The New Princess Diana: Meghan Markle 'Channels' Late Royal While Reading to Sick Kids at Los Angeles Children's Hospital

Meghan Markle reportedly "resurrected her acting skills" to play her late mother-in-law, Diana, Princess of Wales, at a children's hospital in Los Angeles on March 21. In what one critic described as the Duchess of Sussex's "best performance," the former actress read three of her favorite kid's books to gathered children, and even wore Diana's famous Cartier watch during the visit.

Meghan wore a floral-patterned Oscar de la Renta dress during the hospital tour, which many are pointing out is nearly "an exact replica" of the late princess' visit to a children's ward in Harlem in 1989. A royal insider shared how "you can clearly see in her body movements, facial expressions, and reactions to the kids that she is recreating Diana's 1989 trip to Harlem."

They added: "She was also making sure to show off that Cartier watch that the princess adored."

Diana started wearing the accessory in 1996 after her divorce from the then-Prince Charles. After her death the following year, it is believed that Prince William inherited the watch while Prince Harry chose to keep their mother's famous engagement ring. The brothers switched the two accessories in 2010 when William proposed to Kate Middleton. The Duke of Sussex gave the watch to Meghan after their marriage, and the Duchess has worn it several times in public.

Fans took to social media to praise Meghan's look, with one writing: "Love this look in general, but a fun, whimsical look for an event with kids!"

Another fan shared, "Such a lovely look. Her outfits have all been hits lately", while someone else pointed out: "I really like this dress! [heart-hands emoji]."

The Duchess of Sussex has been accused in the past of being "obsessed" with the iconic mother-in-law she never got to meet.

Harry and Meghan have both spoken openly about his mother in recent years, including the revelation that he took the California native to visit Diana's grave in 2022.

"So much of what Meghan is and how she is so similar to my mom. She has the same compassion. She has the same empathy. She has the same confidence. She has this warmth about her," the fifth in line to the throne wrote.

"Not only did Earl Charles Spencer [Diana’s only brother], Lady Sarah McCorquodale, and Baroness Jane Fellowes [Diana’s two sisters], and her close friend Julia Samuel fail to see the similarities between Meghan and Harry’s late mother— as the prince reportedly hoped — but they thought that she would struggle to fit in with the royal family," royal author Tom Bower wrote in his book, Revenge: Meghan, Harry, and the War Between the Windsors.

The New York Post reported on Meghan's visit.