Queen Camilla raises eyebrows for outfit choice in wake of Meghan Markle’s rumoured deal

Just days after Meghan Markle was at the centre of a controversial new deal, Camilla has raised eyebrows with her sly move during a royal outing.

Call it a Dior war.

Queen Camilla stepped out for day one of the Royal Ascot in the UK wearing a custom white outfit from luxury French fashion house Dior, triggering a flood of commentary about whether it was a subtle dig at Meghan Markle.

Camilla’s choice of outfit comes hot off the heels of Dior denying it was signing the Duchess of Sussex as the new face of its brand, which had been widely reported among British tabloids in the previous days.

Queen Camilla attends day one of Royal Ascot 2023 at Ascot Racecourse wearing custom Dior. Picture: Chris Jackson/Getty Images

Becoming the ‘Duchess of Dior’ would’ve been a huge coup for Meghan, 41, who recently lost her lucrative deal with Spotify.

Rumours had been swirling that Meghan’s powerhouse US talent agency William Morris Endeavor (WME) – whom she signed with in April – was pursuing a deal with Dior in a bid to squash bad publicity surrounding Meghan and Prince Harry’s strained relationship from the British royals, as well as their soured contract with the audio company.

But on Tuesday, reps for Dior and the Sussexes poured cold water on the report, insisting to The Telegraph no such negotiations were in place.

Meghan was rumoured to be signing on as the face of Dior. Picture: Matt Dunham / POOL / AFP

Page Six reports Camilla’s decision to wear Dior amid the reports “got everyone talking” at the Royal Ascot, which she attended with King Charles III.

“The gossip in the royal enclosure was how happy everyone was that Meghan and Harry weren’t here,” a source added to the publication.

Over on social media, many felt the timing of Camilla’s wardrobe choice was dubious.

Queen Camilla Wears Dior Outfit on Heels of Meghan Markle's Dior News
Queen Camilla might be shading Meghan Markle … after word a potential Dior deal isn’t happening for the Duchess, HRH just so happens to be proudly wearing that very brand. 🤔 The Queen was out and about Tu… pic.twitter.com/pYjjhWRBcD

— Dr.LyndaBarnes (@MrsBarnesII) June 20, 2023

HM Queen Camilla in Dior. My day is complete. Oh, the shade. The complete and utter shade. It's good to be Queen! https://t.co/F2nvkqebJK

— Princess Mrs B (@PrincessMrsB) June 20, 2023

And Camilla wore BESPOKE DIOR TODAY
Throwing shade
... pic.twitter.com/YtIGKE6p3A

— Chloe 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿🇬🇧 🇮🇱 (@StVitusDance) June 20, 2023

Meghan has never officially partnered with Dior, but has often worn its pieces during royal engagements, including at her son Prince Archie’s christening in 2019.

She also was thought to have been made up with the brand’s cosmetics for her royal wedding in 2018.

Meghan wore Dior for Archie’s christening in 2019. Picture: Chris ALLERTON / SUSSEXROYAL / AFP

Meghan is thought to have worn Dior cosmetics at her 2018 royal wedding. Picture: Andrew Milligan – WPA/Getty Images

Harry is also a fan of the label, wearing custom Dior suits on numerous occasions, more recently at the King’s coronation in May.

His mother, the late Princess Diana, has a special connection to the brandgoing back to the early ‘90s, when the then-First Lady of France Bernadette Chirac gifted her with an unreleased bag design called the ‘Chouchou’.

The elegant bag surged in popularity thanks to Diana’s endorsement, where she was often photographed wearing it out and about, and the style was later renamed ‘Lady Dior’ in her honour, a title it still holds today.

Meanwhile, royal watchers are eagerly awaiting what will come from Meghan’s deal with WME.

The mother-of-two is represented by Ari Emanuel, who is best known for being the inspiration behind Jeremy Piven’s Entourage character, Ari Gold.

Emanuel will work alongside agents Brad Slater and Jill Smoller – the former has been instrumental in Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson’s career and the latter is the longtime agent of Meghan’s good friend, tennis star Serena Williams.