It’s been a quarter of a century since Princess Diana was hailed “the people’s princess” following her tragic death. And while Diana’s charitable ways and selflessness inspired many fans throughout the years, there is one person in particular who she seemed to have an immense impact on - her future daughter-in-law, Kate Middleton. Both Diana and the now Duchess of Cambridge captured the hearts of the nation, but this isn’t where the similarities end, as royal followers and experts alike have been drawing comparisons between the two for years.
Both ‘commoners’
Although Diana was raised by a noble family, she was hailed a ‘commoner’ by royal standards. Prior to her marriage to Prince Charles in 1981, she even had ‘normal’ jobs, working as a dance instructor, nanny and nursery assistant. Kate, meanwhile, came from even humbler beginnings, as her parents Carole and Michael worked as a flight attendant and flight dispatcher respectively before founding their party supply company. Their daughter graduated from St Andrew’s – where she met William – and went on to become an accessory buyer for a clothing store.
Fashion icons
We're regularly admiring Kate's fashionable outfits and it's one of the most noticeable parallels between her and Diana, which made both royals fashion icons in their own right. According to a source close to the duchess, this is no coincidence. “Kate admired Diana’s taste in fashion before William came into her life,” they revealed. “During her school days, she’d tell friends that Diana was her style icon.”
Following the birth of her youngest son Louis in 2018, the duchess stood on the famous steps outside the Lindon Wing in a Jenny Packham red dress that looked just like the one worn by Diana outside the very same hospital with Prince Harry in 1984.
Kindness and charity work
The duchesses has always had a caring and charitable personality just like Diana’s. The princess broke boundaries with her charity work, highlighting how the royal family, who were previously known for their stuffiness, could be in touch with the public. It is this philanthropic trait that is evidentially also possessed by Kate. The duchess devotes her time to supporting numerous charitable causes, with a particular emphasis on early years support and children’s mental health. She helped launch the Heads Together campaign in 2016 to tackle mental health stigma, and last year, laid flowers at the Clapham Common bandstand to pay tribute to Sarah Everard, who was murdered while walking home one night. These selfless acts, among many others, have gained praise from the nation.
Hands-on mum
Kate is praised for being a hands-on mum, often posting pictures online of their adventures out and about and keeping unruly toddlers in line when needed, just like Diana did. Her former chef Darren McGrady says, “The princess always wanted the boys to be more ‘normal’ by letting them experience things as royal children and then just ordinary children. You definitely see that with William and Kate now. They also, like the princess, allow their children to be children. You see them eating cookies, you see them even making cookies.”
Although Diana’s death meant the pair were never able to meet, the parallels reign strong. From their stylish outfits to their charitable ways, both royals have captured the nation’s hearts in a way that will live on for many generations to come.