Emma Weymouth makes a glamorous appearance in New York after sparking debate among royal fans with comments about being the first black woman to marry into British aristocracy

Emma Weymouth commanded attention on Tuesday evening, as she made a dazzling appearance in New York City, after royal fans took to social media to draw comparisons between her and the Duchess of Sussex.

The Marchioness of Bath, 39, was the picture of glitz and glamour as she stepped out in a one-shoulder silver gown, encrusted entirely in rectangular diamantés.

Flashing a radiant smile, she added even more sparkle to her striking outfit with beaded high heels, diamond earrings and glittery eyeshadow.

Her outing comes after she sparked debate among royal fans with comments about being the first black woman to marry into British aristocracy in the latest season of the reality TV show, Ladies of London: The New Reign.

Emma has joined the cast of the rebooted Hayu show, which follows socialites on the London scene, alongside the mother of Princess Beatrice's stepson, Dara Huang, and former Made in Chelsea star Mark-Francis Vandelli.

In the opening scenes, designer Lottie Kane brought up Meghan while introducing Emma to viewers.

'She is the first black woman to be married into an aristocratic family, and I think Meghan Markle tries to claim that, but it was actually Emma,' she said.

'I'm of mixed heritage, half-Nigerian, half-English,' added Emma, who became the Marchioness of Bath after her husband Ceawlin Thynn's father, Alexander Thynn, died in 2020.

'The press commented heavily on the fact that I was going to become the first woman of colour to hold this title, and I acknowledge the fact that... the only woman of colour in this position is me, still to this day,' she continued.

Fans took to social media to comment on Meghan's mention in the show, with one writing: 'People continue to obsess over Meghan. Her power!'

A second said: 'Of course, they think if they mention M it will give them more traction.' A third wrote: 'Watching #LadiesOfLondon and they threw some shade at Meghan Markle.'

Emma went on to explain her title, saying: 'My title is the Marchioness of Bath. My husband is the Marquess of Bath.

'What does it mean in 2025 to have a title? For me, it matters in the context of the estate, the house, and the family.

'My husband is Ceawlin Thynn, the Marquess of Bath, and I run Longleat House. Longleat House is a stately home; it was built in the Elizabethan times in 1518. It's very big, it's officially the biggest house in the UK.

'Longleat is a 10,000-acre estate with art and antiques, 44 thousand books, a very huge collection of beautiful things.

'Longleat is our main home, but then the kids go to school in London now, so I'm half in London, half at Longleat, and no two days are the same.

Emma was met with positive comments from her castmates, with Mark-Francis saying of her: 'Emma is the embodiment of the modern aristocrat.

'She's cool, she's trendy, but at the same time, she holds, with great grace, the weight of being one of Britain's most important aristocrats.'

Emma became Britain's first black marchioness in April 2020, when her husband's father, Alexander Thynn, 7th Marquess of Bath, died unexpectedly of coronavirus aged 87.

But speaking to Tatler later that year, she said that she didn't want her skin colour to be a 'defining characteristic' and admitted to being a reluctant role model.

Emma - who shares sons John, 11, and Henry, nine, with Ceawlin - said: 'Where I have been discussed in a positive light, as positive change, I'm grateful for being included in the conversation.

'I see my role as a practical thing: as a wife, mother and someone with a responsibility to maintain this incredible estate. I aspire to a future where [my skin colour] is not a defining characteristic.'

The former Lord Bath - who was known for his affairs with as many as 70 women, who he called his 'wifelets' - and his wife Anna Thynn boycotted Emma and Ceawlin's wedding in 2013.

In 2015, Ceawlin claimed his mother - who died in 2022 - said to him: 'Are you sure about what you're doing to 400 years of bloodline?' in reference to the colour of Emma's skin.

Anna denied making the comment and said she has 'absolutely nothing against her daughter-in-law' but had never met her grandchildren – something Emma has previously acknowledged is an ongoing sadness for her and her husband.