How Carolyn Bessette Kennedy influenced Meghan's royal wardrobe

Meghan Markle and the late Carolyn Bessette Kennedy never had the chance to meet, but they probably would have had a lot to talk about.

The two women share some key similarities. Both forged successful careers — Carolyn as a fashion publicist, Meghan as an actress — and were known in their fields. Both were then catapulted to global fame when they married into two of the world's most famous families, and struggled with the resulting loss of privacy.

However, the parallels don't end there. Take a look at the outfits the Duchess of Sussex has worn over the years, and you'll notice echoes of Carolyn's most memorable looks.

The Calvin Klein publicist, who married John F. Kennedy Jr (a 'royal' of sorts) in 1996, remains a style icon 21 years after she died in a plane crash along with her husband and sister Lauren.

RELATED: Love Stories: How JFK Jr. found his 'equal' in Carolyn Bessette

Carolyn was known for her sleek, minimalist style, characterised by neutral and monochrome shades, unfussy silhouettes and timeless accessories.

Meghan had shared her admiration of the '90s icon long before she married Prince Harry, describing Carolyn's wedding dress as "everything goals".

She appeared to lean in to that inspiration in her royal life. On numerous occasions, Meghan has channelled particular outfits worn by Carolyn at the peak of her fame.

The white button-down

For her very first official public appearance as Prince Harry's girlfriend, Meghan opted for simple chic: a white shirt tucked into (gently) ripped pale denim jeans.

A white button-down is universally considered a wardrobe staple, but the garment also happens to have been a fond favourite of Carolyn — she wore white shirts in both casual and formal contexts.

The camel midi skirt

For her first royal event after her engagement to Harry was announced, Meghan paid homage to an outfit Carolyn wore in a similarly pivotal public moment.

After secretly marrying on Cumberland Island, off the coast of Georgia, JFK Jr and Carolyn greeted members of the press who'd gathered outside their New York apartment after hearing about the wedding.

RELATED: The unusual toast Carolyn Bessette's mum made on the eve of her wedding

The Kennedy heir formally introduced his new wife to the reporters, saying: "I just ask for any privacy or room you could give her as she makes that adjustment."

Carolyn wore tall brown leather boots, a camel midi skirt and a simple black jumper for the occasion.

It's a combination Meghan emulated almost identically when she visited Nottingham Academy in December 2017 — though with black boots and a matching belt.

The wedding dress(es)

The Narciso Rodriguez gown Carolyn wore on her wedding day was arguably her most influential outfit.

The simple yet elegant design — a floor-length, sleeveless slip silhouette, made of ivory silk crepe and cut on the bias — still inspires brides to this day.

In a 2016 interview with Glamour, Meghan named it as her favourite celebrity wedding dress, adding: "I personally prefer wedding dresses that are whimsical or subtly romantic."

However, the Givenchy gown she wore for her 2018 wedding to Prince Harry was more similar to another of Carolyn's famous fashion moments.

Meghan's slim long sleeves and bateau neckline recalled the figure-skimming cream Versace dress Carolyn wore to the Fire and Ice Ball in New York in 1998.

The beloved Narciso Rodriguez gown still made its influence known, with a clear tribute at the evening reception.

The Duchess' second dress, a halter-neck sleeveless design by Stella McCartney, featured a similar column-like silhouette to Carolyn's wedding dress.

RELATED: All the details of Meghan Markle's royal wedding outfits

Perhaps it was Meghan's way of channelling her dream dress on her wedding day while still toeing the royal family line for the main part of the event.

As royal style blogger Amanda Dishaw said of Carolyn's silk slip, "That dress definitely wouldn't fly in Windsor Castle."

The shirt and skirt

In early 2019, Meghan attended the Endeavour Fund Awards in an ensemble that was straight out of the Carolyn Bessette Kennedy look book.

The duchess, who was pregnant with son Archie at the time, paired a white button-down shirt with a floor-length black skirt, heels and a small clutch.

Fashion fans and commentators were quick to liken the outfit, created by her wedding dress designer Clare Waight Keller, to one worn by Carolyn to a benefit in March 1999.

The former publicist tucked a men's white shirt — its top buttons left undone, like Meghan's — into a long black skirt with a ruffled hem, both garments designed by Yohji Yamamoto.

Both women kept the look stripped-back with minimal jewellery (aside from their engagement and wedding rings, and a pair of stud earrings for Meghan).

As the Duchess takes further steps into her new life away from the monarchy — and its various sartorial expectations — perhaps we'll see her move away from the formality and channel some of Carolyn's more casual yet equally memorable street-style looks.

Here's hoping those brown corduroys, bandannas and Alice bands make an appearance...