Kate Middleton’s Close Pal Got Married—and Nearly Copied Her Dress

We all like to think of Princess Diana as the queen of fashion — and she was — but Kate Middleton is certainly this generation's style icon. Whether she's accompanying her husband at a royal engagement, walking the red carpet, or just running errands, Kate Middleton is sure to turn heads with her stylish ensembles.  

Her fashion choices inspire not only designers but also thousands of copycats (or copyKates, if you will). Who among us hasn't wanted to dress like the Duchess of Cambridge? The memorable sapphire blue Issa dress she wore to announce her engagement and her stunning Alexander McQueen lace wedding dress are just a few of our favorite looks. 

Even the fashion community, which is known to sharply criticize women for the way they dress has nothing but wonderful things to say about the duchess. "Kate is a beautiful woman inside and out, and a very powerful ambassador for British fashion," said Natasha Rufus Isaacs and Lavinia Brennan, the founders of the UK-based fashion brand Beulah London. "Kate Middleton is elegant, sensual, timeless," American designer Donna Karan added.

And though we might never have Kate's wardrobe, we can certainly use as inspiration not only for the way we want to dress, but for the person we want to be. 

July 20, 2017

At the Clärchens Ballhaus, the last original dancehall in Berlin, Kate wore a multi-colored dress crafted by German designer Markus Lupfer. She accessorized with a silver chain belt, a nude clutch, and pearl earrings. Back on her feet were her scalloped Prada heels. 

July 20, 2017

In a rowing race against hubby William, Kate looked casual Breton T-shirt and skinny jeans. She was again spotted wearing her favorite white Superga sneakers — which are only $65.

July 20, 2017

During a visit to a traditional German market, Kate wore a bright yellow Jenny Packham dress. On her feet, she swapped her heels for a more sturdy wedge — the Monsoon 'Fleur' espadrilles — her favorite. 

July 19, 2017

At the Queen's Birthday Party at the British Ambassadorial Residence, the Duchess stunned in another Alexander McQueen creation. This time, a daring Kate took a fashion risk by wearing an eye-catching red off-the-shoulder dress. In our humble opinion, her risk totally paid off. 

July 19, 2017

Kate wore a beautiful Catherine Walker coat dress in Prussian blue, which was a nod to Germany — the country she was visiting. The rich blue color, also called cornflower blue, is a color that is traditionally associated with Germany, and we think it looks absolutely stunning on the Duchess.

July 18, 2017

Duchess Kate wore another one of her favorite designers during her royal trip to Poland. She and William visited Dlugi Targ market in Gdansk and Stutthof Nazi concentration camp wearing a floral Erdem skirt set and nude chunky heels. 

July 17, 2017

On her first day in Poland, Kate Middleton paid homage to city by wearing a dress designed by Polish designer Gosia Baczyńska to a belated birthday reception for Queen Elizabeth. 

July 17, 2017

The Duchess wore a peplum dress from Alexander McQueen, a favorite designer of hers, as she and her family arrived in Poland for the official visit. 

July 16, 2017

Kate watched friend Roger Federer win his record eighth Wimbledon title. An avid tennis lover, the Duchess wore a summer-appropriate Catherine Walker & Co floral dress. 

July 13, 2017

To celebrate the reopening of Hintze Hall at the Natural History Museum, Kate Middleton wore a simple, light-blue Preen by Thornton Bregazzi dress. Her strappy Prada heels and purple clutch were eye-catching details of a rather colorful look by the Duchess. 

June 29, 2017

Kate Middleton looked "Jackie O chic" in a tweed Gucci dress she wore to the opening of some new facilities at the Victoria & Albert Museum. If you remember, Kate graduated with an art history degree from St. Andrew's, so the V&A is no doubt an exciting place for the Duchess of Cambridge. 

June 20, 2017

Even though London was experiencing a heat wave, the royal looked prim and proper in a long-sleeved lace dress. While it's very similar to the dress she wore to the Royal Ascot in 2016, Kate's lace concoction this year is slightly different. Alexander McQueen, which seems to be a favorite designer of Kate's, created this year's beautiful frock. 

June 16, 2017

At the Land Rover BAR Roadshow, Kate Middleton's preppy-chic outfit was a rare choice. Always a rule-breaker, Kate wore trousers, which she is hardly ever photographed wearing. In fact, Kate has only been pictured in trousers once before. That time, she sported a printed pair in 2016.

June 12, 2017

Kate Middleton wore a demure blue tweed skirt suit when she surprised staff and patients at Kings College Hospital. The Duchess of Cambridge visited with victims of the London terror attacks. 

May 22, 2017

Just days after her sister Pippa's wedding, Kate visited the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) Chelsea Flower Show prior to the official opening. She blended right in with the stunning blooms in her emerald green Rochas knee-length frock, which reminds us of the rich emerald green coat she wore in Canada. The Queen followed Kate's style cues too, wearing florals for the show. 

May 3, 2017

Kate Middleton visited a farm in Gloucestershire in a casual ensemble. The Duchess of Cambridge wore a pair of khaki skinny jeans and tassled boots that she's owned since at least 2004. She is the queen of tastefully recycling outfits! Under her jacket she wore an adorable navy sweater on top of a gingham shirt. 

April 19, 2017

Kate Middleton made denim look chic when she wore a pair of dark slim jeans, a striped shirt, and white canvas sneakers. The Duchess of Cambridge met with runners she was hosting for her, Prince William, and Prince Harry's Heads Together campaign, which focuses on mental health issues. 

April 16, 2017

Kate Middleton wore this lovely pink Catherine Walker coat to a traditional Easter Sunday church service at St. George's Chapel in Windsor. This stunning outfit reminds us a lot of Jackie Kennedy's style.

April 5, 2016

At a memorial honoring the victims of London's Westminster Bridge terror attacks, Kate Middleton joined Prince William and Prince Harry to pay tribute. The Duchess of Cambridge looked understated in a patterned white and black coat, which she wore over a black dress. She accessorized with an ornate hat. 

April 4, 2017

At the opening night of "42nd Street," Kate Middleton was glowing in a ruby red Marchesa dress. She accessorized with similar colored shoes and dangling earrings. Proceeds from the play benefitted the East Anglia Children’s Hospices.

March 28, 2017

Kate Middleton looked absolutely lovely in an emerald green lace dress at a gala dinner at the National Portrait Gallery. She wore a Temperley London gown and finished the look with a gold Wilbur & Gussie clutch and Jimmy Choo heels.

March 17, 2017

After a reception at the British ambassador's residence, Kate Middleton changed into an icy blue Jenny Peckham dress. 

March 17, 2017

Kate Middleton wore a black Alexander McQueen gown to a reception dinner at British Ambassador Edward Llewellyn's residence in France. In addition to her wedding ring, she accessorized with a matching necklace and earring set.

March 17, 2017

In the spirit of St. Patrick's Day, the Duchess of Cambridge wore a custom-designed Catherine Walker & Co. forest green coat and matching hat. She accessorized with a shamrock pin, as well as an actual bouquet of real shamrocks. 

February 27, 2017

At royal reception to mark the beginning of UK-India Year of Culture 2017, Kate Middleton dazzled in a lace Erdem dress. But it was her sparkly Oscar de la Renta heels that totally stole the show!

February 14, 2017

The Duchess of Cambridge wowed Royal Air Force cadets with her V-day visit. The Philosophy jacket was eye-catching, but it was her black jeans that really got people buzzing!

February 12, 2017

Kate Middleton wore a beautiful, custom-made Alexander McQueen off-the-shoulder gown to the BAFTA Awards. She accessorized with a simple clutch and sparkling earrings. 

February 6, 2017

The Duchess of Cambridge recycled a suit that she first wore in 2011--six years and two kids ago! Royal watchers think the skirt has been altered so it's longer than it originally was.

February 6, 2017

Kate stepped out again in another suit for an evening event. This time, the suit was a new one by Oscar de la Renta. Her clutch is the same, but she's switched to sheer black stockings! 

January 24, 2017

Kate Middleton visited the East Anglia's Children's Hospices and wore an emerald green Hobbs suit set. The Duchess of Cambridge also received an adorable drawing from one of the children. 

December 19, 2016

At a holiday party for the Heads Together charity, Kate dazzled in a bright and festive red-and-green Vanessa Seward dress and black belt.

November 22, 2016

To give a speech at the Place2Be Wellbeing in Schools Awards, the proud supporter of mental health awareness wore a black Preen by Thornton Bregazzi dress. If it looks familiar, it's because she wore the same one in red two months earlier. 

November 22, 2016

Before she changed into her elegant awards ceremony dress, Kate wore this calf-skimming LK Bennett dress for a children's tea party at a museum. 

November 4, 2016

The mom of two visited the Nelson Trust Women's Centre wearing a fall-fabulous black turtleneck, chevron skirt, black tights, and a blue coat. 

November 3, 2016

Gracing the red carpet for the U.K. premiere of A Street Cat Named Bob, the Duchess shone in an all-white ensemble by Self-Portrait. 

October 11, 2016

Kate Middleton visited the Netherlands wearing a pale blue skirt suit by Catherine Walker and jewelry borrowed from the Queen. She attended the Mauritshuis art museum to tour an art exhibition, and then she met with Britain's ambassador to the Netherlands for a round table discussion of mental health issues. 

October 10, 2016

In her first official outing since the royal family returned from their tour of North America, Kate Middleton looked chic in a pale pink Kate Spade dress with roses on it for World Mental Health Day. She accessorized with a pair of nude heels and a matching clutch. 

September 27, 2016

Kate stepped out in Kelowna, British Columbia in a forest green Dolce and Gabbana dress and nude heels. The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge sampled some local delicacies and spirits before heading north. Kate exited the plane in Whitehorse, a city in the northern Yukon Territory, wearing a similarly colored coat from Hobbs and a plaid scarf. 

September 26, 2015

Kate was rainy-weather chic in Bella Bella, Canada, in a cropped trench coat, navy leggings, and tall, brown boots. When she got inside to watch a performance from first nation community members, she revealed she was wearing a navy-and-white gingham collard shirt under a blue sweater.

September 26, 2016

Just hours after sporting a casual outfit, Kate glammed up in a red Thornton Bregazzi dress, accessorized with a maple-leaf brooch in honor of the Canadian flag. She was attending a British Columbia government reception.

September 25, 2015

On the second day of the royal family's week-long tour of North America, Kate stunned in an Alexander McQueen dress that was "a nod to the [Canadian] flag." She paired the outfit with matching red heels and a clutch. 

September 24, 2016

The royal family touched down in Canada to kick off their visit. Kate wore a blue Jenny Packham dress with a matching Sylvia Fletcher fascinator. In a nod to Canada, she accessorized with a maple leaf pin. 

September 16, 2016

Kate wore a blue Altuzarra dress with a daring side slit to Steward's Academy in Harlow, England. She and Prince William were there to learn about children's mental health struggles. 

September 2, 2016

Kate surprised everyone with these $25 pair of Gap pants, which she paired with wedges, a clutch, and a pricier jacket.

September 1, 2016

The Duchess of Cambridge looks pretty in pink! The dress is by Lela Rose--and we love how she pairs it with wedges. Casual yet elegant--and a nod to Diana's favorite color (pink).

August 25, 2016

To make up for her absence, Duchess Kate did another event today. She kept her accessories the same, but that stunning red L.K. Bennett dress is brand-new! 

August 24, 2016

In her first royal outing in a month, Kate recycled an L.K. Bennett dress that she'd worn on her Australian visit in 2014. She looks fab--and notice those nude heels!

July 24, 2016

It's rare to see Kate looking so casual for an official engagement, but she paired jeans with wedges at the America's Cup World Series, a sailing event.

July 10, 2016

Kate wowed the Wimbledon crowd when she appeared for the men's finals in a floral Alexander McQueen dress.

July 8, 2016

It was Prince George's first official engagement, and to commemorate the event, his mom wore a beautiful blue Stella McCartney dress.

July 7, 2016

The Duchess of Cambridge looks VERY glamorous in shades and this canary-yellow dress from Roksanda as she watches a Wimbledon tennis match.

July 6, 2016

Kate attended the Art Fund Museum of the Year awards dinner wearing an off-the-shoulder gown by a Brazilian designer, Barbara Casasola. Royal watchers considered it a pretty daring choice! 

July 1, 2016

For a service honoring the soldiers at the Battle of Somme, Kate wore this gorgeous lace dress. 

June 30, 2016

Kate looked properly subdued to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the battle of Somme in this Missoni coat and matching pillbox hat. To keep her updo intact, she wore a hair net.

June 22, 2016

Kate looked stunning in this pale pink Jenny Packham dress, which she wore for a charity gala dinner held to raise money for the East Anglia's Children's Hospices (EACH). Of course, [this isn't the first time the Duchess of Cambridge has worn this sparkly dress. Shortly after her 2011 nuptials, Kate wore this same dress to the ARK gala — one of her first royal engagements after marrying Prince William. See, even Kate recycles her outfits. 

She carried a silk Prada clutch and on her feet were her trusty recycled nude LK Bennett heels. Her diamond chandelier earrings, which only upped the glam factor, were loaned to her by Queen Elizabeth back in October 2016 for a state dinner with the president of China and his wife. (We wouldn't give back those beautiful diamonds either!). 

At the event, Kate proved she wasn't just a pretty face when she cracked a joke about the cooking, which was catered by five world-renowned chefs. "William has to put up with my cooking most of the time," the duchess joked, so that night's meals were probably a treat for her husband.