The biggest royal ‘fashion influencer’ revealed – and it isn’t Duchess Meghan

Both the Duchess of Cambridge and the Duchess of Sussex regularly make headlines thanks to their impeccable taste in fashion, however new research has revealed which of the stylish royals inspired the most shoppers with their outfit choices last year.

According to eBay’s annual Retail Report, Prince William’s wife Catherine proved to be the biggest royal fashion icon, compared to the likes of the Queen and her new sister in law Meghan, with her clothing choices having the biggest impact on the UK’s shopping habits over the past 12 months.

And it was the mother of three’s maternity style that triggered the most online sales, as shoppers rushed to replicate the looks she wore during her pregnancy with Prince Louis, who was born in April.

eBay revealed that searches for tailored maternity coats more than tripled in November 2017, after Kate and Prince William announced they were expecting their third child, while searches for British designer Jenny Packham increased two-fold following Kate’s appearance with newborn baby Louis outside of the Lindo Wing, wearing a red smock dress by Packham.

Hot on Kate’s heels in the style stakes though is Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, who has barely been out of the headlines in relation to her clothes ever since she said “I do” to Prince Harry at Windsor Castle on May 19.

After the world got a glimpse of the royal bride in her elegant Givenchy wedding gown, which featured a classic boat neckline, the designer was searched for more than 50 times every hour, an increase of more than 60 per cent.

Read more: Britain’s best dressed 2018: Unsuspecting royal makes the cut.

The 37-year-old’s second wedding gown, which was designed by Stella McCartney, was also a fan favourite and McCartney enjoyed double the amount of searches after Meghan was pictured in the stunning evening gown.

While Meghan’s off the shoulder Carolina Herrera dress, which she wore at Trooping the Colour in June, also proved a hit, with searches for the designer almost doubling.

Rob Hattrell, eBay’s UK vice president, told The Telegraph: “While Meghan was clearly the focus of the fashion pages this year, Kate’s distinctive style has long been a hit with shoppers on eBay since her wedding in 2011.

“We always see an uptick in searches around landmark royal events and 2018 was a bumper year for small businesses on eBay, with both the birth of Prince Louis and Meghan and Harry’s wedding driving purchases across the nation.”

Despite being just three, Princess Charlotte came in third place, with the flower crown she wore as a bridesmaid at Meghan and Harry’s wedding prompting a 60 per cent increase in searches for similar products on the retail site. 

There was also a jump in the number of shoppers hunting for floral print dresses after Charlotte was pictured wearing one as she played with her brother Prince George at a polo match in June.

Fourth place went to five-year-old Prince George who, earlier this year, was also named in Tatler magazine’s ‘Best Dressed List’. While Her Majesty the Queen came in fifth thanks to her love of decorative brooches. The reports shows that around 16 brooches are sold every minute on eBay, with an almost 20 per cent increase in searches in February after she was snapped wearing the Cullinan V Heart Brooch at London Fashion Week.

The eBay report also showed that Meghan’s wedding to Prince Harry in May caused a surge in sales, with the online marketplace recording an incredible 12 royal-related sales every hour in May thanks to the buzz surrounding their nuptials. 

Which member of the royal family’s style do you like the most? Would you ever be inspired to buy something, after seeing them wear it?