Meghan Markle's Most Buzzworthy Revenge Dress Moments
Meghan Markle, Duchess of Sussex, may not have ever met her mother-in-law, but the two definitely have some things in common. Of course, they both married a prince. And, in their own ways, they both made a very public split from the royal family. They also both have incredible style. Princess Diana's iconic revenge dress went down in history as her most important fashion moment. While they aren't quite as well-known as that, Meghan has had some show-stopping revenge dress moments herself.
While divorce gossip about Meghan and Prince Harry has reached a fever pitch on many occasions over the years, the couple is still going strong. So, Meghan hasn't had to sport the perfect outfit to make her ex-husband regret losing her like Diana famously did. Yet, there have been quite a few reasons for Meghan to rock a revenge dress. Meghan gets nearly constant criticism from folks online and the press. While they may not be quite as open about it as people in the comment sections, we all know that the royal family isn't exactly made up of Meghan fans.
Through it all, though, Meghan doesn't back down. She continues to be visible online and attend events. And, when it counts, she makes sure her haters see her rocking some really, really good outfits. You know what they say: revenge is a dish best served while serving looks. Okay — maybe they don't say that, but these dresses Meghan has worn through the years prove that they should start.
She stole the show in head-to-toe red
One of the last events Meghan Markle, Duchess of Sussex, attended as a working royal was the Mountbatten Festival of Music at the Royal Albert Hall in 2020. The duchess was getting tons of negative press at the time, having already announced her upcoming departure from working royal life, but she entered the festival looking anything but beaten down by the hate or regretful of her decision. This had a lot to do with the fact that she dressed head-to-toe in the ultimate power color. The red Safiyaa gown with matching pumps and clutch made a serious statement to the world she was happily leaving behind.
She sported an off-the-shoulder dress while the world gossiped about her
The "Harry and Meghan" documentary became a record breaker for Netflix. Even before its premiere, though, the bombshell docu-series from Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, Duke and Duchess of Sussex, was already getting quite a bit of attention. In 2023, the couple attended the Ripple of Hope award gala, where they were given the Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights Award. Everyone was buzzing about their docu-series' trailer, but Meghan proved the controversy didn't worry her, accepting an award in a white bespoke Louis Vuitton dress with an off-the-shoulder neckline just like Princess Diana's famous revenge dress.
She took quite the plunge with this plunging red dress
What better way to rub your success in your haters' faces than by supporting a good cause in a good dress? Perhaps this was what Meghan Markle, Duchess of Sussex, was thinking when she attended a gala for Children's Hospital Los Angeles in a show-stopping red Carolina Herrera dress in 2024. At the time, Meghan was getting plenty of hate online as rumors swirled that she wasn't exactly fun to work with for former employees. Yet, this dress probably had her critics seeing red.
She looked elegant while honoring someone who stuck by her through it all
Tyler Perry had a surprisingly deep post-Megxit bond with Prince Harry and Meghan Markle; he actually let them live with him when they first headed to California. So, it was only fitting that she wore a stunning revenge dress to the Paley Honors Tribute to Tyler Perry in 2024. The beautifully draped Oscar de la Renta number was the perfect way to honor the person who stuck with her when so many were turning their backs on her.
When people were hating on Harry, Meghan pulled out a fashionable throwback to their wedding day
Plenty of people were less than thrilled that Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, was taking home the Pat Tillman Award for Service at the ESPYs in 2024. Yet, that didn't stop Meghan Markle, Duchess of Sussex, from cheering her man on in style. She sported a figure-hugging Oscar de la Renta dress for the special occasion. Not only was it a pretty, understated pick, but the shade of white paired with the high neckline was a definite throwback to her wedding dress.
This dress didn't let folks asking her to blend in win
Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, is clearly passionate about his work with The Invictus Games. Yet, critics have long suggested that the never-ending drama that follows Harry and Meghan Markle, Duchess of Sussex, steals the spotlight from the veterans at the heart of the cause. Harry kicked off 2023 with startling revelations in his memoir "Spare," making the year anything but drama-free. Even so, Meghan didn't let the haters force her into hiding. She entered the 2023 Invictus Games Closing Ceremony looking stunning in a green Cult Gaia dress that let her stand out.
She shined while accepting an award
2020 was the year that Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, Duke and Duchess of Sussex, stepped down as working royals and left the U.K. Consequently, 2020 was the year that Meghan made the most people mad. Yet, it was also the year she was honored at the Ms. Foundation Women of Vision Awards. If getting a special honor for advocating for women's rights from the expert herself, Gloria Steinem, wasn't impressive enough, she also looked good as gold while accepting her award. The strapless Johanna Ortiz dress was the perfect look for a brag-worthy moment.
Her blue dress was the cherry on top of this famous photo
After Megxit was announced in 2020, Meghan Markle, Duchess of Sussex, made an appearance at the Endeavour Fund Awards in London wearing a bold blue, knee-length dress. Right after news that Meghan and Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, would be stepping down as working royals, they were getting more hate than ever. Yet, this famous photo of the pair under an umbrella was snapped at one of their last formal events in their roles. Donning a simple yet eye-catching dress in such a happy, confident hue certainly sent a message to the world.
She stunned in this one-shoulder gown
Looking back at Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, Duke and Duchess of Sussex, their wedding shows how much their lives have transformed since 2018. One thing that hasn't changed? The haters. To say that Meghan was getting hate surrounding her wedding day is an understatement. Yet, later that year, she took the stage at the 2018 Fashion Awards in a high-drama black Givenchy gown. She presented the Womenswear Designer of the Year honor to Clare Waight Keller, who designed her wedding dress. And she did so looking stunning while pregnant in an ensemble that looked like anything but maternity wear.
She looked effortlessly elegant in beige
In 2023, Meghan Markle, Duchess of Sussex, looked like a truly powerful woman while walking solo on the red carpet at Variety's Power of Women event. Her look was minimalist and effortless in a simple slicked-back bun and a slinky beige Proenza Schouler gown that hugged her body and fell off one shoulder. The color of Carrie Bradshaw's famous "naked dress" in an elegant, understated silhouette at an event aimed at powerful women? A truly winning revenge dress combination.