Kate Middleton Latest: How Meghan Markle Is Following In Her Footsteps

Kate Middleton may still have some clout as one of the current superstars of the royal family, but her soon-to-be sister-in-law, Meghan Markle, seems ready to overtake her status as the royal to watch.

Middleton, whose title is actually the Duchess of Cambridge, has long been the style icon of the royal family, ever since announcing her engagement to Prince William in 2010. While she still is capable of influencing the masses however, Markle, who is engaged to Prince Harry, is starting to potentially overtake "The Kate Effect" with her own phenomenon--"The Meghan Effect."

Since Middleton and Prince William's April 2011 wedding, her status as a fashion icon had reportedly added about $1 billion annually to the British fashion industry, but Markle's entrance into the royal family is expected to rake in around $677 million alone this year, with interest only beginning to grow in her. In addition, Markle has other built-in fanbases in the US and Canada from her career as an actress, and her trendy style is expected to quickly overtake the "Kate Effect."

Examples of items that have shown the power of the "Meghan Effect," are the $750 white wool coat from LINE that she wore during her engagement photo call in late November, which quickly sold out within seconds, and was promptly renamed "The Meghan." The $675 Burgundy purse by Strathberry that she carried on her first official royal outing sold out in 11 seconds and was also promptly renamed the "Meghan Bag."

If that trend is to continue, that, as well as the $500 million pound/$680 million US that the wedding itself is expected to generate for the British economy, Markle could quickly cement herself as the bigger royal to follow when it comes to her fashion choices.

However, even if Markle does manage to overtake Middleton when it comes to being a fashion icon, the Duchess' own influence isn't going to suddenly disappear, as she is likely to still be as powerful. Even in 2016, five years after her wedding, her Sarah Burton for Alexander McQueen wedding gown was still a major influence when it came to the designs brides requested most, with dramatic trains, deep V-necks, long sleeves and lace details dominating Spring 2017 bridal trends. Those same elements, including V-necks, clean and modern lines, and sleeves, are still a big component of current bridal trends as well.

Of course, there is one area that Middleton will continue to best Markle at is providing future heirs to the throne. She is expecting her third child with Prince William in April, and that child will officially become fifth in line for the throne behind Prince Charles, William, Prince George and Princess Charlotte. Harry will officially be demoted to the place of sixth-in-line, and his first child with Markle will become seventh.