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Every time Kate Middleton dressed like Princess Diana

Including the look Kate wore the day before her wedding to Prince William 😍

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kate middleton princess diana
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As two of the most stylish royal women in history it follows that Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge (AKA Kate Middleton) and Princess Diana have sported similar outfits. What's particularly eerie, though, is just how similar some of their most iconic looks are.

As Kate's predecessor, Diana helped forged the way for fashion-forward royalty. While their wardrobe staples may differ - Diana had an affinity for tailored skirt suits whereas Kate prefers minimalist coat dresses - there's no denying that the Duchess still looks to her mother-in-law for sartorial inspiration (just like Meghan Markle).

Scroll down to see the very best times Kate Middleton dressed like Princess Diana.

1. Kate Middleton and Princess Diana outfits

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Remember what we said about Diana's love of the skirt suit? Well, this electric blue ensemble, complete with shoulder pads, gold buttons, pleated skirt and matching pumps is a case in point.

Kate Middleton and Princess Diana outfits

kate middleton princess diana
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Aaand here's Kate wearing a 2021 spin on the look for the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge's recent visit to Prestonpans. Here, Kate steps out in a shorter blazer, subtle two-toned midi skirt and accessorises the look with brown suede heels and a matching clutch bag.

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2. Kate Middleton and Princess Diana outfits

kate middleton wears
princess diana wears
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First up is this stellar hot pink skirt suit with contrasting black buttons and a pocket square that Diana paired with matching pumps for a visit to Westminster in June 1990.

Kate Middleton and Princess Diana outfits

kate middleton wears
princess diana wears
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Here's Kate wearing an equally eye-catching raspberry coat dress in South London when she was pregnant with Princess Charlotte in March 2015.

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3. Kate Middleton and Princess Diana outfits

kate middleton wears
princess diana wears
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Diana wore a distinct navy and white polka dot dress with a Chelsea collar and bow detail for a photo call at Kensington Palace in October 1985.

Kate Middleton and Princess Diana outfits

kate middleton wears
princess diana wears
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Then, in May 2019, Kate donned an updated version of the dress featuring a higher collar and white cuffs at Bletchley Park. The resemblance is uncanny, no?

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4. Kate Middleton and Princess Diana outfits

kate middleton wears
princess diana wears
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Diana's monochrome look for 1995 Parade Of Veterans on V J Day is one of her most iconic for a reason - the Princess looks nothing less than flawless.

Kate Middleton and Princess Diana outfits

kate middleton wears
princess diana wears
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Kate debuted a coat dress version of her mother-in-law's outfit switching the hat for a fascinator at the Order of the Garter service in June 2019.

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5. Kate Middleton and Princess Diana outfits

kate middleton wears
princess diana wears
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Here's Diana on Christmas Day in 1993, wearing a stylish statement hat complete with a mesh veil and contrasting lipstick red coat.

Kate Middleton and Princess Diana outfits

kate middleton wears
princess diana wears
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Kate riffed off the look at the Sovereign'S Parade in 2006, wearing a lace trim undergarment and modernised bow on her hat.

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6. Kate Middleton and Princess Diana outfits

kate middleton wears
princess diana wears
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Ah yes, this is one of Di's most elegant skirt suits - a heavenly lavender combo worn for a visit to Washington in June 1997.

Kate Middleton and Princess Diana outfits

kate middleton wears
princess diana wears
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Kate was spotted wearing a near-identical coloured lavender dress at the Global Ministerial Mental Health Summit in October 2018, complete with a matching panel mimicking Di's belt.

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7. Kate Middleton and Princess Diana outfits

kate middleton wears
princess diana wears
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I'm SO here for Diana's grey blazer with black contrast detailing layered over a pussybow blouse, worn at Aberdeen Airport in October 1983. Honestly, what's not to love?

Kate Middleton and Princess Diana outfits

kate middleton wears
princess diana wears
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Here's Kate donning a very similar blazer 35 years later, layered over a black turtleneck jumper at Basildon Sporting Village in October 2018.

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8. Kate Middleton and Princess Diana outfits

kate middleton wears
princess diana wears
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Diana wore this scarlet red skirt suit with padded '80s shoulders and snazzy gold buttons during a visit to RAF Wittering in October 1989.

Kate Middleton and Princess Diana outfits

kate middleton wears
princess diana wears
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Kate sported a similar style with a matching pill box hat for the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge's royal tour of Australia and New Zealand in April 2014.

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9. Kate Middleton and Princess Diana outfits

kate middleton wears
princess diana wears
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Diana looks like a character from a classic novel wearing this white pinstripe peplum look with a mega-chic hat at Royal Ascot in June 1986.

Kate Middleton and Princess Diana outfits

kate middleton wears
princess diana wears
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Kate brought the look into modern day, swapping the buttons and tapered skirt for a minimalist, more relaxed fit for the royals' trip to Poland in July 2017.

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10. Kate Middleton and Princess Diana outfits

kate middleton wears
princess diana wears
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Can we take a second to talk about how damn chic this floral midi dress situation is, worn by Diana outside Seville's Town Hall in May 1992?

Kate Middleton and Princess Diana outfits

Shoulder, Dress, One-piece garment, Pattern, Street fashion, People in nature, Day dress, Electric blue, Spring, Waist,

Ditto, with Kate's V-neck collar version, worn by the Duchess in Norfolk this June.

Headshot of Natasha Harding

Natasha Harding is the former Fashion Editor (Digital & Print) at Cosmopolitan & Women's Health UK. Working in fashion journalism for just under ten years, she’s covered over 30 international fashion weeks, hundreds of red carpets and religiously scours the runway every season to create the brand’s bi-annual trend report. Joining Cosmopolitan back in Australia, Natasha moved to London a few years ago and is now the resident expert for celebrity style and industry news, fashion features and e-commerce. Follow Natasha on Instagram  

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