Meghan Markle is signalling a shift in her image through her upcoming Netflix series, according to a style expert.
California-based personal stylist Cynthia Kennedy says Meghan is “not dressing like a Duchess anymore,” based on the wardrobe choices shown in the teaser for season two of With Love, Meghan.
The show, which debuted in March, follows Meghan as she demonstrates cooking and lifestyle tips, from baking focaccia and mixing cocktails to hosting a children’s garden-themed party.
During one episode, she memorably told guest Mindy Kaling that her last name is now “Sussex” and not “Markle.”
Meghan Markle ‘not dressing like a Duchess anymore’ in deliberate style shift
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NETFLIX
The first season received mixed feedback, with Tina Brown, former Vanity Fair editor, claiming Meghan “has never figured out a convincing persona”.
Season two will arrive on August 26 and will feature model Chrissy Teigen in one of the episodes.
In the first run, Meghan showcased a “quiet luxury” wardrobe built on neutral-toned staples from designers including Loro Piana, Max Mara, and Brunello Cucinelli.
Some individual cashmere and linen pieces cost more than £1,000. But Kennedy told The Mail that Meghan has taken a different approach for the new season.
Meghan Markle appearing in the trailer for season two
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NETFLIX
In the trailer, she appeared in a bold striped dress, a floral frock, and a chunky crimson sweater, far from the polished, neutral palette of season one.
Kennedy explained: “Her revamped style is sending everyone a message that I don’t have to dress like a duchess anymore — I get to dress like myself, and be more approachable, modern, authentic and real.
“Her choices feel deliberate and more like a conscious move toward comfort, vulnerability, relatability, and ease without losing that sense of polish that keeps her aspirational. It’s a careful balance, and I think she’s hitting it.”
The stylist, who runs Cynthia Kennedy Stylist, added that there has “definitely” been a “shift” in Meghan’s style.
Meghan Markle looked a lot more demure in season one
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NETFLIX
“In season one, Meghan relied on very polished, put-together looks that were almost ‘Duchess-lite’ – clean tailoring, muted neutrals, structured pieces, and an overall feeling of being carefully refined,” Kennedy said.
“In season two, her style feels softer, relaxed, effortless, and more lived-in. Her looks are still elegant, but now it’s mixed with approachable pieces like relaxed, cosy knits, breezy dresses, and more casual silhouettes. It feels less like a public figure on a stage and more like a woman at home letting you into her world.”
Kennedy believes the style change is aimed at making Meghan more relatable.
“Meghan has always been aware of the image she projects, and this more relaxed wardrobe seems intentional,” she said. “It signals that she’s not trying to perform ‘royalty’ anymore, but instead connect with people as a modern woman, wife, and mother.”
Kennedy believes the style change is aimed at making Meghan more relatable
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NETFLIX
“The softer looks strip away some of that formality and lean into relatability in a way that feels warm, grounded, and human – which helps her connect with viewers,” she added.
The comments come shortly after fans noticed an unusual detail in a video shared to Meghan’s Instagram account @aseverofficial last week. In the short clip, she was making tea beside a plate of shortbread cookies with jam and flower sprinkles, styled with sprigs of foliage.
Viewers who re-shared the story on social media spotted what appeared to be a small insect crawling near one of the biscuits. The bug moved across the plate for a few seconds before disappearing.
The clip is no longer viewable on the As Ever Instagram account, as stories expire after 24 hours.