London Daily

Focus on the big picture.
Sunday, Nov 01, 2026

14 times Kate Middleton took her fashion cues from Princess Diana's rulebook

14 times Kate Middleton took her fashion cues from Princess Diana's rulebook

The Duchess of Cambridge shares very similar tastes with her late mother-in-law.

She's one of the most sartorially influential people in the world right now, but while we all look to the Duchess of Cambridge to provide endless fashion inspiration have you ever stopped to wonder who she, herself, takes style tips from?

Of course, she has a smorgasbord of designers, stylists and assistants on-hand to give their opinions and help tweak, but several fashion fans have picked up on a number of similarities between some of Kate Middleton's most-loved looks and those of another undeniable royal style icon.

Despite having tragically never met, it appears that the Duchess of Cambridge - whether consciously or subconsciously - in fact takes a number of her style cues from her late mother-in-law, Princess Diana.

By no means full-blown 'replicas', many of Kate's looks bear a subtle yet undeniable resemblance to many of Diana's most popular outfits via subtle design details and colour combinations.

Undoubtedly confident in her own taste when it comes to matters of the wardrobe, it could of course be the case that any likeness between the two style icons' looks is merely a coincidence. For those who study the Duchess's every sartorial move, however, and who notice her frequent tasteful nods to her late mother-in-law, it seems increasingly likely that brief moments of similarity is a very deliberate, subtle nod to Diana.

But while the two women share a love for a similar overall aesthetic, Kate favours designers such as Alexander McQueen, Self-Portrait and Goat while Diana leaned more towards the likes of Victor Edelstein, Murray Arbeid and Emanuel Couture.

From red, calf-length overcoats worn atop black boots, turtlenecks and gloves, to ladylike lilac looks, bold green and navy checks, and even the exact same 'Cambridge Lovers Knot' tiara loved dearly by them both, we've rounded up fourteen of our favourite 'twinning' moments from the Duchess of Cambridge and Princess Diana...


1. THE RED COAT OVER BLACK LAYERS
Princess Diana: 1993, A Christmas Day church service in Sandringham

The Duchess of Cambridge: 2020, A visit to Cleve Court Care Home



2. THE WHITE WITH BLACK PIPING

Princess Diana: 1995, At Vj Day commemorative events
The Duchess of Cambridge: 2019, Wearing Catherine Walker at the Order of the Garter service



3. THE DOUBLE-BREASTED, DETAILED-COLLAR AND HAT

Princess Diana: 1993, At a Remembrance Day service in Northern Ireland
The Duchess of Cambridge: 2016, Wearing Diane von Furstenberg at the annual Remembrance Sunday Service



4. THE LADYLIKE LILAC

Princess Diana: 1997, At the Red Cross Headquarters in Washington
The Duchess of Cambridge: 2017, Wearing Emilia Wickstead at the Hamburg Elbphilharmonie during an official overseas visit



5. THE RED SKI JACKET

Princess Diana: 1986, Skiing in Klosters, Switzerland
The Duchess of Cambridge: 2005, Skiing in Klosters, Switzerland



6. THE NAVY AND GREEN CHECK

Princess Diana: 1985, Wearing Emanuel Couture in Venice
The Duchess of Cambridge: 2012, During her visit to St Andrew's School



7. THE MATCHING PINK DRESS AND HAT

Princess Diana: 1983, Wearing a pink Donald Campbell suit at the Perth Hockey Stadium in Australia
The Duchess of Cambridge: 2017, Wearing Alexander McQueen for the Trooping the Colour Parade



8. THE 'CAMBRIDGE LOVERS KNOT' TIARA

Princess Diana: 1985, At a dinner in Washington hosted by the British Ambassador
The Duchess of Cambridge: 2016, At the annual Diplomatic Reception at Buckingham Palace



9. THE CHIFFON HEADSCARF

Princess Diana: 1996, During a visit to Pakistan
The Duchess of Cambridge: 2012, Wearing Beluah at Assyakirin Mosque in Kuala Lumpur



10. THE BLACK AND WHITE POLKA DOTS

Princess Diana: 1986, Wearing Victor Edelstein at the Epsom Derby
The Duchess of Cambridge: 2017, Wearing Dolce & Gabbana for the opening day of Wimbledon



11. THE ROYAL BLUE COAT

Princess Diana: 1990, Wearing Philip Somerville at the Sovereign's Parade
The Duchess of Cambridge: 2018, Wearing Goat to open the Action on Addiction Community Treatment Centre in Essex



12. THE WHITE LACE EVENING GOWN

Princess Diana: 1985, Wearing Murray Arbeid at a dinner in Washington hosted by the British Ambassador
The Duchess of Cambridge: 2016, Wearing Self-Portrait to the UK Premiere of 'A Street Cat Named Bob'



13. THE BLACK-BUTTONED PINK COAT

Princess Diana: 1989, At the Push 2 wheelchair race at the Marlborough Hotel
The Duchess of Cambridge: 2015, Wearing Mulberry during a visit to the Stephen Lawrence Centre



14. THE POWDER BLUE SUIT

Princess Diana: 1996, Visiting Cook County Hospital, Chicago
The Duchess of Cambridge: 2016, wearing Catherine Walker to visit the Mauritshuis in The Hague, Netherlands

Newsletter

Related Articles

0:00
0:00
Close
Home Office Expands Border Security Operations and Intelligence Sharing With European Partners
Office for National Statistics Reports Modest Retail Sales Growth Ahead of Crucial Christmas Trading Season
Welsh Government Unveils Strategic Plan to Boost Regional Technology Innovation and Digital Skills Training
Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs Implements New Agricultural Subsidies Framework for English Farmers
Scottish First Minister John Swinney Announces Major Regional Infrastructure and Green Energy Investment Strategy
National Health Service Leaders Warn of Severe Winter Pressures and Mounting Accident and Emergency Backlogs
Bank of England Monetary Policy Committee Signals Cautious Interest Rate Path Amid Persistent Services Inflation
Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves Finalizes Autumn Budget Framework Aiming to Close Public Sector Fiscal Gap
Department for Science, Innovation and Technology Prepares Enhanced Artificial Intelligence Safety and Cyber Defense Frameworks
United Kingdom Government Expands International Sanctions Framework Against Russian Shadow Fleet and Financial Enablers
Institute of Directors Reports Sharp Post-Budget Drop in Business Confidence Despite Long-Term Investment Intention Shifts
Chancellor John Healey Defends Sweeping Fiscal Adjustments and Household Support Packages Following Autumn Budget
Parliamentary Petitions Committee Schedules Major Legislative Debates on Special Educational Needs and Non-Stun Meat Labelling
Regional Devolution and Good Growth Fund Frameworks Reshape Local Government Funding Across English Regions
Loughborough University Economic Analysts Highlight Substantial Uncertainty Surrounding Public Sector Efficiency Savings
British Legal Sector Drives Sixty Billion Pounds in Annual Economic Output While Employing Over Half a Million Professionals
Law Society Welcomes New Better Regulation Executive While Pressing for Long-Term Legal Aid Funding Reform
Metropolitan Police and Security Services Heighten Operations Across London Ahead of Large-Scale Public Demonstrations
Bank of England Economists Scrutinize Corporate Tax Adjustments and Public Sector Borrowing Pressures
Chancellor John Healey Defends Autumn Budget Tax and Spending Allocations Following Intense Parliamentary Scrutiny
Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Implements Strict Water Quality Monitoring Rules Following Severe Rainfall and Flooding
Welsh Government Unveils Comprehensive Regional Housing Strategy to Address Rural Affordability and Homelessness Pressures in Cardiff
Office for National Statistics Reports Slowing Consumer Price Inflation and Steady Retail Performance Across United Kingdom Markets
Northern Ireland First Minister Michelle O'Neill and Deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly Advance Cross-Border Infrastructure Agreement in Belfast
Competition and Markets Authority Launches Formal Investigation Into Artificial Intelligence Partnerships Involving Major Technology Corporations
Scottish First Minister John Swinney Secures Cross-Party Support for Devolved Budget Framework and Renewable Energy Expansion
High Court Rules in Favor of Environmental Campaigners Over Department for Energy Security and Net Zero Licensing Procedures
National Health Service England Announces Major Digital Modernization and Artificial Intelligence Diagnostic Rollout Across Regional Trusts
Bank of England Monetary Policy Committee Signals Cautious Approach to Interest Rate Cuts Amid Persistent Wage Growth and Inflation Pressures
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Chancellor Rachel Reeves Outline Strategic Infrastructure Plans to Boost Regional Growth and Private Investment
Water pollution remains high despite £5bn investment
Regional Economic Divergence and Industrial Transformation
Technological Sovereignty and Regulatory Scrutiny
Fiscal Consolidation and Public Service Pressures
Automotive Industry Leadership Warns of Imminent Supply Chain Disruptions Following Recent European Trade Negotiations
High Court Delivers Landmark Ruling Affirming Strict Legal Protections for Corporate Data Privacy Against State Surveillance
Welsh First Minister Eluned Morgan Secures Additional Funding for Regional Transport Infrastructure and Rail Modernization
Scottish First Minister John Swinney Announces Major Green Energy Infrastructure Investment Package for Aberdeen
Department for Work and Pensions Proposes Sweeping Welfare Reforms to Incentivize Long-Term Unemployed Back into Work
Competition and Markets Authority Launches Formal Investigation into Artificial Intelligence Partnerships Involving Major Tech Giants
United Kingdom Foreign Secretary David Lammy Concludes High-Level Strategic Talks in Washington on Middle East Security
National Health Service England Unveils Emergency Winter Resilience Plan to Combat Projected Surge in Emergency Admissions
Bank of England Governor Andrew Bailey Signals Cautious Approach to Interest Rate Cuts Amid Persistent Inflation
British Chancellor Rachel Reeves Finalizes Corporate Tax Overhaul Ahead of Autumn Budget to Fund Public Services
Automotive Manufacturers Urge Government Action as High Energy Costs and Global Supply Chain Disruptions Threaten Production
Metropolitan Police Issue Formal Apology Following Inadvertent Release of Confidential Information During High-Profile Investigation
Scottish Finance Secretary Shona Robison Unveils Devolved Budget Highlighting Housing and Public Service Adjustments
Energy Regulator Office of Gas and Electricity Markets Prepares to Remove Household Gas Standing Charges Following Treasury Mandate
Treasury Confirms Reversal of Planned Cash Individual Savings Account Allowance Reduction Protecting Twenty Thousand Pound Limit
Office for Budget Responsibility Revisions Predict Moderate United Kingdom Economic Growth with Elevated Inflation Pressures
×