When the Princess of Wales parted ways with long-time aide Natasha Archer, royal watchers were primed for a change of style.
Not just in the management of her diary – but her wardrobe. Archer, 38, was Kate’s senior private executive assistant between 2010 and last year.
She became a trusted confidante and, while her role as Kate’s ‘stylist’ was never confirmed, unofficially she very much had a hand in shaping her clothing choices.
Fashion commentators often described the two women as going on a ‘style journey’ together, with Archer’s own fondness for neat shift dresses, Breton shirts and pussy bow blouses frequently finding echoes in the Princess’s wardrobe.
Since Archer left, however, a new and more distant echo has emerged.
Fashion observers have noticed that Kate has been taking style cues from the former Princess of Wales, whose untimely death nearly 29 years ago has done little to dilute her seismic influence.
Diana transformed royal fashion, blending elegance with accessibility, even if she didn’t reach for high street labels as frequently as Kate.
She popularised power dressing, sleek tailoring and bold eveningwear, influencing designers and fans across the globe.
Fashion observers have noticed that Kate has been taking style cues from the former Princess of Wales, whose untimely death nearly 29 years ago has done little to dilute her seismic influence
The latest fan of Diana’s style appears to be Kate’s new ‘secret stylist’. But given that Natasha Archer’s role was never confirmed, it’s unlikely her replacement will ever be named either.
After Kensington Palace let it be known in January that the Princess was keen for her clothes not to overshadow her humanitarian work, it would be particularly off-message for Kate to confess to using the services of a stylist even if she does – but which she surely must.
However confident they are in their fashion choices, no woman in the public eye can manage the minutiae of their wardrobe without some sort of help.
Dressing for public office is a full-time job, particularly as a senior royal, when every outfit must be checked for provenance as well as practicality.
But so frequently has Kate paid tribute to Diana’s style in recent months that it’s unlikely to be coincidence.
And while imitation may be the sincerest form of flattery, Kate still manages to make every look her own.
PERFECT PASTEL
Diana wore a duck egg blue coat dress, by one of her most trusted designers, Catherine Walker, to attend an Easter service at St George’s Chapel in Windsor Castle in 1987.
At Trooping the Colour last weekend, Kate wore a strikingly similar coat, also by Catherine Walker.
She accessorised with a similar wide-brimmed Philip Treacy hat and comparable white pumps by Gianvito Rossi.
RUFFLED UP
In May 1986, Diana – pictured at a gala evening in Vancouver, Canada – wore a black trouser suit and white ruffled blouse which is almost identical to the McQueen trouser suit and Knatchbull blouse worn by Kate in September 2025
In May 1986, Diana – pictured at a gala evening in Vancouver, Canada – wore a black trouser suit and white ruffled blouse which is almost identical to the McQueen trouser suit and Knatchbull blouse worn by Kate in September 2025.
Only the trousers differ significantly: Diana’s balloon-shaped pair, worn loose on the thigh and with a buttoned ankle cuff, are an 1980s-style trope too far for the 2020s.
PLEATS PLEASE
Diana’s calf-length cream Catherine Walker skirt in September 1989 is near-identical to the near-identical skirt, by Jenni Kayne, she wore last month
Diana is pictured in a two-tone beige and cream jacket with gold buttons, worn with a calf-length cream Catherine Walker skirt in September 1989.
Pictured in Reggio Emilia, Italy, last month, Kate is seen wearing a near-identical skirt, by Jenni Kayne.
Her beige blazer, by Blaze Milano, is similar in hue, but different in style, though her Milano belt echoes the cinched waist effect of Diana’s outfit.
STATEMENT COLLARS
The late Princess frequently wore ruffled, pie crust and Peter Pan collars. Fast-forward to November 2025 and Kate’s black and white Alessandra Rich dress gives rise to some serious deja vu
If there’s one style that Diana is remembered for it’s a statement collar.
The late Princess frequently wore ruffled, pie crust and Peter Pan collars, as evidenced by the bold lace iteration on her Gina Frattini dress, worn in June 1981.
Fast-forward to November 2025 and Kate’s black and white Alessandra Rich dress gives rise to some serious deja vu.
CARAMEL TONES
Diana strongly favoured skirts over trousers, so this beige linen suit, worn in June 1997, is something of a departure. By contrast, Kate reaches for suits more often, wearing this beige Roland Mouret iteration in May
Diana strongly favoured skirts over trousers, so this beige linen suit, worn in June 1997, is something of a departure.
By contrast, Kate reaches for suits more often, wearing this beige Roland Mouret iteration in May.
Like Diana, she teams hers with brown pumps but paired with a pussy bow blouse rather than the black camisole worn by Diana.
RED ALERT
Jasper Conran was one of Diana’s favourite designers, particularly for softer looks such as this red and white polka dot dress, worn in 1988. This month, Kate paid homage in a red and white polka dot dress by Rodarte
Jasper Conran was one of Diana’s favourite designers, particularly for softer looks such as this red and white polka dot dress, worn in 1988, whose cut and detailing were typical of the decade.
This month, Kate paid homage in a red and white polka dot dress by Rodarte. Like Diana, she accessorised with a red clutch and matching red pumps.
CHECK OUT THE CHECK
Diana was fond of a Prince of Wales check and is pictured leaving a lunch wearing a chic double-breasted suit in March 1997, worn with a black top-handle bag. Kate’s check suit by Bella Freud, worn in October 2025, is reminiscent of Diana’s
Diana was fond of a Prince of Wales check and is pictured leaving a lunch wearing a chic double-breasted suit in March 1997, worn with a black top-handle bag.
While Kate rarely carries a large handbag, her Prince of Wales check suit by Bella Freud, worn in October 2025, is reminiscent of Diana’s.
Since her stylist Natasha Archer resigned, Kate has worn the check, a nod to William’s title, on at least four occasions.
