
- There are a lot of similarities between Meghan Markle and Princess Diana (opens in new tab), according to Paul Burrell, Diana's former butler. (opens in new tab)
- Burrell has said that he suspects Prince Harry was attracted to Meghan at least in part because of some of the traits she shares with his late mother.
- Those similarities might have put a strain on Meghan's relationship with her mother-in-law if they'd had the chance to meet, however. Burrell says he thinks the women, who are both known for their strength and independence, could have "clashed" at times.
If you see a lot of Princess Diana in Meghan Markle (opens in new tab), you're definitely not alone. According to Diana's former butler, Paul Burrell (opens in new tab), Meghan has a lot in common with the People's Princess—and he thinks that's probably what attracted Prince Harry (opens in new tab) to her to begin with.
"Harry went for and married Meghan because she's like Diana," Burrell reportedly said (opens in new tab) during an interview with Closer magazine. "Both women who would always stand up for what they believe in and wouldn't be pushovers."
Even though Burrell thinks Meghan and Diana are similar (opens in new tab)women, he also said those similarities could have been the cause of some issues between them, if they'd gotten the chance to meet.
"I think, possibly, they would have clashed," he said. "I imagine it would have been two strong, independent women with different views on things—it would have been a battle between Meghan's way and Diana's way."
Burrell, who worked for Diana for 10 years (opens in new tab) before her tragic death in 1997 (opens in new tab), doesn't think Meghan is a carbon copy of Diana, of course. He said he thinks Meghan was probably more media savvy going into her royal marriage than Diana was. Diana, he said, had to learn to find her voice in the media.
"I think the main difference between them is that Meghan has a game plan, whereas Diana was young and naïve," he added. "Diana did the book with Andrew Morton and courted the press over the years because she didn't have a voice. And her strong-mindedness meant she cared and she felt the people of the country had a right to know what had gone on behind closed doors."
Meghan and Harry's journey from senior royal couple to low-key LA family will be outlined in upcoming book Finding Freedom, (opens in new tab)a biography written by two of the reporters closest to the couple—Omid Scobie and Emmy-winning reporter Carolyn Durand—and based on interviews with the Sussexes' friends and associates. The book is said to portray the "real Harry and Meghan," and comes out August 11.
Meghan Markle's Most Iconic Fashion Moments
March 9, 2020
Meghan and Prince Harry attend the Commonwealth Day Service at Westminster Abbey with all of the royal family. Meghan is wearing a custom Emilia Wickstead dress and carrying a Gabriela Hearst Demi bag (opens in new tab); she's also wearing Birks earrings and Aquazzura heels (opens in new tab).
March 8, 2020
The Duchess of Sussex visits the Robert Clack School for International Women's Day. Meghan is wearing a ME+EM jacket (opens in new tab), a Cuyana T-shirt (opens in new tab), a Rejina Pyo bag (opens in new tab), and Jennifer Chamandi pumps (opens in new tab).
March 7, 2020
Meghan arrives with Prince Harry at the Mountbatten Music Festival. She is wearing a Safiyaa dress, Simone Rocha earrings (opens in new tab), and a Manolo Blahnik clutch (opens in new tab).
March 5, 2020
Prince Harry and Meghan arrive to the Endeavour Fund Awards. The Duchess of Sussex is wearing a blue tonal look in a Victoria Beckham pencil dress (opens in new tab), Manolo Blahnik pumps (opens in new tab), a Jessica McCormack bracelet (opens in new tab), and a Stella McCartney clutch.
January 7, 2020
Meghan Markle and Prince Harry arrive at Canada House in London for their first 2020 appearance. She is seen wearing a Reiss Coat, Massimo Dutti turtleneck and skirt (opens in new tab), and Jimmy Choo Romy pumps (opens in new tab).
November 9, 2019
Meghan steps out in a bespoke Erdem dress, her favorite Aquazzura heels (opens in new tab), and Jessica McCormack earrings (opens in new tab), for the Royal British Legion Festival of Remembrance at the Royal Albert Hall.
November 7, 2019
The Duchess of Sussex attends the 91st Field of Remembrance at Westminster Abbey. She wore a Sentaler coat (opens in new tab), a Phillip Treacy hat, Tamara Mellon boots (opens in new tab), and Dents gloves (opens in new tab).
October 25, 2019
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex attend a panel discussion on gender equality with The Queen's Commonwealth Trust. Meghan is wearing a monochromatic look in a Joseph sweater, a Hugo Boss leather skirt, Sarah Flint pumps (opens in new tab), and Emily Mortimer stud earrings (opens in new tab).
October 22, 2019
Meghan Markle arrives to the One Young World Summit in an Aritzia dress paired with Manolo Blahnik pumps (opens in new tab).
October 15, 2019
Meghan Markle recycles her engagement dress to WellChild Awards, a charity for seriously ill children and their families. She pairs her P.A.R.O.S.H. dress with a Sentaler coat (opens in new tab) and Montunas bag (opens in new tab).
October 2, 2019
For a South African engagement to visit the Youth Employment Services in South Africa, the Duchess of Sussex steps out in Hannah Lavery shirt dress, Madewell earrings (opens in new tab), and Stuart Weitzman pumps (opens in new tab).
September 30, 2019
Meghan Markle steps out during a visit to Monwabisi Beach with Prince Harry. She paired her Madewell denim jacket (opens in new tab) with Brother Vellies Huarache sandals (opens in new tab).
September 25, 2019
During the royal tour in South African, Meghan wore an Everlane black jumpsuit (opens in new tab)and Gas Bijoux gold statement earrings (opens in new tab).
September 25, 2019
Meghan and Archie step out for Archie's first royal engagement during the tour in South Africa. She wore a Club Monaco dress and a pair of Jennifer Meyer turquoise earrings (opens in new tab).
September 24, 2019
Meghan chose a Staud dress (opens in new tab), Cuyana scarf (opens in new tab) and Sam Edelman flats (opens in new tab) for the visit at Auwal Mosque on Heritage Day with Prince Harry.
September 23, 2019
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex visit District 6 Museum in Cape Town, South Africa. Meghan wore a Veronica Beard blue button-down dress and Castañer espadrilles (opens in new tab).
September 12, 2019
The Duchess Of Sussex attends the launch of the Smart Works Capsule Collection, while wearing a Misha Nonoo button-down (opens in new tab) and wearing butterfly earrings and a cuff that once belonged to Princess Diana.
July 14, 2019
The Duke and Duchess walk the red carpet for the Lion King premiere in London. Meghan wears a Jason Wu dress and Nikos Koulis earrings (opens in new tab) with a Gucci clutch (opens in new tab).
July 13, 2019
The Duchess of Sussex enjoys Wimbledon in her Le Specs sunglasses (opens in new tab) and Jennifer Meyer earrings (opens in new tab).
July 4, 2019
Meghan Markle attends Wimbledon to watch her friend Serena Williams. She wore her L'Agence blazer (opens in new tab) and Finlay sunglasses (opens in new tab), and a delicate necklace (opens in new tab) with an A for Archie.
June 8, 2019
Meghan Markle steps out for her first royal appearance since giving birth. She attends the 2019 Trooping the Colour with Prince Harry in a Givenchy dress and hat by Noelle Stewart.
May 8, 2019
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex present their baby, Archie, to the world. She wears a Wales Bonner trench coat dress, Manolo Blahnik pumps (opens in new tab), and Jennifer Meyer necklace (opens in new tab).
March 19, 2019
Prince Harry and Meghan arrive at New Zealand House in London to pay tribute to the victims of the New Zealand terrorist attacks. Meghan wears a vintage black cape, Gucci clutch (opens in new tab)and Aquazzura black cut-out pumps. (opens in new tab)
March 11, 2019
Meghan wore a Victoria Beckham dress (opens in new tab), coat, clutch (opens in new tab), and shoes to the Commonwealth Day Service at Westminster Abbey.
March 11, 2019
The Duke and Duchess Of Sussex attend a Commonwealth Day youth event at Canada House. The Duchess wore a Erdem set, Givenchy clutch, Aquazzura heels (opens in new tab), and Birks earrings (opens in new tab).
March 8, 2019
Meghan wore a Reiss printed dress, an Alexander McQueen blazer, a Stella McCartney clutch (opens in new tab) and Manolo Blahnik pumps (opens in new tab) to the International Women's Day panel discussion.
February 24, 2019
The Duchess Of Sussex wore Dior head to toe and Birks earrings (opens in new tab) while visiting Morocco.
February 24, 2019
The Duke and Duchess arrive to the "Education For All" boarding house in Atlas Mountains in Morocco. Meghan wore an Alice and Olivia blazer and Birdies slippers (opens in new tab).<