At the naming ceremony for HMS Glasgow on Thursday, May 22, Kate Middleton struck a nautical note in a navy piped dress that took a page right out of Princess Diana’s fashion playbook.
In a sophisticated coat dress with white trim by Suzannah London, the Princess of Wales drew inspiration from a blue-and-white Catherine Walker suit and hat that Diana wore in 1993 to attend a service in Liverpool, England, for the 50th anniversary of World War II’s Battle of the Atlantic.
Middleton, 43, accessorized with a similar wide-brimmed hat and neutral pumps, completing the perfect reflection of royal fashion history. The look echoed her late mother-in-law’s penchant for diplomatic dressing with thoughtfully selected clothing that pays tribute to the occasion at hand.
For example, both princesses have worn styles with a sense of purpose for royal tours abroad. Beginning as early as 2016, when Middleton traveled to Canada, the then-Duchess of Cambridge memorably donned a Preen by Thornton Bregazzi red dress with a maple leaf brooch.
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During a 2019 visit to a Lahore mosque, Middleton wore a shalwar kameez, a traditional Pakistani garment, which Diana also wore when she visited Lahore in 1991 and again in 1996.
Middleton’s latest ensemble conveyed the same sense of timeless elegance and respectful adherence to the occasion’s gravitas. By referencing Diana, she simultaneously honored her iconic style while subtly reinforcing the British monarchy’s continuity and enduring legacy.
Over the years, Middleton has consistently channeled Princess Diana’s graceful and strategic use of fashion to communicate. She often incorporates nods to Diana’s aesthetic, a testament to her sartorial adeptness at balancing modern royal duties with a profound respect for the past.
Just as Princess Diana understood the power of visual messaging, the current Princess of Wales continues to showcase her keen awareness of how her clothes can connect with the public and historical precedent. And that’s the definition of a wardrobe fit for a future queen.
