Meghan Markle's wardrobe is full of meaningful references this month. First, through the white Oscar de la Renta halter dress she wore to the 2024 ESPY Awards for her own wedding reception. And now, a custom Lady Dior handbag for her husband Prince Harry's late mother, Princess Diana.

Princess Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, enjoyed a casual Italian lunch with actress Kimberly Williams-Paisley at Tre Lune in Montecito, California, on Sunday, July 21. The former royal and current founder of the American Riviera Orchards was photographed leaving the restaurant in an outfit filled with the basics of California cool. (Photos of her look were initially posted on social media platform X and published on Wednesday, July 24.) She paired a white button-down from her favorite basic brand, Anine Bing, with straight-leg jeans from New York-based brand La Ligne and oversized Ray-Ban aviator sunglasses. Markle kept the look relaxed by rolling up her shirt sleeves and unbuttoning her shirt to her chest

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Her handbag was a miniature version of Princess Diana's eponymous Dior bag, known as Lady D-Light. Markle's top handle style is embroidered with “DSSOS,” which stands for “Duchess of Sussex.”

Her small black Dior bag set the tone for the more regal accessories, contrasting with her classic jeans and white button-down. Markle also wore cap-toe Chanel ballet shoes, plus a custom gold necklace by jeweler Arielle Gordon.

Markle's bite-sized Lady Dior bag has been in her on and off wardrobe for the past three years (at least). She first carried the bag with Prince Harry to the Global Citizen concert in New York's Central Park in 2021. Her styling then was even more formal than her weekend power lunch, featuring a white Valentino mini dress and black pointed-toe pumps.

Whenever a royal (or former royal) wears Dior's Lady Dior style, it cannot be passed off as a reference to Princess Diana; according to reports in the FT and Tatler, Princess Diana wore a quilted top given to her by former French First Lady Bernadette Chirac in 1995. She first owned a black version of the quilted top-handle style, which was a gift from former French First Lady Bernadette Chirac. She wore the bag so often that Dior decided to name the style “Lady Dior” in her honor in 1996. The bag sold 200,000 units in its first two years and remains a must-have for women from Hollywood to Buckingham Palace.

Speaking of Buckingham Palace: Queen Camilla carried Lady Dior's blush pink bag twice in a row this month. First to attend a Wimbledon match, and then for an official visit to Wales. The styling raised eyebrows in royal-watching circles, given that it was named after then-Prince Charles' wife. Camilla had been having an affair with Prince Charles for several years before their respective marriages ended, and they married in 2005.

On Meghan Markle's arm, the bag looks rather like a touching tribute to the mother-in-law she never knew.

This weekend's casual Lady Dior sighting will not be the last royal fans will see of Meghan Markle in the near future. Markle recently wrapped filming for a new Netflix cooking show that was shot near her Montecito home. According to sources, she “really enjoyed being back in front of the camera.” And in her return to the screen, she will no doubt be making more meaningful fashion choices, with input from stylist Jamie Mizrahi.

Editor's note: This article was originally published on Monday, July 22 and updated on Wednesday, July 24.