No, Duchess Meghan won’t dress up Baby Sussex like Little Lord Fauntleroy

Meghan, Duchess of Sussex joins a panel discussion convened by The Queen’s Commonwealth Trust

The Duchess of Cambridge’s styling quirks are well-known to true-blue royal-watchers. Kate loves buttons and blue coats, but she also loves homage-ing her late mother-in-law, Princess Diana, especially for big occasions like baby-presentations and christenings. Kate’s styling quirks carry down to her kids too – Prince George spent much of his childhood dressed up in knee socks and princely shorts, like a retro Little Lord Fauntleroy. So obviously, people are asking if the Duchess of Sussex will do the same thing with Baby Sussex. The answer is: probably not?

With just days until Meghan Markle and Prince Harry welcome their new baby boy or girl, the layette is surely well stocked — and likely differs from that of previous royal babies.

“I really don’t think this baby will be dressed in smocking and knee-high socks the way Kate [Middleton]’s children have been,” says Sarah Dixon, a former maternity nurse who has worked with friends of the royals. “I think she will be a very modern parent and will probably take more guidance from friends such as Amal Clooney than she will from Kate.”

And don’t expect to see Queen Elizabeth‘s vintage Silver Cross Balmoral pram, which was used by Kate (and previous generations of royal moms) for Princess Charlotte’s christening.

“Amal has a Bugaboo for the twins, and I can see her going with their modern designs rather than the Silver Cross,” says Dixon. “Meghan has a very individual style, and she will incorporate that when she’s shopping for her baby. I think she will stick to some of her U.S. brands, like Petit Tresor in Los Angeles. And I’m sure she will use Honest, the eco-brand founded by Jessica Alba So many of my clients just love it.”

Given Meghan’s enthusiasm for sustainable and ethical fashion, there’s no doubt the royal mom will choose baby brands that are not only cute but also have a feel-good factor. “She will want to incorporate her own style and her love of all things eco when it comes to clothing for the baby, and she will go for organic cotton for her layette I’m sure,” says Dixon, who runs a bespoke baby concierge service and blog, Minime and Luxury.

[From People]

That People article was basically a low-key sponsored post for several baby-clothing companies, but that doesn’t mean the quotes are wrong. I do think Meghan will be a different kind of mother than Kate in a million different ways. Meghan will find a way to do some traditional things (like, for Baby Sussex’s christening), but no, she’s not going to dress up Baby Sussex like Little Lord Fauntleroy. What will be interesting to see is… when Meghan dresses Baby Sussex in modern kids’ clothes instead of Victorian garb, will Kate suddenly “modernize” her kids’ clothing too? I bet she does. Suddenly we’ll see Prince Lou in jeans and sweatshirts and cute little toddler sneakers.

Sussex Birkenhead visit

Photos courtesy of WENN, Avalon Red.

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54 Responses to “No, Duchess Meghan won’t dress up Baby Sussex like Little Lord Fauntleroy”

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  1. AnnaKist says:

    I’m sure Meghan will dress their bub beautifully, like all the nouveau-posh people do.

    • (THE OG)@Jan90067 says:

      I’m sure the baby will be in designer onesies lol. I don’t think M&H are waiting with baited breath for Granny’s pram (so impractical to use on grass lol). Also, didn’t Zara gift her with an iCandy Pram? Zara is doing promos now, sort of being an “influencer”, being paid over £1M for her endorsements:

      https://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-6185989/How-Zara-Tindall-earns-1-1M-year-brand-collaborations.html

      • SK says:

        I’m confused by this pram stuff. It’s not like Kate was using that pram as her normal pram! She used it once for each kid, to wheel them into their christening. It’s an antique, they’re not going to give it to anyone to use full time and it’s ridiculously impractical for her and also stands out way too much. Kate has had normal, modern prams for her kids.

    • BlueOrange says:

      The photo’s of Louis that Kate took for his birthday had him dressed in little Nike trainers and his outfit was hardly victorian. I’ve noticed the Cambridge kids are dressed very traditionally when they’re in public for some sort of official event but when yo see paparazzi photo’s, they’re dressed in more modern attire.

      • SK says:

        Yeah, apparently this is something they do on purpose. They dress the kids in this formal, old-fashioned style for formal occasions, and then in a normal, modern, preppy style in their time off. Supposedly it helps the kids differentiate and their parents also think it makes them more recognisable at events and less recognisable in private life. There are plenty of pap photos of George out with his grandma in casual clothes.

  2. Seraphina says:

    I think the sentence: take advice from friends——- than from Kate, says it all.

    And Kate is British and Megs is American so there is bound to be differences. Who really cares how they are dressed???? They are in the upper echelons of society. They will have the best regardless of what style clothes they will wear.

  3. Deedee says:

    Yes! So tired of seeing Kate’s babies in Normal Bill’s old clothes. So much Diana cosplay going on with that household.

    • Kittycat says:

      The cosplay at certain points became creepy.

      • Megan says:

        I think it is cute when he wears William’s outfits. He only wears short pants to public events. His regular street style is modern and cute.

  4. lily says:

    I feel like if Meghan will dress her son/daughter like Harper Seven Beckham and Flynn Bloom. Very cute

  5. Loopy says:

    I think Kate dresses her kids like that on public and royal events only like some type of uniform but her kids when she is watching polo or when they are out with Carole look very modern.

    • Eleonor says:

      This.
      And like it or not one of her kids will be king, I think she has to respect some royal protocol even for them.

      • Molly says:

        Yep. George and Charlotte have been very Regular Kid Appropriate when they’re out and about privately. At public, royal events, those kids are “working” too.

      • (THE OG)@Jan90067 says:

        This has been brought up before. It was reported that, when little, the kids were dressed for “official events” in that manner so that when they were in public on “off” time, they would not be as recognizable. Doesn’t anyone remember the pic of Kate taking George to the museum (he was maybe 2-3?) and he was in jeans and a sweater. Or the candids catching them in the park with Nanny Maria? “Regular” clothes. Also, the more recent ones, at the horse show(s). I think, for these kids, in direct line, esp. for the “official pics”, we will continue to see that “old-fashioned/formal” clothing until they’re older. Then, it will be uniforms for the boys, and coat dresses for Charlotte! lol (Kidding****!!!! I hope!).

        ***I would LOVE to see Charlotte turn out like “Eleanor” on “The Royals”!! Wouldn’t that be a kick in the pants to ol’ Wandering Willy!

      • Himmiefan says:

        I miss The Royals!

    • Harper says:

      I read one that Kate dresses George that way is so that he pretty unrecognizable when he’s out in private dressed as a regular kid. Official events and portraits? Hair pasted on the side, socks, twee outfits. During off hours? Hair a mess and regular clothes.

  6. Heather says:

    However the kid is dressed, he or she will be dressed well and appropriately. I do think that Meghan and Harry will dress their kid(s) in a bit more relaxed way. If they have a girl, the girl will not always be seen in dresses. All their kids will wear pants before the age of 5 or whenever.

    But I also think they will use the pram for the christening. That is a formal occasion with a formal walk and presentation.

  7. Meg says:

    These pics remind me of Meg’s love for a center part which looks so plain and unflattering to me

    • Chimney says:

      I agree! It comes off as weirdly severe, here’s hoping that she retires it after the baby

  8. klutzy_girl says:

    About three weeks ago , I briefly thought it felt like she hadn’t been pregnant forever like Kate but LOL, I take that back now. Hope she has the baby soon!

  9. perplexed says:

    I don’t think any of us know what what she’s going to do. None of us know her.

    I will say this, however. I wouldn’t take fashion advice from Amal Clooney (who is a smart woman, but I don’t gat her fashion).

  10. Eliza says:

    On their christening they’re not wearing knee socks, but a christening gown. George’s look has been traditional boy outfits for public events, but normal kid in his downtime. Just like Kate isn’t wearing coat dresses in her downtime. I’m ok with that.

    • Lithe says:

      THIS! I like that the kids have a “uniform” they wear when they are essentially at work and dress more normally in their downtime. And I bet that when they are wearing their work clothes it is a cue for being more guarded vs just being themselves.

      • KA says:

        Exactly. I consider this completely normal. I buy my kids special outfits for holidays, certain events, family portraits, etc. It is definitely not their normal style, and often includes bribing to keep them happy. I assume Kate does the same.

    • PrincessK says:

      That is a reminder that we will have the Christening to look forward to, probably in July and almost certainly in Windsor. I am sure a date has already been pencilled into the Queen’s diary.

    • billypilgrim says:

      I love the way Kate dresses the children.
      I enjoy the Little Lord Fauntleroy look.

  11. Himmiefan says:

    I didn’t think Amal spent any time with her kids, if other gossip sites are to be believed.

  12. Becks1 says:

    I think she will use the pram for the christening, but not for every day, which is fine and makes sense. There’s a line between traditional and practical and I think Meghan will walk it just fine.

    • Lilly (with the double-L) says:

      Because I lived in London when my daughter was born, I got this very traditional, unwieldy Maclaren pram. Hardly used it and used wraps and backpacks all the time. But, I sold it to very happy parents who loved getting a bargain.

  13. amanduh says:

    Does she have to Christen them or whatever? I’d love to see a real rebel and not do ANY sort of religious facade…
    I couldn’t believe the uproar when we didn’t do any Church-y thing! No one had the courage to say anything to my face, just snide remarks behind my back (easier for them – closer to my @ss which they can kiss!)

    • Arnk says:

      Too bad she married a man whose grandma is the head of the CoE and was anointed by god or whatever.

    • Brandy Alexander says:

      She herself was christened in the CoE right before her wedding. There is zero chance she doesn’t christen her child(ren).

      • amanduh says:

        Urgh, that’s so disappointing…

      • Tourmaline says:

        Right- plus the People article quoting all her friends discussed at length how religious she was and that she is very close to Archbishop of Canterbury.

  14. T.Fanty says:

    I believe it’s protocol not to allow young royal boys to wear trousers before a certain age. The Firm manages everything, down to the children’s clothing.

    • Heather says:

      Maybe for the direct heirs. Maybe it depends on if they’re titled? Prince Edward’s son, James, has been spotted in fairly relaxed clothes, including camouflage pattern.

    • Nic919 says:

      There is no protocol about what the kids wear, direct heir or not. They are dressed this way because that’s how the English, especially aristos, dress their kids for formal events.

    • Gia: Loopsided crowning merits on Kate says:

      Of course when there is a formal event then the Royals are expected to look the part. Partly that is what they get paid for. And sadly in these events even the royal kids are props and have to look and behave accordingly.

      Yep, nowadays everything about the Royals is managed and pr-controlled and planned in advance. Just like any popstar or celebrity who suddenly “discover” fashion and suddenly wear a particular “style” which they declare to be their “own” … it is all just pr and stylists and managers who present and position their clients in certain ways in certain magazines in order to achieve a certain …. whatever.

    • Mae says:

      I thought we had defined what Protocol means already?(when there were all these silly stories about Meghan breaking “protocol” when she wore this and that) There is NO protocol when it comes to fashion. There is preference. There is wearing something appropriate but there are no rules. The royals dress their children however they want to. It is a misconception that has somehow become repeated as fact that royal children only wear shorts up to a certain age. Nope. They can wear pants. It’s just the preference of the parents.

  15. Casey02 says:

    Kate dresses George, and I do mean Carole, the way Diana dressed William….it doesn’t matter that Diana dressed William appropriately for the timeframe he was born, if Diana did it, Carole will do the same. Thus, George looking as if he is living in another century.

  16. HeyThere! says:

    I read on here from, and thought it made sense, that Kate’s kids dress normal in public on non royal activities so they get less fandom and attention. Smart.

  17. Kit says:

    In Kate’s defense I think dressing her kids in Victorian garb is a way of protecting their privacy. This makes the kids less recognizable when wearing normal clothes in their everyday life, and symbolizes a border between public and private sphere which is a healthy approach. Kate wears the boring coat dresses for the same reason; it’s a uniform.

    Meghan and Harry will probably dress their kids in more modern stuff on public occasions, but then again they will be sheltered in ways the Cambridge kids aren’t. They will be quite far down the pecking order and can be raised in the countryside away from the London crowds and paps. They won’t be working royals in the future, and so the public don’t have the “right” to see them regularly like they do with the Cambridge kids, especially George.

    We see signs of this already, with the private Sussex birth vs. the very public Cambridge baby presentations. I bet the same will happen with the christenings.

    • Susan says:

      It’s hardly Victorian, lol. All the pictures of my cousins growing up in England and Ireland in the 50s and 60s and even early 70s have the boys in short pants and socks.

      • Casey02 says:

        Kit..LOL

      • Justme says:

        I can’t get over how much fuss there is about little boys in shorts and knee socks. As @Susan said, it was the norm in the mid-20th century in Britain (the French and Italian little boys wore very short shorts btw) Late Victorian and Edwardian boys would have been in sailor suits. And you know something – no little boy who wore shorts and knee socks suffered from this. No more than their sisters dressed in skirts and knee socks (that would have been me!) Their knees were fine.

    • iconoclast59 says:

      Also, dressing them in classic attire makes the photographs seem more timeless, instead of being anchored to a particular year. How many times have you looked at old photos of yourself and known EXACTLY when it was taken, based on what you were wearing in the picture? One more thing: Some clothing considered “hot fashion” now will undoubtedly wind up looking silly 20 years from now. Classic looks are classic.

  18. Susan says:

    The Cambridge children were only dressed traditionally for official events and photographs so it’s a little unfair to say Kate always dressed them this way. A few days a year is hardly a struggle. Besides, the traditional clothes are adorable.

    • Gia says:

      I agree.
      W&K’s kids just look royal prince/esse when it is a formal event and the pics will end up in picture books or historical archives.

      But they are trying to make a rebel out of Meghan and she just ain’t. They are trying to pretend she would modernise the RF and she isn’t even trying. it won’t work.

  19. Gia says:

    Yep, meghan will.
    Meghan is surprisingly conservate and tries to fit in with the Royals perfectly. Remember the engagement pic with that $80.000 – evening gown? The price tag was a grave mistake but the message was clear anyway: another Royal bride in the making just like the others.
    She wants to look expensive and she does.
    She wants to look royal and she does wear the clothes. Remember the designer dresses for formal events? Hardly any different from Kate’s designer stuff.
    She wore a tiara for her wedding like every royal bride and every non-royal bride with a family connection to the RF (Zara Phillips).
    She had two wedding dresses like every royal bride.
    She starved off her curves like every royal bride (Kate, Diana).
    She and Harry got an expensive re-decoration of their newly gifted home which is a big mansion in a park.
    And just like Kate and the other Royals she will get the diamonds and the medals pinned to her chest for nothing more than rolling out of bed and dressing up and shaking hands.
    And she will dress her children in the usual royal kids attire. just wait.