And a new photoset of Princess Diana shows how Kate Middleton channels her late mother-in-law’s countryside chic while enjoying the great outdoors.
A portrait of 21-year-old Diana sitting in front of the picturesque Scottish Highlands at Balmoral Estate perfectly showcases the princess’s timeless style.
Prince William’s mother poses for a cute shot wearing a long brown cardigan, white polo neck, tweed knickerbockers and brogues.
Although Kate, 41, is less likely to sport this old-fashioned cut of trousers and is rarely seen in oversized cardigans, she has become known for conveying a similar classic style to Diana, perfect for rural settings.
Country chic: A portrait of 21-year-old Diana sitting in front of the picturesque Scottish Highlands at Balmoral Estate perfectly captures the princess’s timeless style
The candid shot of King Charles III’s first wife was taken by Lord John King of Wortnaby, a close friend of the Royal Family.
The similarity between Diana’s relaxed demeanor and a photo of Kate taken in 2004, as she reclines on a bench for a portrait, is clear.
Kate’s matching skirt and jacket echo the tweed trousers Diana wore, a look Diana also wore while at Balmoral with Charles.
Kate is regularly pictured in classic tweed jackets, as seen during Diana’s visits to Scottish estates and official engagements.
Diana’s long welly socks are another countryside staple Kate has often reached for over the years.
The Duchess of Cornwall regularly wears her trusty £475 leather Penelope Chilvers boots, which she bought around ten years ago.
Kate was spotted wearing the boots at the Blenheim Palace Game Fair in August 2004, shortly after news of her relationship with Prince William first broke.
Boots have become a go-to for thrifty Kate, who has been known to re-wear staple items in her wardrobe, over the years.
Before changing to her brogues, Diana probably wore such knee-high boots with the plus-size trousers she was pictured at Balmoral.
Visiting Balmoral in September, these trousers are traditional sportswear worn during the hunting season.
Country sports style and the earthy tones of Diana’s look are regularly reflected in Kate’s outfits.
The princess is known to wear her olive-green defense Berber jacket and other outdoor wear when traveling the country.
Opting for a more dressed-down look, Kate opted for statement knits – something Diana was well known for.
The Princess of Wales again wore a white roll neck with a khaki jacket when visiting Copenhagen, Denmark last year.
Notably, Diana paired her brown cardigan with a white polo neck jumper during the royals’ September 1982 trip to Balmoral, seen by Kate on several occasions.
During her first Christmas at Sandringham as a working royal in 2011, the princess was photographed wearing a crisp white knit with a brown sheepskin coat.
He has since donned a similar combination, again wearing a white roll neck but with a khaki jacket to Denmark last year.
Again, this year, she wore a white knit, this time a Holland Cooper Fair Isle style jumper, which she paired with her favorite sheepskin coat for ten years when she was last pictured.
Kate is regularly pictured in a classic tweed jacket, as was Diana, both when visiting Scottish estates and on official engagements.
Diana’s photo at Balmoral can’t be the only parallel in her and Kate’s fashion.
In another photo from the collection, Diana was also pictured wearing a trusty pair of green Wellington boots as she sat on the grass overlooking the estate’s water.
While the princess often chooses Hunter Wellies, Kate’s brand of choice is Le Chameau when enjoying a country trip or taking on a countryside engagement.
Both a keen photographer herself, another photo from Balmoral, released to the public today, shows Diana holding a camera – as Kate has often been seen photographing.
Next month, a set of 22 images that includes the photos will go under the hammer at Willingham Auctions in Cambridge.
Both keen photographers themselves, another photo from Balmoral, released to the public today, shows Diana holding a camera – as Kate often does.
The never-before-seen set includes a series of poignant images of the late royal cradling her firstborn outside Balmoral Castle.
Other images in the photo collection show an adorable mother-son Diana hugging Prince William, who is wrapped in a white blanket.
The late Princess of Wales – who became a first-time mother just three months ago – looked affectionately at William as Lord King peered over his shoulder.
The pictures, along with their original negatives, will be auctioned in Cambridge on March 4
Lord King of Wortnaby – who died in 2005 aged 86 – left school with no qualifications and is best known for overseeing the privatization of British Airways.
Despite his humble beginnings, Lord Wortnaby began rubbing shoulders with royalty when he became Master of the Belvoir Hunt. In 1979, John was knighted by the Queen.
