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Meghan Markle channels Princess Diana in first appearance since doco drama

Princess Diana was a style icon for millions of women all around the world, and it seems like Meghan Markle has been looking up the old archives for outfit inspiration.

The 37-year-old Duchess of Sussex stunned as she appeared at the One Young World Summit Opening Ceremony at London’s Royal Albert Hall last night, in her first appearance since the controversial ITV documentary on the couple aired.

Meghan Markle in purple dress
Meghan Markle appeared at the One Young World Summit Opening Ceremony at London’s Royal Albert Hall last night. Photo: Getty Images
Princess Diana in long purple dress
It was reminiscent of this look by Princess Diana in1996. Photo: Getty Images

The former actress wore her glossy locks in loose waves and made a bold statement in a purple $50 dress — one that fans may recall from her pregnancy.

Meghan previously wore long-sleeved, plum-hued number from Babaton by Aritizia when she and husband Prince Harry visited Birkenhead, England in January, when she was about six months pregnant with son Archie.

There’s no denying the dress is extremely similar to one Princess Diana wore in June 1996, when she attended a gala dinner at the Field Museum of Natural History in Chicago.

While Meghan’s dress may be sadly sold out, we’ve found a similar floaty purple number online for $48 on ASOS.

While Meghan's dress may be sold out, we found a similar purple number online. Photo: ASOS
While Meghan's dress may be sold out, we found a similar purple number on ASOS for $48. Photo: ASOS

Controversial documentary on Meghan and Harry

Meghan’s joyful appearance comes just hours after a on-hour documentary, called Harry & Meghan: An African Journey, aired on ITV, where the royals were very candid about the struggles they’ve faced since tying the knot last year.

UK Journalist Tom Bradby, who is a friend of Prince Harry, asked the Duchess what the last year has been like for her, with Meghan revealing she really had ‘no idea’ what was coming before marrying into the royal family.

Meghan Markle Duchess of Sussex in green dress
The Duchess of Sussex's appearance comes just hours after a controversial documentary aired on ITV about the Sussex's trip to Africa. Photo: Getty Images

“When I first met my now husband, my friends were really happy because I was so happy,” she said. “But my British friend said to me ‘I’m sure he’s great but you shouldn’t do it because the British tabloids will destroy your life’.”

She admitted she ‘naively’ thought that wouldn’t be the case and ‘didn’t get it’ at the time, before adding that it’s ‘been complicated’ since.

Meghan went on to add that she never thought it would be easy.

“But I thought it would be fair and that’s the part that’s really hard to reconcile,” she said.

Prince Harry on his ‘royal rift’ with Prince William

Meghan wasn’t the only one laying all her opinions out on the table during the documentary, as Prince Harry also spoke openly about the reported rift between him and his brother, Prince William.

Meghan, Duchess of Sussex looks on as Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex speaks during a visit a township to learn about Youth Employment Services on October 02, 2019 in Johannesburg, South Africa..  (Photo by Chris Jackson/Getty Images)
Prince Harry spoke out about the struggles the couple have faced since marrying in May last year. Photo: Getty Images

“Part of this role, part of this job and this family being under the pressure that it is under, inevitably stuff happens,” he responded.

“But we are brothers, we will always be brothers. We are certainly on different paths at the moment but I will always be there for him as I know he will be for me.

He went on to say that though they don’t see each other very often he “loves him dearly.”

While he didn’t directly discuss a potential fall-out, the duke went on to say that the “majority of this stuff is created out of nothing.”

He added: “As brothers you have good days and bad days.”

With extra reporting by Erin Donnelly

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