Kate and Meghan's fashions – fabulous and flops
Our experts identify the colour palettes to give Kate and Meghan a gorgeous glow – and those that leave them in the shade
Kate Middleton arrives at Commonwealth service in red ensemble
WHEN Buckingham Palace announced last week that Prince William and Prince Harry were setting up separate courts, commentators seized on the supposed coolness between their wives. The Royal sisters-in-law are clearly very different people from very different backgrounds, so you would expect their personal style choices to be equally different. Meghan is an American-born actress who was at home on the red carpet long before she met her prince. Kate is a middle-class Home Counties girl from a close, supportive family, and she is well aware that her destiny is to be Queen, with all the constraints that this entails.
However, there is another key difference between the Royal style icons: while Kate's complexion makes her a Summer princess, Meghan is a Winter queen. Colour analyst Melissa Nicholson has identified the shades that complement both women's skin tones and believes that they both look best in clothes with a blue tint rather than a yellow one. But while Kate leans towards a Summer palette, which means she looks best in cool soft tones, Meghan favours bolder Winter colours and is stunning in black.
"Kate looks lovely in French navy, airforce blue, aubergine, plum, burgundy, soft berry and grey," Melissa says, "Anything from silver to slate. "Spring colours are too bright and playful for her, Winter colours too overpowering and Autumn ones are too heavy and boring. The Summer colours accentuate her natural beauty ? she looks sophisticated and elegant in cool, soft tones. However, Meghan looks stunning in more intense bold colours and is one of a handful of women who look great in black. I think that's why we see her in so many neutrals.
"The Summer colours that suit Kate so well tend to wash Meghan out." Melissa suggests that most women could instantly improve their appearance if they were to choose clothes from the right palette for their skin tone. "If you have blue tones in your skin, you are either Summer or Winter," she explains. "Both tend to suit silver jewellery and colours that have a cooler blue tint rather than a yellow one. "Winter can wear more intense bold colours in high contrast ? black and white, dark navy, fuchsia, scarlet.
Summer looks better in a softer blend of colours - grey, plum, powder pink, French navy, berry tones dusted with icing sugar. "If you have warmer, yellow tones in your skin, you are likely to be either Spring or Autumn. "They tend to look better in gold jewellery and colours that have a yellow tint rather than a blue one.
"Autumn colours are earthier rustic tones ? browns, russets, olive greens. "Spring colours, on the other hand, are brighter, fresher and more playful ? yellows, corals and turquoise blues." I join with Melissa, from Kettlewell Colours, as we reveal Kate and Meghan's best style hits (and misses) with colour analyst ratings so you can see how it all works.
Claudia Joseph is the author of How To Dress Like A Princess
HIT
WHAT: Jenny Packham dress
WHERE: Northern Ireland, February 28, 2019
WHAT THE EXPERTS SAY: A gorgeous choice for Kate. French navy is ideal for those with Summer colouring
RATING: 10/10
MISS
WHAT: Catherine Walker coat dress
WHERE: Commonwealth Day Service, March 11, 2019
WHAT THE EXPERTS SAY: This red is too warm and bright for Kate's Summer skin tone. The effect is bright and brash.
RATING: 4/10
HIT
WHAT: Gucci silk crepe pussy bow blouse
WHERE: Henry Fawcett Children's Centre, March 12, 2019
WHAT THE EXPERTS SAY: Love this shade of deep amethyst on Kate - it's her real "wow" colour.
RATING: 9/10
MISS
WHAT: Sportmax coat
WHERE: Blackpool, March 6, 2019
WHAT THE EXPERTS SAY: As a brunette, you would imagine olive would work for Kate, but this shade looks too heavy against her skin tone
RATING: 5/10
HIT
WHAT: Bespoke dress from private supplier
WHERE: Buckingham Palace, March 5, 2019
WHAT THE EXPERTS SAY: Delicate mint green falls within the Summer palette and is a pretty, elegant choice for Kate
RATING: 8/10
MISS
WHAT: Alexander McQueen gown
WHERE: National Portrait Gallery, March 12, 2019
WHAT THE EXPERTS SAY: Summers like Kate should steer clear of black - it's too heavy, stark and overpowering
RATING: 3/10
MISS
WHAT: Antonio Berardi khaki halter neck dress
WHERE: Closing ceremony of the Invictus Games, Sydney, October 27, 2018
WHAT THE EXPERTS SAY: Because khaki is a warm Autumn colour, the impression is that this look is on the "muddy" side. The greens that best suit her are pine green and emerald
RATING: 4/10
MISS
WHAT: Amanda Wakeley crombie coat and bespoke floral brocade dress
WHERE: 50th Anniversary of the Investiture of the Prince of Wales, March 5, 2019
WHAT THE EXPERTS SAY: Warm cream, in the Spring and Autumn palette, makes her look sallow
RATING: 3/10
HIT
WHAT: William Vintage black coat
WHERE: New York, February 19, 2019
WHAT THE EXPERTS SAY: As an archetypal Winter, Meghan looks effortlessly stylish in black. Unlike many people, she can wear black right up to her face as it complements her colouring
RATING: 9/10
HIT
WHAT: Erdem Dress and matching coat
WHERE: Commonwealth Day, Canada House, March 11, 2019
WHAT THE EXPERTS SAY: Deep pine green looks luxurious and expensive against Meghan's cool skin tone
RATING: 9/10
HIT
WHAT: Ralph Lauren Parker jacket
WHERE: WE Day 2019, Wembley, March 6, 2019
WHAT THE EXPERTS SAY: Royal navy is a really striking Winter jewel colour for Meghan. It lights up her face, makes her look authoritative but real, and conveys professionalism
RATING: 10/10
Meghan Markle stuns in printed blue smock dress in Morocco
MISS
WHAT: Blue Carolina Herrera floral printed silk chiffon gown
WHERE: Audience with King Mohammed VI, Morocco, February 24, 2019
WHAT THE EXPERTS SAY: While Meghan still looks beautiful, this hyacinth shade is too soft for her. It looks faded and unremarkable. Cobalt blue or royal purple would make her eyes sparkle
RATING: 6/10