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'Meghan isn't the new Diana,' says former palace press secretary Dickie Arbiter

Watch the full interview with Dickie Arbiter, the Queen’s former press secretary, on episode two of Yahoo UK’s brand new show ‘The Royal Box’ from Friday 22 June.

Since announcing her engagement to Prince Harry, Meghan Markle has constantly been compared to the late Princess Diana.

Thanks to her sartorial impact, charitable endeavors and protocol-breaking moves (Meghan famously hugged an aspiring actress during a visit to Nottingham), it’s easy to draw parallels between the Duchess of Sussex and the mother-in-law she never met.

But there will only ever be one Diana, says former palace press secretary Dickie Arbiter.

“People continually draw comparisons between Meghan and Diana – and it’s really in the media,” Arbiter tells Kate Thornton in episode two of ‘The Royal Box’.

“The British public don’t draw comparisons. There was only one Diana. There will only ever will be one Diana.”

Princess Diana, photographed during a visit to Leicester in May 1997, died almost 21 years ago [Photo: PA]
Princess Diana, photographed during a visit to Leicester in May 1997, died almost 21 years ago [Photo: PA]

Arbiter adds that after two decades since Princess Diana’s death, it’s time the world moves on and stop the comparisons.

“The lady, god rest her soul, has been dead for nearly 21 years,” says Arbiter. “You have to move on. You have to judge the Duchess of Cambridge, Catherine, you have to judge the Duchess of Sussex, Meghan, in their own right.”

The Duchess of Cambridge (left) and the Duchess of Sussex at the Trooping the Colour 2018 [Photo: Getty]
The Duchess of Cambridge (left) and the Duchess of Sussex at the Trooping the Colour 2018 [Photo: Getty]

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Read more from Yahoo Style UK:

From royal rebellion to fashion influence: The striking parallels between Princess Diana and Meghan Markle

Meghan Markle wears Princess Diana’s cocktail ring to wedding reception in touching tribute

Duchess of Cambridge gives a subtle nod to Princess Diana by wearing her jewellery