Is it fan-girl obsession? Or just a flattering homage to one woman’s upmarket, aspirational style choices for her children from across the pond?
Over the weekend, we were introduced to the ‘Easter edit’ on the Duchess of Sussex’s newly launched ShopMe page on Instagram.
Until now, Meghan has showcased the womenswear and cosmetics she keeps in her own home – earning, in the process, a commission every time someone uses her link to buy. Influencers are usually paid ten per cent (although it’s possible the duchess has negotiated a better rate).
But Meghan’s Easter edit is different. This featured the sort of sugary sweet, retro, twee, have-to-be-ironed, old-fashioned but expensive clothes for children which will doubtless have most toddlers throwing themselves to the floor, screaming, red in the face with temper – with most mums losing the will to live.
The childrenswear Meghan promoted is, of course, well-made, organic, colourful and necessarily expensive. You wouldn’t want to smear raspberry conserve down the front of any of these babies.
The pieces on offer were for special occasions. They were cheerful, aspirational.
Princess Charlotte has often worn Trotters dresses, including this floral design with a collar
The same blue dress is advertised on the Duchess of Sussex’s Shop Me Instagram page
Yet eyebrows have been raised because the exact same outfits have been worn very publicly by William and Kate’s children. Which leads many to ask: does Meghan not have an original bone in her body?
On her ShopMe Instagram page, for example, were the blue gingham pyjamas by Petite Plume worn by a then two-year-old George to meet the Obamas at Kensington Palace in 2016.
Petite Plume, by the way, is an American brand with the tag line: ‘Life isn’t a matter of milestones, but of moments’ – just the sort of rubbish Meghan spouts. Their PJs certainly are pretty good but require a lot of ironing.
And do kids these days really want to wear something that isn’t wriggle friendly in bed?
So, did Meghan make this choice because of that widely seen photo, I wonder, or because Petite Plume makes the best PJs on the planet? My guess is the former.
Also featuring heavily on Meghan’s page were the British brands Boden and Trotters. (I say ‘were’ because by Tuesday morning, all the clothes had vanished, either deleted or temporarily sold out.)
Trotters is a family-owned label founded on the King’s Road in 1990, just around the corner from Kensington Palace. Diana often shoehorned her boys into its wares.
Prince George, then aged two, meets the Obamas wearing blue gingham pyjamas in 2016
The pyjama set by Petite Plume, an American brand, also appears on Meghan’s new page
Meanwhile, Princess Charlotte has often worn floral smocks by Trotters.
Boden, too, is a brand beloved by the current Princess of Wales – and seemingly by Meghan, who chose to promote a Boden baby dress with a blue, pink and yellow shell motif.
Boden even produced a ‘Very British Baby’ collection in 2018 to mark the birth of Prince Louis, that’s how closely intertwined the brand is with the Waleses.
You could put Meghan’s choices down to nothing more troubling than nostalgia.
I am certain – lovely though the gardens of Montecito seem to be on her Love, Meghan Netflix series – that the Duchess still has warm memories of Windsor and the Cotswolds in springtime.
But it certainly is an odd volte face.
Meghan had previously told People magazine that her children would not be dressed in outdated clothing such as ‘knee socks and smocking’ or be carted around in vintage prams.
She was pointedly referring to her nephews and niece, of course – the children of the Prince and Princess of Wales.
Could Meghan not, instead, be a tad more modern and edgy, and showcase what her own children actually wear?
Problem is, Lilli and Archie have only been glimpsed so far wearing uninspiring T-shirts, jeans, leggings.
Which is practical and, let’s face it, what most kids prefer. But that sort of high street fare will hardly garner the attention that Meg craves – or the big bucks from online sales.
Over the weekend we were introduced to the Duchess of Sussex’s ‘Easter edit’, which comes after the release of her Netflix series With Love, Meghan and launch of her brand As Ever
No, this isn’t about what Meghan loves and has in the closet. It’s yet another way to milk any remaining thread of connection she has with the Royal Family, to smear herself not with compote but with class.
I expect Harry hates all the twee stuff, having once longed to grow out of the sort of smock-bodiced gear that has been the royal go-to for generations – to kick off his proper leather Trotters shoes and pull on trainers.
Yet there are so many other brands making childrenswear that Meghan could curate, instead of merely copy. Zara, Mori, Monsoon, Lallie London, Baboushkini, Organic Zoo.
Her online shop is a new low for Team Sussex, rendering her just one of millions of stay-at-home influencer mums who prefer to avoid doing any real work.
