Meghan Markle’s £750k wardrobe has made these women a ‘fortune’ – how have they done it?

“Meghan was – and is – in our view a terrific role model,” says Christine Ross, a woman who has made huge sums of money chronicling what Meghan Markle, wife of Prince Harry and the Duchess of Sussex, wears – via a hugely popular blog.

Meghan’s Mirror has become a sensation after it appeared online the same month Meghan confirmed her romance with Harry in Vanity Fair, October 2017.

The blog manages to identify the Duchess’s clothes at an uncanny speed, almost as soon as the mother-of-one steps out on any given occasion.

It has been reported that the website is making the women who run it – Christine and Amanda Dishaw – it a fortune.

Meghan Markle wore a £107 dress by Aritzia and navy suede Manolo Blahnik BB Pumps, which cost up to £544.83, last night. And, true to form, Meghan’s Mirror had details of the look within minutes of the first glimpses of the Duchess.

The story of Meghan’s Mirror began when co-founder Christine, who was recently graduated with a small baby, formed a similar website based on Kate Middleton, WWKD? (What Would Kate Do?) in 2012.

Soon Amanda, an avid royal fan, had found the site. She asked to get involved and the pair have found great success.

Christine told You they were catering for women who wanted “role models with substance.”

Having seen first-hand how bloggers could capitalise on royal fashion, the two soon saw an opportunity when then-cable drama actress Meghan was first linked to Harry.

Christine told Express.co.uk: “We started Meghan’s Mirror back when there were only rumours swirling about Prince Harry dating Meghan.

“One of our co-Editors, Amanda, had been a fan of Suits (and Meghan) for years before for both her style on the show, and her lifestyle blog, the Tig – but also, with Amanda being Canadian herself, for Meghan’s ability to shine a style spotlight on Canadian brands during her time living in Toronto.”

So, how did the businesswomen develop the very fortunate hunch that has helped them cash in Meghan’s clothes?

“We started to see a lot of questions pop up about who Meghan was, what she was about…but more than anything, about what she was wearing as her style off-screen was extremely relatable for the everyday woman,” Christine reveals. “So we decided to take a leap of faith and answer those style questions with a new site we called Meghan’s Mirror in October 2016.”

Gushing over the actress-turned-royal, Christine adds: “She’s well-educated, built herself a career, has built amazing friendships and dedicated much of her time to charitable causes…all while looking fantastic.

“We wanted our readers to feel that same thing when they themselves looked in the proverbial mirror, and hence the title was born. It has expanded hugely since then with our term ‘MirrorMeg’ for similar style items to those Meghan has worn, often for less.”

Meghan’s Mirror makes a “small commission if you click through and buy” garments featured, and the creators host advertising and brand collaborations on the site.

There have even been claims Meghan herself is linked to the site, such is the speed and accuracy of its fashion finds, although this is denied.

In fact, royals are not permitted to make money from collaborations or to work as a spokesperson for brands, as this is considered inappropriate given their influential role and the fact they accept money from the public coffers.

One might remember Sarah Ferguson’s work as a brand ambassador for Weight Watchers, however, this business partnership was made after Fergie was no longer a member of the Royal Family, despite still being a Duchess.

However, Christine tells Express.co.uk that sometimes details of what Meghan is wearing comes directly from the Palace.

Additionally, brands who have supplied clothes to the Duchess may also give the editors a heads up if they expect Meghan to be wearing the clothes.

Incredibly Amanda and Christine have never met, communicating “constantly” with each other and their team, whether it’s via iMessage or FaceTime.

“Our favourite looks (of Meghan’s) are those that we can see ourselves wearing in our everyday lives,” Christie tells Express.co.uk.

“Amanda dreams of one day stepping off a plane looking as refreshed and glamorous as Meghan did when touching down in Austin for a Suits promo. The distressed denim and white shirt are a fashion uniform that she too uses in her daily life.

“These looks (casual, or street styles) are also the ones that are most interesting to our readers. While we all like to ‘oooooh’ and ‘aaaah’ over ballgowns and tiaras, the practical reality is that many of us don’t have the opportunity to wear them on a daily basis.”

Who is Meghan Markle? Quick profile

Meghan Markle was born Rachel Meghan Markle, on August 4, 1981 to parents Doria Ragland and father Thomas Markle.

Her father was previously married to Roslyn Loveless and Meghan has two elder half sibling – sister Samantha Markle and brother Thomas Markle Junior.

Actress

Meghan’s first television appearance in the USA was in an episode of the medical drama General Hospital in 2002.

She later moved on to roles in CSI, Without a Trace and Castle along with bit parts in Hollywood films including Get Him to the Greek, Remember Me and Horrible Bosses.

Meghan was also a “briefcase girl” on Deal or No Deal – but her most famous role was as Rachel Zane in legal drama Suits, which launched in 2011.

She was written out in the finale of the seventh series when her character got married, which aired in April 2018 – just before she got married herself.

Charity and humanitarian work

Meghan Markle’s career in television has gone hand-in-hand with her support for causes close to her heart.

She wrote about the stigma around menstrual health in an article for Time magazine and was a Global Ambassador for World Vision Canada – with whom she travelled to Rwanda for the charity’s Clean Water Campaign.

And her commitment to gender equality has seen her work with the United Nations – receiving a standing ovation in 2015 for her speech to mark International Women’s Day.

Relationships

In September 2011, she wed film producer Trevor Engelson, who she began dating in 2004.

But the pair divorced two years later in August 2013, citing irreconcilable difference.

She was in a relationship with celebrity chef Cory Vitiello for almost two years, before they broke it off in 2016 but the two remain good friends.

And in June 2016, she met Prince Harry on a blind date set up by a mutual friend.

Their relationship began in October that year and just over one year later, on November 27, 2017, the pair announced their engagement.

They married on May 19, 2018 at St George’s Chapel in Windsor Castle.

Meghan’s heritage

Some have claimed Meghan Markle is the first mixed-race member of the Royal Family.

Historians are still arguing about Queen Charlotte, the wife of King George III.

But Meghan will be the first royal to openly embrace a mixed-race heritage.

She has written about the difficulties of being a biracial actress in Hollywood as she claims she is not black enough for some roles and not white enough for others.