6 times Kate Middleton has referenced Princess Diana in fashion
It’s easy to view the royal wardrobe as a theatre of pageantry, with designer gowns, immaculate tailoring, symbolic brooches all carefully chosen to project control and poise. But for Catherine, Princess of Wales, clothing does more than communicate duty. It occasionally serves as a quiet echo of the woman who once held her title: Princess Diana. Though their personalities and sartorial preferences differ, the parallels between Kate’s wardrobe and Diana’s are, at times, too deliberate to ignore. This isn’t about imitation, but a subtle language of lineage, respect and resonance.
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Kate Middleton came into the royal fold during a time of heightened scrutiny and softened reverence. She was neither an aristocrat nor an outsider in the way Diana had been, but the comparisons were inevitable and relentless. While she’s spent over a decade forging her own path within the institution, Kate has also, with careful restraint, woven Diana’s legacy into her public image. She does this not by recreating iconic looks wholesale, but by selecting elements—cuts, colours, accessories, fabrics—that quietly nod to the late Princess of Wales without lapsing into costume or cliché. Here are 6 memorable fashion moments from Kate Middleton.
Trooping the Colour 2025 (sky blue coat dress)
For the 2025 Trooping the Colour ceremony, Kate Middleton chose a stunning aquamarine and ivory “Bria” coat dress by Catherine Walker, a designer heavily favored by Diana. This elegant garment featured prominent, contrasting ivory detailing on the lapels and cuffs, creating a structured and sophisticated silhouette. The immediate comparison was drawn to a strikingly similar green and white Catherine Walker coat dress that Princess Diana famously wore to the same Trooping the Colour event in 1988, which also featured distinct white lapels and cuffs, making the parallel in style and designer choice unmistakable. Diana had further cemented this as a signature look with a similar turquoise and white Catherine Walker suit during a royal visit to New Delhi in 1992.
Christening of HMS Glasgow (nautical navy and white outfit with Diana's earrings)
In May 2025, during the significant occasion of christening the Royal Navy ship HMS Glasgow, Kate Middleton opted for a sophisticated navy and white Suzannah London coat dress, which featured crisp, ivory trim details that evoked a classic nautical aesthetic. This choice strongly recalled a similar blue and white Catherine Walker ensemble that Princess Diana wore in May 1993 for a Battle of the Atlantic service, both outfits sharing a tailored silhouette and fitting color combination for a naval event. However, the most direct and poignant tribute came through Kate's accessories, as she chose to wear Princess Diana's iconic cabochon sapphire drop earrings, a personal favorite of Diana's that were part of a larger sapphire and diamond parure, making the homage unmistakable.
80th Anniversary of VE Day (black and white polka dot dress)
For a service commemorating the 80th anniversary of VE Day in May 2025, Kate Middleton re-wore a white dress adorned with black polka dots by designer Alessandra Rich, a piece that has become one of her go-to choices for elegant, formal occasions. This specific polka dot pattern and color scheme has emerged as one of the most recognisable Diana-inspired looks worn by Kate, as Princess Diana was famously fond of polka dots throughout her public life. The direct comparisons were made to a white dress with black polka dots that Princess Diana wore to Royal Ascot in 1988, and it was also reminiscent of a similar white polka-dot ensemble Diana sported at the Epsom Races around 1986, with the playful yet classic nature of the polka dot print, paired with a fitted silhouette, perfectly echoing Diana's sophisticated yet approachable style.
Vibrant red Catherine Walker coats
Kate Middleton has demonstrated a clear preference for vibrant red coats, again often from Catherine Walker, for various engagements, a choice that distinctly echoes Princess Diana's own love for bold red outerwear. One notable instance is Kate's fitted red coat, which she has worn for events like the engagements during her 2021 tour to Copenhagen. This directly mirrors numerous occasions where Princess Diana donned striking red coats, such as a memorable red Catherine Walker coat she wore to visit a hospital in November 1989, or her red coat worn during a trip to Kuwait in 1989. Both women utilized the powerful and impactful nature of a strong red coat to make a statement, often choosing tailored, classic silhouettes that exuded confidence and warmth.
“Sloane Ranger” look
Kate has frequently channeled a more casual, yet impeccably put-together, “Sloane Ranger” aesthetic, as exemplified when she wore a stylish Smythe blazer paired with chic ankle boots during a visit to PACT (Parents and Children Together), a mental health charity, showcasing a relaxed yet polished side of her wardrobe. This style is directly reminiscent of Princess Diana's fashion during her early years where she often sported smart blazers, frequently tweed or tailored, paired with casual trousers or skirts and comfortable, stylish footwear like riding boots or elegant flats. A specific example is Diana's classic outfit during a 1985 visit to a children's hospital, where she wore a similar blazer and a more relaxed silhouette, demonstrating Kate's adoption of Diana's approach to smart-casual dressing, often incorporating classic British brands.
Red and White houndstooth coat dress
Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, wears a red and white houndstooth coat dress during the second day of their royal visit to Sweden and Norway in 2018 (Photo: Chris Jackson/Getty Images)
Kate Middleton has repeatedly worn a striking red and white Catherine Walker houndstooth coat dress, first notably during a tour of Scandinavia in 2018, which stands as a classic example of the sophisticated coat dress style she frequently favors. This particular design subtly yet effectively channeled Princess Diana's style, as Diana wore a remarkably similar red and white houndstooth suit (often appearing as a coat dress) to Princess Eugenie's Sandringham christening in December 1990. The houndstooth pattern itself was a known favorite of Diana's, and she wore variations of it throughout her public life, with Kate's choice of a coat dress in this specific pattern and color scheme demonstrating an appreciation for Diana's elegant and often bold use of classic prints.
Kate Middleton’s fashion nods to Princess Diana are rarely overt, but they are deliberate. Each choice walks a fine line between tribute and evolution, acknowledging the past without being bound by it. It’s not about replication—it’s about resonance.
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