Meghan Markle and Victoria Beckham: Similar Styles Amid Shared Struggle with Bunions

Meghan Markle's friendship with Victoria Beckham has come to an end, reportedly due to Markle's discomfort with the Beckham family's wealth display. Despite the shift in their relationship, both women continue to showcase a remarkably similar sense of style, often appearing in nearly identical outfits, even sharing a common issue related to high heels.

Meghan and Victoria Share Fashion Choices

While Meghan no longer actively promotes the Victoria Beckham brand, her recent appearances indicate a clear influence from the former Spice Girl. At the 2023 Variety Power of Women event in Los Angeles, Meghan wore a stunning floor-length Proenza Schouler gown, which bore a striking resemblance to a design featured on the Victoria Beckham runway in past seasons. Both women also favor tailored trouser suits; during the 2022 Invictus Games, Meghan opted for a white Valentino ensemble consisting of an oversized double-breasted blazer paired with wide-leg trousers, reminiscent of a recent collaboration between Victoria Beckham and Mango.

Health Issues Linked to High Heels

Both women face complications from their shared affinity for high heels, as evidenced by their struggles with bunions. Meghan first exhibited signs of her painful condition in 2010, leading to surgery on her left foot. In contrast, Victoria has endured similar discomfort due to her preference for stilettos. Meghan's foot issues became particularly prominent during her inaugural royal tour in 2018, where she participated in 76 engagements over 16 days. Despite experiencing discomfort, she mostly chose high heels, notably revealing a bunion on her right foot during a traditional Māori welcome ceremony in New Zealand.

Struggles with Friendship and Fashion

According to royal author Tom Bower’s book, The House of Beckham, the dynamics of Meghan and Victoria's friendship deteriorated when Meghan expressed a desire for the designer's luxurious lifestyle. Reports suggest that Meghan felt frustrated by Victoria’s reluctance to provide her with complimentary clothing and accessories, which violated palace etiquette. Despite these tensions, Victoria did lend Meghan a coat for Christmas in 2018, a gesture she later described as an honor. Additionally, Victoria crafted a custom coat and dress for Meghan's final appearance at Westminster Abbey in 2020.

Impact on the Fashion Industry

Despite Meghan's stunning appearances wearing Victoria Beckham designs, Bower claims these moments had little impact on the designer's sales. Notably, Meghan turned heads in a turquoise Victoria Beckham dress priced at £950 during her first public appearance following her royal exit at the Endeavour Awards, attended alongside Prince Harry. This stylish moment, like others, showcases the intriguing interplay between friendship, fashion choices, and personal health challenges that both women face.

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