While millions around the world have taken inspiration from Kate Middleton's fashion, the Duchess of Cambridge has her own style source — her mom, Carole Middleton.
Mama Middleton's wardrobe and that of her elder daughter have plenty in common, with pretty prints and colorblock coats forming the basis of their looks. In fact, now that we think about it, Kate and Carole have so many shared style pointers (they often choose the same silhouettes and know the power of a comfortable heel), some of their outfits are hard to tell apart — like that day they both showed up at Wimbledon wearing green dresses.
Confident and classic, and relying on top labels like Catherine Walker as well as street style staples, there is a definite Middleton look, and it all starts with Carole. Keep reading for some of her most memorable looks.
Just days after Kate wore white for a visit to Wimbledon 2019, Carole did exactly the same, choosing a shift dress by one of her daughter's favorite labels, Goat, not to mention a hat that looked rather similar to Meghan Markle's trusty Madewell fedora.
Wimbledon 2018 saw Carole step out in a print shirtdress, another style preference she shares with Kate.
When Prince Harry married Meghan Markle at St. George's Chapel in Windsor, Carole was there in pastel mint green. Her Catherine Walker outfit, with dress and matching coat, was topped with the type of fascinator-style hat we've come to associate with Kate.
It was double-take time when Carole arrived at Wimbledon 2017 in a dress that looked very similar to a red and white McQueen outfit worn by Kate on a tour of Canada the year before. Carole's take on the tiered skirt dress was by Wolf and Badger.
This fresh print dress with cap sleeves and a flared skirt was another Wimbledon pick for Carole. Like Kate does often, she went for nude accessories to offset her bold look.
Carole's second outing as mother of the bride, at Pippa's wedding to James Matthews in 2018, saw her pretty in pink in another Catherine Walker design. And while the pleats on her coat are a style departure, the collar with its standout, single-breasted design is rather reminiscent of Kate's pick for Trooping the Colour in 2013.
Carole went for a print dress with mottled double-breasted blazer for a trip to Wimbledon in 2016, echoing one of Kate's favorite color combos.
Carole's ice blue dress by Goat, with its sweetheart neckline and three-quarter-length sleeves, was the perfect foil for Kate's lace as the two women attended the Royal Ascot. Carole re-wore the hat she'd used at the Cambridges' royal wedding six years earlier for this style moment.
Just like Kate and Pippa, Carole chose cream for the christening of Princess Charlotte in Norfolk. She opted for her go-to designer, Catherine Walker, in a sweet nod to Charlotte's other grandma, Diana, Princess of Wales, who was a famous fan of the label.
Kate and Carole caused quite the stir when they stepped out in almost identical black lace-accented evening gowns for the Royal Variety Performance in 2014. While the Duchess of Cambridge went full-length for the occasion, her mom opted for a cocktail-style dress with a lace overskirt that flowed to her knees.
Carole's visit to Wimbledon in 2014 gave us a sighting of this coral and white print dress with fitted waist and mid-length sleeves.
One of Carole's most famous looks came in July 2013 when she visited her newborn grandson, Prince George, at the hospital just after his arrival. The new grandmother chose an Orla Kiely dress with nude heels for this big moment.
Kate's made the knee-length boot one of her signature looks in the Winter months, and Carole loves it, too. Soon after we all found out that Kate was pregnant for the first time, her mom was snapped in this camel wraparound coat and suede boots, not to mention a huge smile.
Classic and elegant, this red sheath dress with full-length sleeves was Carole's pick for a night out with her family in London.
Carole's first appearance at the Royal Ascot as the mother of the future queen saw her pick a red dress with matching coat. Add in those nude heels and a hat with a turned-back brim and this could well be an outfit worn by Kate herself.
On the eve of the Royal Wedding in 2011, Carole accompanied her daughter to the Goring Hotel with the two women in almost identical outfits. Carole's look involved a knee-length black dress with a fitted single-breasted jacket and suede heels.
As the most famous mother of the bride in the world, Carole ticked all the style boxes as she watched Kate wed William at Westminster Abbey. Her ice blue Catherine Walker design included a fitted sheath dress with matching coat and wide-brimmed hat.
As Kate and William announced their engagement, Carole kept it simple, appearing in front of the press in jeans and a navy zip-up jacket.
Kate and Carole's shared style was obvious when we were first getting to know the Middleton family. They were spotted at Gatcombe Park in almost identical outfits with Carole adding a padded vest to her jeans and wellies look.