Inspired by red carpet royalty? How ‘Style Sister’ Kate has turned into a doppelganger of… Angelina Jolie!
With her outfits vanishing from the high street the moment she appears in public, it is clear the Princess of Wales has an army of ‘Copy-Kates’.
But some are starting to ask if the royal trend-setter has her own secret source of inspiration – in the shape of Hollywood royalty.
It was in 2011 that Kate turned all red-carpet with an eye-catching asymmetric silver gown from Jenny Packham, a style spotted on Angelina Jolie earlier that same year.
Since then, Kate has been something of a ‘style sister’ on numerous occasions – or even a mirror image.
Not that Kate – who turns 42 on Tuesday – is alone in this. Meghan, Duchess of Sussex has also chosen outfits which seem to have an Angelina touch.
With so much royal imitation, who wouldn’t feel flattered?
Winter Whites
Kate and Angelina dazzled in sleek white ensembles showing how similar their fashion tastes are
Kate Middleton dazzled in a sleek white ensemble at her annual Together at Christmas carol concert last month
She was wrapped up in a bespoke white coat by Savile Row tailor Chris Kerr layered over a Kiltane cashmere crew neck sweater and Holland Cooper high waisted trousers.
Blink and you may have been mistaken that it was Angelina Jolie in the head-to-toe white she wore in 2017 for an evening out in New York.
Angelina’s plunging trench coat was by Elisabetta Franchi and accessorised with Christian Louboutin pumps very similar to Kate’s Gianvito Rossi heels.
One-Shoulder Wonders
Kate and Angelina both dazzled in Jenny Packham one-shoulder gowns
It was a style snap when Kate and Angelina both chose the same Jenny Packham one shoulder gown just a few months apart.
The Princess of Wales wowed Hollywood style in a silver asymmetric frock at a charity evening in November 2011, pairing it with Jimmy Choo heels.
There were double-takes all round as a version of the silk showstopper had been seen a few months earlier when Hollywood actress Angelina wore the red version with a silk tie waist to a film premiere in Los Angeles.
Black Velvet Evening Gowns
Both women made a statement in luxe black velvet gowns with the same off-the-shoulder silhouette with sweeping trains
The red carpet is often awash with shimmering sparkles and vibrant shades, but style sisters Kate and Angelina both made a statement in luxe black velvet gowns.
In 2011 The Princess of Wales attended the Military Awards in a mermaid skirt strapless Alexander McQueen design, followed by Jolie in 2018 who also chose the same off-the-shoulder silhouette with sweeping train, in a black velvet frock by British couturiers Ralph and Russo.
Both looks were accessorised with dazzling diamonds, Kate’s by Mouawad and Angelina’s by Graff.
Cool in Camel
Both women look great in camel coloured tailored trouser suits and look dressed for business
Kate has recently added tailoring to her workwear uniform, a style which has been present in Angelina’s wardrobe for a number of years.
In August 2023 Jolie stepped out in New York in a chic camel suit with wide leg trousers and a Celine leather tote.
The look was echoed by Kate just a month later in London when she wore a Roland Mouret trouser suit which was strikingly similar.
From the flared trousers to neat camisole tops and bouncy brunette locks, the pair were a mirror image.
Golden Goddesses
Kate and Angelina had a magical take on film premiere red carpet, dazzling in gold- embellished gowns with sweeping cape sleeves
The style icons both dazzled for film openings in golden embellished gowns with sweeping cape sleeves.
For Jolie it was a bespoke Ralph and Russo jewel encrusted masterpiece for the launch of Maleficent in 2019, while the Princess of Wales dressed for James Bond in 2021 in an equally plunging Jenny Packham gown which gathered at the torso and featured the same structured shoulders before cascading into a glittering train of tulle.
They shared the same memo when it came to the hair and jewels, both choosing statement earrings and elegant updos.
Daytime Formal
Kate and Angelina stunned in formal ensembles with cowl necklines which skimmed their silhouettes and nipped in at the waist
Both in shades of dove grey, Kate and Angelina stunned in formal ensembles with cowl necklines which skimmed their silhouettes and nipped in at the waist.
First was Kate in Roksanda Ilincic during a reception at the Royal Academy of Arts in 2012, followed by Angelina in Ralph and Russo for a royal ceremony in 2018.
Looking elegant as ever, the finishing touch for the pair was a neat, swept back chignon.
Cape Sleeves
Angelina and the Princess of Wales are tall and this style shows off their slim figures perfectly
Dramatic caped sleeves stole the spotlight for the brunette beauties when they chose evening gowns with the same structured shoulders and long sleeves with splits.
Elegant and understated for the launch of Eternal in 2021, Angelina chose a black Ralph Lauren one shoulder design, while Kate turned to Safiyaa for her teal gown with two cape sleeves at the Royal Variety Performance in 2023.
Bouncy waves complemented the dramatic sleeves and simple silhouettes for the style sisters.
Crossover Evening Gowns
This time both women were actually wearing Jenny Packham in very similar styles
Once again Angelina and Kate shared the same style DNA on the red carpet, this time in Jenny Packham silvery grey cross-over gowns.
Kate went first in the 2015 Spectre premiere in a chiffon version of the draped-front dress while Angelina chose a silk material for her dress at the Hollywood Film Awards in 2017.
Modest Dressing
Both women have mastered the art of stylish yet modest dressing
Covered up couture linked Jolie and Middleton when they both dressed glamorously in high neck gowns with blouson sleeves in nude tones of tan and blush pink.
Modestly styled in an Elie Saab embroidered couture design for Crown Prince Hussein and Rajwa Al-Saif’s Wedding in 2023, Kate accessorised the look with Prada heels and a Wilbur and Gussie clutch.
Angelina also chose to wear a Lebanese designer for the Variety’s Power of Women gala in 2021, this time Harithand, although the gown had a similar covered-up design and was also styled with the same sleek waved hair as Kate.
Kate is not the only Angelina look-alike…
Cape Dresses
Angelina wore this Ralph and Russo caped creation in 2014 with Meghan choosing an almost identical version in 2018
When the Queen and Meghan embarked on their first solo engagement less than a month after she married Prince Harry, the Duchess of Sussex stepped off the train in a cream bespoke Givenchy creation which featured a neat cape over her shoulders.
A few years earlier, Angelina had worn an almost identical white gown by Ralph and Russo to the premiere of Unbroken in 2014 with the same cape detail across the shoulders, as well as a similar hem length.
Tailored Suiting
Angelina mirrored Meghan with a black tuxedo suit when she was in New York last year
Meghan and Angelina mirrored each other in slick black tuxedo suits layered over silk camisoles.
Markle first chose the tailoring in 2018 at the Wellchild awards when she wore an Altuzarra wide leg two piece and black blouse from Swedish brand Deitas. Anglina chose chose a Saint Laurent version of the chic suit last year.
Black Wrap Coats
Both women seem to favour wearing black as seen with their black wrap coats
In January 2018 Meghan made her first official visit to Wales in head to toe black, wearing a Stella McCartney tie waist coat.
That same year, Angelina was seen at the British Film Institute wrapped up in a similar coat by Ralph and Russo layered over a cream dress by the same designers.
A neat belted waistband added structure to the look in both cases.
Sheer Delights
Both women showing that a black dress can make an impact on the red carpet
Showing that a black dress can make an impact on the red carpet, Jolie and Markle both made a statement in monochrome gowns with a sheer panel across the decolletage.
First came Angelina at the 2018 Golden Globes, when her Versace gown with feather detail and chiffon sleeves had just the right level of drama and glamour.
Meghan seemed to echo the look at the Lion King premiere in 2019 when she chose a Jason Wu frock with a demure see-through panel and sleeves.