Meghan Markle has taken ownership of one of Princess Catherine’s most recognizable fashion items — and added a personal touch in a move that many are calling her boldest fashion statement to date.

In a new Instagram video montage documenting her recent trip to Washington D.C. for Fortune’s Most Powerful Women Summit, the Duchess of Sussex was seen carrying a customized version of a Longchamp travel bag, a piece widely associated with Princess Catherine.

A Statement Accessory with Royal Initials

Set to Dolly Parton’s empowering anthem “9 to 5,” the video showcased Meghan from her hotel check-in to her time on stage and finally boarding a private flight. What immediately caught viewers’ attention was her Longchamp ‘My Pliage L Travel Bag,’ prominently marked with the initials “DS,” which many believe stands for “Duchess of Sussex.”

The luxury tote, priced at around $860 AUD, allows buyers to personalize the canvas with oversized monogrammed letters. Meghan’s choice sparked swift reactions online.

One royal commentator wrote on X:
“Please don’t tell me she had a bag made with the initials DS for Duchess of Sussex? Didn’t she say in the Fortune monologue that she was ‘recovering from her time in the institution’?”

Others chimed in with criticism:
“Not even the real original royals have that LOL,” one user remarked, while another added, “This is crass, not classy.”

A Handbag with Royal History

Longchamp, the French luxury brand behind the bag, is known for its elegant handbags and accessories, seen as a more budget-friendly alternative to Chanel or Hermès. The Le Pliage collection in particular became a global bestseller, thanks in large part to Princess Catherine, then Kate Middleton.

Throughout the 2000s, Catherine was frequently photographed carrying different styles and colors of the Le Pliage bag. She even carried it on the day she graduated from the University of St Andrews. As the Duchess of Cambridge, she continued to use the bag during major appearances, including at the 2012 London Olympics and during international royal tours, where she was often seen with a travel-size version.

Markle’s Version vs. Catherine’s Legacy

Princess Catherine’s consistent use of the Longchamp bag helped elevate its popularity worldwide. However, unlike Meghan, she never chose to personalize hers — there has been no sighting of any Longchamp bag monogrammed with her initials, such as “PW” for Princess of Wales.

Meghan’s monogrammed version signals a very different approach, one that has stirred conversation about identity, branding, and the ongoing fashion influence of both royal women.