When Prince William and Kate Middleton announced their engagement back in October 2010, it was inevitable that the newest member of the royal family would be compared to her mother-in-law, the late Princess Diana. Over the following years, Kate's fashion choices have also often been compared to those of Lady Diana — many times because they might simply have worn the same color. However, there are some striking similarities between many of the women's choices — some intentional, and others less so.
When Kate Middleton emerged in a blue-and-white polka-dot Jenny Packham dress from St. Mary's Hospital with Prince George, royal fans immediately referenced Princess Diana's appearance with Prince William 21 years earlier. The Princess of Wales wore a frock with green-and-white spots from Catherine Walker. Likewise, Princess Diana chose a floaty powder-blue dress by Catherine Walker for a gala at the Cannes Film Festival in 1987, and Middleton channeled her mother-in-law in a pale lilac dress 14 years later, at a BAFTA gala in LA.
Just this month, Kate Middleton recreated one of Princess Diana's most memorable looks at Wimbledon. She wore a green blazer with a white lapel that resembled the iconic look her mother-in-law wore to the Trooping the Colour event in 1988.
The twosome are fans of many of the same sartorial statements, ranging from pastel colors to polka dots to plaids. Keep scrolling for every matching moment from Kate Middleton and the late Princess Diana.
For an iconic shot holding Prince Harry at the Trooping the Colour event in 1988, the then-Princess of Wales chose a green blazer with a bright-white lapel. Princess Diana wore a matching hat and pearl jewelry, coordinating each detail perfectly.
At Wimbledon 2023, Kate Middleton nodded to Princess Diana in a similar green blazer with a white lapel. She styled the look with a white pleated skirt and pumps, foregoing the matching accessories her mother-in-law wore.
For a 1995 trip to Liverpool, Diana wore an orange Versace skirt suit with a black polo neck, belt, purse, and opaques.
Sixteen years later, Kate chose a very similar ensemble — but in red and by Luisa Spagnoli — for a trip to her former university, St. Andrews.
For the iconic moment in 1982 when Diana left St. Mary's Hospital with Prince William, she wore green and white spots from Catherine Walker.
No one missed the similarities when Kate emerged from the same hospital 21 years later with Prince George, wearing blue and white spots from Jenny Packham.
In 1987, Diana channeled military chic in a white and gold two-piece by her favorite designer Catherine Walker.
In 2014, Kate opted for a modern take on the look in a navy and cream blouse and skirt by her favorite designer Alexander McQueen.
On June 15, 1988, Princess Diana wowed in a Victor Edelstein white dress with black polka dots to added the Royal Ascot.
35 years later, Kate Middleton took a style cue from Princess Diana on June 19, 2023, wearing an Alessandra Rich white dress with black polka dots and a Phillip Treacy hat to The Order of The Garter Service at Windsor Castle.
Lady Diana's first public engagement after getting engaged was a charity event, for which she chose a black strapless evening gown that nipped in at the waist. It was the first time she had worn anything by designers the Emanuels, who went on to create her wedding dress.
Shortly after her wedding, Kate attended the Sun Military Awards in a similar formfitting, strapless black floor-length gown by Alexander McQueen.
For a gala at the Cannes Film Festival in 1987, Diana turned to her favorite designer Catherine Walker, who created this floaty powder-blue number.
At another overseas movie-related event 14 years later — a BAFTA gala in LA — Kate opted for a diaphanous gown in palest lilac by her favorite designer Alexander McQueen.
For a 1995 trip to Argentina, Diana channeled Jackie O in a pastel pink Versace skirt suit.
For her 2016 trip to the Netherlands, Kate channeled Jackie O in a pastel blue skirt suit by Diana's favorite Catherine Walker.
For a trip to Pakistan in 1996, Diana teamed her white head scarf with a porcelain-blue Catherine Walker outfit.
Kate chose a similar shade by Beulah to wear with her head scarf on a trip to Malaysia in 2012.
The red and lilac tartan outfit that Diana wore to the 1982 Braemar Games was designed by Caroline Charles.
Although Kate's colors were different in the McQueen number that she wore on Christmas Day in 2013, there were similarities between the long-sleeved wintry two-pieces.
Just after getting married, Diana chose a neutral palette for her Caroline Charles coat and the plumes on her John Boyd hat for a trip to Wales.
Kate favored a similar palette for her Day Birger et Mikkelsen coat and feathery fascinator at the wedding of Laura Parker-Bowles in 2006.
For her engagement announcement in 1981, Diana wore a blue Cojana skirt suit to complement her new sapphire engagement ring.
Twenty-nine years later, Kate chose to show off Diana's sapphire with a blue silk jersey dress from Issa.
At the family's annual Christmas Day church outing in 1993, Diana accessorized her scarlet coat with a black asymmetric hat with a high crown.
For William's passing out ceremony at Sandhurst in 2006, Kate teamed her red Armani coat with a very similar hat by Philip Treacy.
During her pregnancy with Prince Harry, Diana wore a layered peach outfit by Jan Van Velden at Ascot in 1984.
When Kate was pregnant with Prince George, she wore layered peach Tara Jarmon for a charity engagement in 2013.
Diana wore Victor Edelstein white with black spots at the polo in 1987.
Kate chose Topshop white with black spots for a trip to the Harry Potter Warner Bros. Studio Tour in London back in 2013.
During a tour of Australia in 1983, Diana wore a yellow silk tea dress by Jan Van Velden.
During a tour of Canada in 2011, Kate chose a yellow silk tea dress by Jenny Packham.
For a charity event in Paris in 1988, Diana wore a big, bold, shiny, floor-sweeping gown by Catherine Walker.
For a charity gala in London in 2015, Kate wore a big, bold, shiny, floor-sweeping gown by Erdem.
Princess Diana arrived at a Toronto airport in October of 1991 wearing a houndstooth-print Moschino suit with a red-and-black hat from Philip Somerville.
In 2023, Kate Middleton echoed her mother-in-law's look with a red houndstooth jacket worn with black separates while attending the Wales vs. England Six Nations Match.