Jill Biden's show of support for the Sussexes? First Lady mirrored Meghan Markle in $2,890 Oscar de la Renta lemon-print dress on International Women's Day in wake of bombshell Oprah interview

• Jill Biden attended International Women of Courage award ceremony on Monday
• US First Lady, 69, donned a $2,890 lemon print dress by Oscar de la Renta
• Meghan, 39, wore a similar design for Archewell Audio podcast event last month
• Twitter users believe Jill made the choice to show support for Duchess of Sussex 

Jill Biden appeared to be showing support for Meghan Markle with her choice of dress worn on Monday.

The First Lady, 69, donned a $2,890 Lemon Print Belted Midi Dress by luxury fashion design Oscar de la Renta as she honoured 21 women from 15 countries at the International Women of Courage award ceremony.

Her decision to wear the same print and designer that the Duchess of Sussex, 39, wore for her first public appearance after quitting the royal family has become a topic of discussion across social media.

Last month, Meghan joined Harry to plug their Archewell Audio podcast at a Spotify event filmed at their $14 million Santa Barbara home, while wearing a $3,490 Oscar de la Renta gown with the same lemon print. 

As Meghan's friends continue to show support for her amid the backlash she's received for giving an interview with Oprah, some believe Jill could have chosen a similar dress to subtly stand by her.

Speaking to the American TV icon, Meghan revealed that she experienced suicidal thoughts while pregnant with Archie, alleged that a member of the royal family had concerns about his skin colour, and said that Kate made her cry.

Opinions about the highly anticipated interview have been divided, with some arguing about the timing as Prince Philip is recovering from an operation.

The First Lady gave an impassioned speech about the United States standing with the women honoured in the awards ceremony, as well as tweeted a quote by Maya Angelou about women standing up for themselves. 

She wrote: 'On this #InternationalWomensDay, we celebrate the resilience and courage of women everywhere. Each time a woman stands up for herself...she stands up for all women.' - Maya Angelou' 

Commenting on the similarities, fashion stylist Rochelle White told Femail: 'I love that Jill Biden showed support in the same dress that Megan Markle worn a few weeks back. I think with the design and pattern it could be a sign of solidarity, friendship and fresh new beginnings.  

'It was great for IWD 2021 with the celebration of women and also with the airing of the Megan and Harry interview. I think that was a way for Jill to show her support in a subtle way.'

Fashion stylist to the stars, Karen Williams added: 'Optics are everything in politics, and Jill Biden has smartly realised the power of her voice as FLOTUS without needing to say a word. We've seen how the First Lady can get it wrong – remember Melania and her 'I really don't care' Zara shacket? But so far, Jill hasn't put a well-heeled foot wrong with her sartorial statements. 

'She set out her stall early with her pro-Suffrage choice of purple at her husband's inauguration and her decision to go 'matchy matchy' on International Women's Day with that beautiful Oscar de la Renta citrus print gown from the same collection Meghan Markle is a pretty interesting coincidence. 

'Meghan and Harry's interview with Oprah has absolutely divided public opinion, but with that dress, especially on a day that celebrates women, I would love to think Jill is quietly sending a positive message of support from one strong woman, wife and mother to another. And she is looking absolutely fabulous with it.' 

According to UK-based marketplace Love The Sales, searches for 'lemon printed dresses' increased in popularity since March, compared with the same time last year.

Co-founder Stuart McClure said: 'The new First Lady's choice of dress was certainly a statement and not just for the eye-catching lemon-printed pattern from Oscar de la Renta's pre-spring collection. 

'It was the same, exact style as Meghan wore last month at a virtual Spotify event - since Meghan's appearance we've seen an 81 per cent increase in demand for 'lemon print' dresses with many less expensive styles from Missguided and Asos close to selling out! Meghan really still has the ability to inspire the fashion appetite of the public' 

Among the women Jill honoured earlier this week is Iranian chess arbitrator Shohreh Bayat, an imprisoned women's right leader in Belarus and Sister Alicia Vacas Moro, a registered nurse who established clinics to help impoverished women and children. 

She said: 'Some of these women have spent their lives fighting for their cause. Others are just starting out on a journey they didn't ask for.

'Some were called to service, and some couldn't escape it. They are fighting for their own lives and for their children. They want to right the wrongs of our past, to build a brighter future for everyone. They aren't immune to fear. No one is.' 

Although Jill Biden hasn't confirmed if her dress choice was deliberately aimed at showing support for Meghan, people have taken to Twitter praising her.

One person wrote: 'And @FLOTUS was wearing today dress with same fabric which Meghan wore during Netflix interview, with lemons. Seems to be message of support, Queen and other also have given messages with clothes and ornaments' 

Another said: 'Jill Biden giving a shout out to Meghan Markle through her dress choice is so fantastic. We see you Jill. Thanks for the subtle nod to our girl in show of support.' 

A third added: 'Nice to see our @FLOTUS give a nod to Meghan Markle by wearing a dress like what she wore in the Spotify trailer'  

Prince Harry has had a firm friendship with Dr Jill Biden since they met when he was touring the US in 2013, still as a prominent Royal.

The pair who have a 33-year age gap, are said to have bonded over their shared military links with the Duke having spent 10 years serving in the British Army and Jill's late stepson Beau having been a major in the US Military. 

A year after Jill and Harry first met, the US First Lady travelled solo to London for Harry's inaugural Invictus Games.

Joe joked he was 'a little worried' about how much time Harry and Jill were spending together, as the pair were photographed beaming.

The Bidens also attended the Games in Toronto in 2017 - the same year that Harry stepped out in public with Meghan, 39, for the first time. 

Ahead of the recent US elections, their friendship sparked concerns about Prince Harry 'poking his woke nose' into politics as traditionally, members of the Royal Family are expected to remain politically neutral at all times.