Kate Middleton and Meghan Markle Are Putting Their Own Spin on Summer Shorts

Chris Jackson/Getty Images; BACKGRID Kate Middleton; Meghan Markle

Kate Middleton and Meghan Markle are embracing a summer-style staple.

On Sunday, Kate headed to the historic naval town of Plymouth to take part in the Great Britain Sail Grand Prix. Before changing into a wetsuit for the boat race, the Duchess of Cambridge wore a nautical-inspired look featuring a striped navy sweater with white linen shorts.

It wasn't until 2019 that Kate first wore shorts in public as a member of the royal family. That was also for a charity sailing race, with her sea-friendly outfit also consisting of New Balance sneakers and a baseball cap.

Kate, 40, also opted for a pair of khaki shorts during her visit to the Caribbean with Prince William earlier this year for yet another sailing outing.

RELATED: Kate Middleton (in a Wetsuit!) Joins Sailboat Race with Team Great Britain

Kate Middleton in 2019

Meghan, 40, has been spotted rocking shorts a number of times this summer. While supporting Prince Harry and his polo team at the Santa Barbara Polo Club, not far from their Montecito home, the Duchess of Sussex twice wore shorts with a blouse in the same color — once in white, and once in blue.

Meghan put a dressy yet casual spin on the style during the couple's recent trip to New York City. She stepped out to lunch with friend and political activist Gloria Steinem at the Crosby Hotel in SoHo wearing a white button-down blouse tucked into a pair of tailored Bermuda shorts and accessorized with a cognac brown belt that matched her pointed-toe pumps and beaded clutch.

Ray Tamarra/GC Images Meghan Markle in 2016

Although Meghan did not step out in shorts as a working member of the royal family, they've been part of her wardrobe since moving to California. At a drive-through charity event with Baby2Baby in 2020, Meghan wore olive shorts as she helped distribute school supplies, books, backpacks, clothing, food, hygiene items and more to those in need.

They were also part of Meghan's wardrobe ahead of her marriage to Prince Harry, like in 2016 when she arrived at Today in striped shorts with a matching blazer.

Tim Rooke/Shutterstock Sophie, Countess of Wessex

Although it's rare for women of the royal family to wear shorts during engagements — Queen Elizabeth has never worn them in public and has been seen in pants only a handful of times throughout her reign — there are no rules against it.

Not only has Kate worn shorts during her athletic outings, but the Queen's daughter-in-law Sophie, Countess of Wessex recently sported a pair of pink shorts with a t-shirt supporting Dame Deborah James' Bowelbabe fund while paddleboarding in Gibraltar.

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Mark Cuthbert/UK Press via Getty Images The Duchess Of Cambridge Joins The 1851 Trust

Kate has recently incorporated more trousers and suits into her royal wardrobe, and it's not uncommon to see her in jeans for casual events.