Just weeks after Kensington Palace made a rare statement debunking tabloid rumors of “tension” between Meghan Markle and Kate Middleton, a reported royal insider has allegedly come forward to claim that the American former actress intentionally made a “conscious effort” not to dress like the demure Duchess of Cambridge after she married into the royal family last spring — though her intentions in doing so are said to be purely polite.

Britain's Kate, Duchess of Cambridge, left, and Meghan Duchess of Sussex, right, arrive to attend the Christmas day service at St Mary Magdalene Church in Sandringham in Norfolk, England, Tuesday, Dec. 25, 2018. (AP PhotoFrank Augstein)

Britain's Kate, Duchess of Cambridge, left, and Meghan Duchess of Sussex, right, arrive to attend the Christmas day service at St Mary Magdalene Church in Sandringham in Norfolk, England, Tuesday, Dec. 25, 2018. (AP PhotoFrank Augstein)

On Jan. 2, Elle reported that a "royal insider" exclusively revealed that Markle and her stylist, Jessica Mulrooney “knew that the Kate comparisons would be inevitable” regarding her wardrobe after she wed Prince Harry in May and took on the duties of a working member of the British royal family. Longtime friends Markle and Mulrooney reportedly made a "conscious effort" to select distinctly unique looks for the newly minted Duchess of Sussex as to "not be accused of copying Kate's style,” as per Elle.

Britain's Prince William, left, Kate, Duchess of Cambridge, second left, Meghan Duchess of Sussex and Prince Harry, right, arrive to attend the Christmas day service at St Mary Magdalene Church in Sandringham in Norfolk, England, Tuesday, Dec. 25, 2018. (AP PhotoFrank Augstein)

Britain's Prince William, left, Kate, Duchess of Cambridge, second left, Meghan Duchess of Sussex and Prince Harry, right, arrive to attend the Christmas day service at St Mary Magdalene Church in Sandringham in Norfolk, England, Tuesday, Dec. 25, 2018. (AP PhotoFrank Augstein)

CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP

On the left, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle pose for the media in the grounds of Kensington Palace in London, Monday Nov. 27, 2017. On the right, Prince William and his then-fiancee Kate Middleton posed for the media at St. James's Palace in London, after they announced their engagement on Nov. 16, 2010.

On the left, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle pose for the media in the grounds of Kensington Palace in London, Monday Nov. 27, 2017. On the right, Prince William and his then-fiancee Kate Middleton posed for the media at St. James's Palace in London, after they announced their engagement on Nov. 16, 2010. (AP)

Duchess Meghan’s effort to blaze her own sartorial trail in 2018 proved successful, as the upbeat royal made headlines and held in her own in a slew of navy, black and neutrally toned looks, often sleek in design. For better or worse, the mom-to-be also made headlines as she sported messy buns and exposed shoulders, while occasionally forgoing pantyhose, putting her hands in her pockets, and going barefoot at royal engagements, too.

Future queen Kate, meanwhile, largely stuck to her tried-and-true proclivities for bright colors, festive prints, full-skirted frocks and her go-to nude pumps by L.K. Bennet during official appearances through the last year.

Future queen Kate largely stuck to her tried-and-true proclivities for bright colors, full-skirted frocks and her go-to nude pumps by L.K. Bennet during official appearances through the last year.

Future queen Kate largely stuck to her tried-and-true proclivities for bright colors, full-skirted frocks and her go-to nude pumps by L.K. Bennet during official appearances through the last year. (Reuters)

Britain's Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, Prince William, Duke of Cambridge, Meghan Markle and Prince Harry leave St Mary Magdalene's church after the Royal Family's Christmas Day service on the Sandringham estate in eastern England, Britain, December 25, 2017. REUTERS/Hannah McKay - RC117DF76700

From left to right: Duchess of Cambridge Kate Middleton, Prince William, Meghan Markle and Prince Harry. (Reuters)

JUSTIN BIEBER DESIGNING HOTEL-LIKE SLIPPERS FOR FORTHCOMING CLOTHING LINE

Kate, Duchess of Cambridge and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, right, watch the women's singles final match between Serena Williams of the US and Angelique Kerber of Germany at the Wimbledon Tennis Championships, in London, Saturday July 14, 2018. (Nic Bothma, Pool via AP)

Meghan Markle and Kate Middleton pictured here in September. (AP)

Nevertheless, Elle’s royal insider claimed that Markle was wise to take more than a few fashion cues from Middleton as she formally stepped into the spotlight, as Prince William’s wife “hasn’t put a foot wrong and is a great role model.”

FOLLOW US ON FACEBOOK FOR MORE FOX LIFESTYLE NEWS