18 Times Kate Middleton Perfectly Recreated Princess Diana’s Iconic Fashion

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Here's the thing: Princess Diana's looks perfectly embodied high fashion in the 1980s and 1990s, shoulder pads and all! She rocked polka dots, lace collars, and velvet aplenty, but as of 2020, those aren't exactly the motifs in fashion. But that isn't stopping Kate Middleton from rocking modernized versions that look (almost) exactly like Diana's, years later.

Like her late mother-in-law, Kate is never afraid to try something different with her iconic royal fashion, whether it be a sparkling gown or a polka-dotted look we know Diana would approve of! The Princess of Wales always arrives in style, and most recently, Kate made headlines for wearing a Catherine Walker & Co. red and white houndstooth jacket that looked almost exactly like the Moschino jacket Diana wore in 1991.

And that isn't the first time something like this has happened!

Ever since Kate became a royal, she's found ways to honor her late mother-in-law, whether it be wearing her jewelry or a look startlingly similar to one of her iconic 1990s threads.

Check out every time Kate perfectly recreated one of Diana's looks below!

A version of this article was originally published on Feb 2023.

During Kate's appearance at the 2023 Chelsea Flower Show, she turned heads in this pleated pink ME+EM shirtdress that instantly reminded everyone of the pleated Barbiecore look Princess Diana wore back in 1992.

Most recently, everyone was buzzing about Kate Middleton's red and white houndstooth jacket from Catherine Walker & Co. which she rewore to the Six Nations rugby match. Not only is it stylish, but it gave us deja vu because it looked almost exactly like the Moschino jacket Princess Diana wore on her official visit to Canada in 1991.

Just like her late mother-in-law, Kate also rocked some serious accessories. While Diana opted for a statement hat from Philip Somerville, Kate rocked Russell & Bromley Aquatalia leather boots, a white Mulberry Amberley Bag, and Mappin & Webb's Empress diamond earrings.

During Day Nine of the 2022 Wimbledon tennis championships, Kate Middleton rocked a polka-dotted Alessandra Rich dress (which she paired with Alessandra Rich's Fab slingback pumps and Finlay & Co Henrietta sunglasses), and we couldn't help but see double when we found pictures of Princess Diana wearing a similar, polka-dotted gown by Catherine Walker in 1989.

Kate Middleton replicated Princess Diana's royal blue suit look from 1992 almost exactly.

Back in May 24, 2021, during a visit to Scotland, Kate made everyone turn their heads when she stepped out in this almost identical suit made up of a cobalt Contrast Hem Pleated Skirt from Hope, Zara blazer, a brown MEtier crossbody, and necklaces from the brand Spells of Love.

Fans instantly adored Princess Diana's baby blue Catherine Walker suit and John Boyd hat ensemble that she wore in 1983, and couldn't help but notice the startling resemblance between that and Kate Middleton's Royal Ascot outfit from 2019.

Not only is the color match superb in this lace, Elie Saab ensemble (and matching hat), but so were the accessories Kate paired it with. The Princess of Wales added her go-to Gianvito Rossi heels, Kiki Mcdonough blue topaz and diamond drop, and an Elie Saab clutch.

Back in Feb 1984, Princess Diana enchanted onlookers in a sparkling Jan van Velden gown. Fast-forward to 2020, Kate Middleton did the same with a cherry-colored Needle & Thread Aurora Ballerina dress for the reception to mark the UK-Africa Investment Summit.

Kate looked spellbinding in this sparkling look, which she paired with her go-to Gianvito Rossi heels and handmade Soru Ruby Earrings.

At London's Goldsmith's Hall in 1981, Diana turned heads in a shocking black ballgown, and nearly 30 years later, Kate Middleton did the exact same thing.

Kate took on her mother-in-law's love for velvet in this ruffled Alexander McQueen gown (and Jimmy Choo Cosmic pumps) at the Sun Military Awards in 2011.

Princess Diana made waves with this daring, Barbiecore-esque skirt suit back in June 1990. Then in 2015, Kate Middleton did the same with this hot pink Mulberry coat, and everyone instantly thought about her mother-in-law's iconic look. (She also paired it with a black Mulberry clutch, Kiki McDonough Classic Cushion Drop Earrings, and Cornelia James gloves!)

From the wide-brim hat to the black trench coats, Diana and Kate look like twins while in their Remembrance Day attire. (If this wasn't taken 25 years apart, we would really be losing it!)

One of the most iconic looks Princess Diana ever wore was this distinct navy and white polka-dotted dress back in 1985 (peep the chic Chelsea collar!) Then, in May 2019, Kate donned a more modern version of it thanks to this Alessandra Rich gown (but still kept the pola-dots and collar!)

Back in 1986, Princess Diana rocked her go-to look of polka-dots, specifically wowing in a black and white polka-dotted dress by Victor Edelstein, along with a hat by Frederick Fox. For the 2022 Royal Ascot, Kate Middleton made headlines for wearing a startingly similar ensemble made up of a nearly-identical dress from Alessandra Rich, along with even wearing earrings from Diana.

Princess Diana was the definition of a sparkling goddess when she stepped out in this green Catherine Walker gown for the premiere of the 1990 film The Hunt For Red October.

Then on Nov 18, 2021, everyone thought the same when they saw Kate Middleton in this modernized, sparkling green gown from Jenny Packham! (And in case you’re wondering, she also wore Zenyu Chandelier Hoop Earrings and Emmy London Rebecca Greenery heels!)

Purple was such a good color on Princess Diana, and everyone agreed when they saw her in this dress while visiting the Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute. It's also clear that the same color looks amazing on Kate Middleton, especially when she sported it on an Emilia Wickstead dress back in 2017! (And yes, she sported her go-to Gianvito Rossi heels!)

While visiting Canada, Saint John, New Brunswick, Rothesay School in 1983, Princess Diana donned an all-pastel yellow look composed of a ruffled dress and matching hat. Fast-forward to 2022, and people were marveling at the similarities between Diana's look and Kate's updated version.

In 2022, for the National Service of Thanksgiving at St Paul's Cathedral, Kate donned an Emilia Wickstead Elta Coat Dress in the same color, along with, you guessed it, Gianvito Rossi 105 Pumps.

So, it's very rare to see a royal in a hot pink gown, but both Princess Diana and Kate Middleton have done it. During a visit to Florida, Diana donned a gorgeous, velvet evening gown by Catherine Walker that commanded all attention to her.

While Kate ditched the velvet look, she did keep the color and wow factor when she stepped out in this sparkling, hot-pink dress from The Vampire's Wife (and shoes from Jimmy Choo!) during a special reception hosted by the Governor General of Belize.

This one doesn't get talked about enough, because you can't deny Kate Middleton's Cinderella-esque ballgown from the Governor General's Reception was heavily inspired by Princess Diana's cool-toned, silk Donald Campbell gown from 1983.

For this event, Kate wore the Phillipa Lepley Vienna Crossover Gown in Blue, along with a matching Lulu Guinness Hayworth Clutch Bag, Van Cleef & Arpells Magic Alhambra Earrings, and Gianvito Rossi 105 pumps.

The similarities between these two pink looks from Diana nd Kate are startling, from the color to the buttons to the sleeves! Diana donned a relaxed, pink maternity gown while watching a polo match at Windsor, and for Kate's visit to Abaco's Memorial Wall, she donned a similar look composed of a RIXO Izzy Shirt Dress in Pink Marble Zebra and Castañer Carina Espadrille Wedges.

Back in 1987, Princess Diana wore a blue and green tartan suit dress with a lace collar at the Bute Highland Games, and then Kate later rocked a modernized green and blue tartan Alexander McQueen look 25 years later.

Here's the thing: Princess Diana's looks perfectly embodied high fashion in the 1980s and 1990s, shoulder pads and all! She rocked polka dots, lace collars, and velvet aplenty, but as of 2020, those aren't exactly the motifs in fashion. But that isn't stopping Kate Middleton from rocking modernized versions that look (almost) exactly like Diana's, […]