According to a recent data analysis by Lyst, Meghan Markle has officially solidified her position as the top royal influencer, surpassing her sister-in-law Kate Middleton. The study delved into over 20 million search queries from the past two years, focusing on the most talked-about fashion moments of the two duchesses. The results unequivocally point to Meghan leading the way in influencing fashion choices, despite a slight decline in the significant search increases she generated in 2017 and 2018.
On average, Kate Middleton’s fashion choices result in a 119% increase in online demand after a public appearance. In contrast, Meghan Markle’s impact more than doubles that number, with an average increase of 216%, even with the recent slowdown noted by Lyst. One of Meghan’s standout moments occurred earlier this year in March when she donned a silver and gold brocade dress to celebrate Prince Charles’ 50th Investiture Anniversary at Buckingham Palace. This single outfit sparked a remarkable 500% surge in online demand for brocade dresses within just 24 hours.
Similarly, Kate Middleton had her own fashion triumph in March when she wore a red Catherine Walker coat for Commonwealth Day services at Westminster Abbey, leading to a 225% increase in online searches for similar coats. Lyst also pointed out the distinct ways in which Meghan and Kate influence fashion trends, with Meghan boosting demand for specific colors and Kate driving traffic towards designer labels.
While Meghan currently holds the crown as the more influential of the two, there has been a slight slowdown in her impact recently. In late 2017, she caused a 164% spike in online searches for beige coats after sporting one by Sentaler, along with significant increases in demand for brown Stuart Weitzman boots and searches for the color brown. However, her more recent appearances have elicited a milder response, such as a 46% increase in searches for white trench dresses after she wore one by Wales Bonner following the birth of her child in May.
In conclusion, Meghan Markle’s fashion choices continue to wield a significant impact on online demand and search queries, solidifying her status as the top royal influencer, while Kate Middleton has also seen success in boosting searches for specific designer labels.
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