meghan coming in a close second.
The report attributes Kate's continued reign as the top royal style influencer to her third pregnancy, with Prince Louis. According to eBay, searches for tailored maternity coats more than tripled in November 2017, after Kate announced she was expecting. Of course, this data only pertains to eBay searches in the United Kingdom.
Searches for Jenny Packham clothes spiked in April when Kate stepped out in a red smock dress by the designer to introduce the world to baby Louis.
Meghan came in a close second, with her searches peaking (unsurprisingly) in May, when she married Prince Harry.
"While Meghan was clearly the focus of the fashion pages this year, Kate's distinctive style has long been a hit with shoppers on eBay since her wedding in 2011," Rob Hattrell, UK vice president of eBay, told the Evening Standard. "We always see an uptick in searches around landmark royal events and 2018 was a bumper year for small businesses on eBay, with both the birth of Prince Louis and Meghan and Harry's wedding driving purchases across the nation."
And which royal rounds out the top three fashion influencers (again, on eBay, in the UK specifically)? It's no surprise that Kate's stylish daughter, Princess Charlotte, took the third spot.
Stay In The Know
Marie Claire email subscribers get intel on fashion and beauty trends, hot-off-the-press celebrity news, and more. Sign up here.
Kayleigh Roberts is a freelance writer and editor with over 10 years of professional experience covering entertainment of all genres, from new movie and TV releases to nostalgia, and celebrity news. Her byline has appeared in Marie Claire, Cosmopolitan, ELLE, Harper’s Bazaar, The Atlantic, Allure, Entertainment Weekly, MTV, Bustle, Refinery29, Girls’ Life Magazine, Just Jared, and Tiger Beat, among other publications. She's a graduate of the Medill School of Journalism at Northwestern University.
-
Zendaya Delivers a Podium-Worthy Pre-Olympics Gown
She's shining brighter than the City of Lights.
By Halie LeSavage Published
-
'Love Island USA' Star Kenny Rodriguez Is Not "Playing Around" with His and JaNa Craig's Romance Outside of the Villa
The prince and princess of season 6 have remained the cutest couple since filming wrapped.
By Quinci LeGardye Published
-
So Many Celebrity Beauty Favorites Are in Nordstrom's Anniversary Sale
Shop Jennifer Lopez, Meghan Markle, and Kaia Gerber's beloved picks.
By Julia Marzovilla Published
-
Royals, Paul McCartney, Nicola Coughlan, Salma Hayek... Was Taylor Swift's London Eras Tour Her Most Star-Studded Yet?
Imagine all the people........
By Iris Goldsztajn Published
-
Kate Middleton Confirms She Will Attend Trooping the Colour in a Heartfelt Update on Her Cancer Treatment
"I am making good progress."
By Halie LeSavage Last updated
-
British Royal Lady Gabriella Windsor's Husband Has Died at 45
Lady Gabriella is King Charles' second cousin.
By Iris Goldsztajn Published
-
George, Charlotte and Louis Will Be Laden With Gifts as Prince William Returns From New York
He was handed so many souvenirs for the little ones.
By Iris Goldsztajn Published
-
Prince William Makes Sure to "Treat George and Charlotte as Equals," Body Language Expert Says
I should hope so!
By Iris Goldsztajn Published
-
Prince William Isn't "A Workaholic Like His Father," Royal Expert Claims
He's got more of a work-life balance.
By Iris Goldsztajn Published
-
Princess Kate's New "Signature" Gesture? The Stealthy "Bum Pat" to Prince William
Love this for her.
By Iris Goldsztajn Published
-
Prince Harry Says His "Spirit Is Renewed" as He Attends the Warrior Games for Wounded Service Members in San Diego
The Games inspired his Invictus concept.
By Iris Goldsztajn Published