Meghan Markle has made a striking return to the public eye with a series of high-profile appearances, starting with a show-stopping debut at Paris Fashion Week, secretive meetings with Vogue, and a seamless presentation at the Fortune Most Powerful Women Summit in Washington, D.C.

The Duchess of Sussex’s refreshed style and luxurious designer wardrobe suggest a strategic evolution, reminiscent of iconic figures like Gwyneth Paltrow and Victoria Beckham.

After a period of relative quiet, Meghan has resurfaced with a flourish of high fashion, radiant skin, and discreet engagements with influential figures in the fashion industry. These steps appear to be part of a calculated move towards what could be her most ambitious project yet.

Her appearance at Paris Fashion Week was no mere celebrity sighting; it was a deliberate power play. Attending the Balenciaga show, Meghan exuded the confidence of someone with a clear purpose and a keen awareness of whom she wanted to connect with.

“This visit was a statement that she is a formidable presence in the fashion world,” remarked Jane Tippett, a royal biographer and fashion expert. “Her attire and demeanor indicated a serious interest, akin to her baby shower but without the royal scrutiny.”

She traded her casual California attire of jeans and linen jackets for impeccably tailored outfits and sleek silhouettes, all bearing the hallmark of luxury designer labels.

The duchess wasn’t just attending fashion week, she was announcing herself to it.

Days later, Meghan was back on home turf, and her wardrobe spoke volumes. In New York, she was photographed in a Saint Laurent blazer, all clean lines and quiet power. Then came the Giorgio Armani tuxedo at the Project Healthy Minds Gala, a sharp, masculine-cut suit that screamed confidence, and also the Chanel gown for an evening at Soho House.

The duchess appears to be positioning herself not as a muse for luxury brands, but as a founder in her own right 

Meghan’s new look and designer wardrobe all point to a major power move, with shades of Gwyneth Paltrow and Victoria Beckham

Paltrow wore a belted Bennett cardigan from her G label by Goop in the courtroom in Park City, Utah in 2023

Next came the intrigue. Meghan was reportedly spotted having a private meeting with US Vogue’s new editor, Chloé Malle, at The Whitby Hotel in Manhattan. On the surface, it was a friendly catch-up. But the timing, so soon after her Paris debut, showed that it’s not about coverage, she is looking to shape the story.

It’s not just her wardrobe that’s had an upgrade, her make-up has too. Meghan has debuted a visibly refreshed look, dewy, bronzed skin, with slicked back hair together with plenty of airtime for her beauty products on Instagram.

It’s a far cry from her old, pared-back California minimalism and calls the question of whether she is looking to follow in Victoria Beckham’s footsteps by launching her own make-up or skincare range.

Jane Tippett believes that Meghan will know that her clothes are being watched and admired, ‘she will be aware that brands are profiting from her appearances, so she will be thinking about how she can monetise them too.’

‘Meghan really hasn’t landed on anything that has stuck yet,’ continues Tippett, ‘so perhaps fashion and beauty are the next step forward for her as it is something she does very well.’

Of course, Meghan wouldn’t be the first Hollywood-turned-royal to pivot into lifestyle and fashion. The obvious comparison is Gwyneth Paltrow, whose wellness empire Goop grew from a simple newsletter into a billion-dollar brand, and who has just launched her own fashion label, Gwyn.

Like Paltrow, Meghan seems to understand that modern influence isn’t about endorsement deals, it’s about ownership. The duchess appears to be positioning herself not as a muse for luxury brands, but as a founder in her own right.

Making a surprise appearance at Paris Fashion Week, Meghan went for stealth wealth style in an all-white Balenciaga ensemble to sit front row at the Spring Summer show

The Duchess of Sussex paired a sleek Saint Laurent blazer with one of fashion’s most coveted accessories, a classic quilted Chanel bag. The combination was pure modern luxury, balancing structure with subtle glamour

At the Project Healthy Minds Gala Meghan went full black-tie, wearing a Giorgio Armani tuxedo suit. This wasn’t a red-carpet risk-taking moment, it was a deliberate nod to classic glamour, but with a twist

Stepping out for dinner at Soho House in New York, Meghan once again proved she’s firmly in her fashion power era oozing Parisian sophistication in a strapless, full-length Chanel tweed gown

‘Gwyneth proved that a woman can turn personal style into a global business,’ said Tippett. ‘Meghan’s clearly been taking notes. She’s not trying to copy anyone, she’s just building her own version of that playbook, and her jams have been the preamble to the next launch.’

For her talk at Fortune’s Most Powerful Women 2025 summit in Washington, Meghan wore a Gabriela Hearst blouse with a soft Italian vegan leather Brochu Walker skirt, earrings by Polène, and a Dior ring she had custom made for her son Archie’s christening. Maybe the significance of these sustainable luxury brands is also a clue about what she will do next?

Since leaving royal life, Meghan has experimented with different platforms, however her recent appearances have felt like a string of strategic chess moves.

‘Meghan is hidden for months and then there is a collection of hyper glamorous moments,’ Tippett explains. ‘A bombardment of appearances are yet another attempt to remind the world that she is a power player.’

‘She clearly wanted to be photographed, these were highly orchestrated moments of Meghan looking at her best,’ continues Tippett.

Paris was the announcement. New York was the confirmation. Now, her glowing new look suggests a new phase altogether, a carefully choreographed image refresh, designed to set the stage for whatever comes next.

And judging by the precision of her recent moves, she’s not waiting for an invitation.