Meghan Markle‘s birthday photos are generating more than celebratory wishes. Shortly after the Duchess of Sussex shared a series of swimsuit pictures from her 45th birthday, social media users began drawing comparisons to Princess Diana. A side-by-side image posted online quickly went viral, with some claiming Markle had recreated one of Diana’s most memorable vacation moments. Since then, fans have been divided over whether the resemblance was intentional or simply a coincidence.
Meghan Markle’s swimsuit photo on birthday sparks varied reactions from fans
Meghan Markle marked her 45th birthday by sharing a pair of black-and-white photos on Instagram. The pictures captured the Duchess of Sussex jumping into a circular pool while holding birthday balloons above her head. She wore a scoop-neck swimsuit with high-cut bottoms, layered chain jewelry, and oversized black sunglasses. Keeping the caption simple, she wrote, “Thank you for the birthday love!” and paired the post with Cliff Richard and The Shadows’ “Summer Holiday.”
Soon after, the photos began circulating beyond Instagram. An account on X, @MeghansMole, shared a side-by-side comparison of Markle’s birthday photo and an image of Princess Diana diving into the water during a 1997 holiday in Saint-Tropez. According to the post, the two images appeared similar, particularly because both women were captured mid-air with their hands raised.
Before long, the comparison attracted plenty of reactions. Some critics alleged the resemblance was intentional. “She is always so performative. Diana was having fun. M is cosplaying,” one user claimed. Another wrote, “She always recreates her images,” while someone else argued, “But Diana’s was natural and she took her sunglasses off.”
Meanwhile, others focused on a different detail from Markle’s birthday pictures. “Who jumps into a pool wearing sunglasses?” one commenter questioned. Another added, “It was only a matter of time. I wonder what she will do next, what pose that Diana did will she do?”
