During her recent visit to Nigeria, Meghan Markle, the Duchess of Sussex, stirred controversy by opting to wear a $1,350 dress. The choice of dress quickly led to a flurry of divergent interpretations and debates.

The dress, a beige silk maxi design by Heidi Merrick, is named “Windsor,” which incidentally is also the adopted name of the British royal family since 1917. The dress sold out rapidly after Meghan’s appearance. Some observers interpret the choice of the “Windsor” dress as a nod to her former royal life, while others see it as a calculated statement amidst her ongoing disputes with the royal family.

The controversy started to unfold during the Duke and Duchess’s three-day visit to Nigeria, which began on May 10. They were invited by Nigeria’s Chief of Defence Staff and their itinerary included several school visits and mental health awareness events, an area of concern for both the Duke and Duchess.

It was at the Lightway Academy in Abuja where Markle, 42, donned the “Windsor” dress, which led to extensive commentary on the social media platform X.

One user on X stated, “I’m convinced she is doing this on purpose at this point. Infamy is her goal – not approval,” drawing parallels to Wallis Simpson, the infamous Duchess of Windsor. Another user echoed this sentiment, noting, “You can’t tell me Meghan isn’t being deliberate in her choice of clothes. First, she wears a dress called ‘Ginger.’ Now it’s a dress called ‘Windsor.’”

However, not everyone shared this viewpoint. An opposing opinion on X suggested, “Honestly, I think people read too much into this stuff. She wears a dress and suddenly it’s a secret message? Maybe she just liked the dress.” People magazine also offered its view, suggesting that the dress could be a subtle tribute to Markle’s past ties to the royal family.

This recent fashion controversy adds to the ongoing discussions about Meghan Markle’s complex association with the British royal family. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex stepped down from their senior royal duties in 2020, triggering a range of public reactions. While some applaud their decision to seek financial independence and privacy, others interpret it as a snub to the Queen and the monarchy.

The couple’s interactions with the press have been cautious and often strained. This was evident during their Nigeria visit when they granted exclusive access to a seasoned reporter from People magazine. Critics argue that this contradicts their stated commitment to “diverse and open access” for their initiatives.

The visit to Nigeria coincided with the 10th anniversary of the Invictus Games, a sporting event for wounded veterans initiated by Prince Harry. While the Prince was attending the anniversary events in London, Meghan’s continued presence in Nigeria stirred further discussions.

The intention behind the selection of the “Windsor” dress, whether deliberate or coincidental, remains a topic of conjecture. Regardless, this event has revived public and media interest in the evolving dynamics between Meghan Markle, the Duchess of Sussex, and the British royal family.