Birthday of the Princess of Wales: Kate Middleton became Angelina Jolie’s double

Considering that the outfits that Kate Middleton wears in public are rapidly disappearing from stores at that moment, it becomes clear that the Princess of Wales has an army of style “copycats.” But some are starting to wonder if the royal trendsetter, or rather her stylists, have their own secret source of inspiration – in the form of Hollywood stars.

The Princess of Wales is considered the most popular person in the British royal family. Some call her the hope of the crown. Meanwhile, Kate Middleton turned 42 on January 9.

“Her public image is sweet, smiling and, dare I say it, harmless,” royal biographer Valentine Lowe tells PEOPLE. “But in reality she is driven, strong-willed and willing to fight for what she wants and what she believes is right.”

While Prince William prefers to give his wife jewelry, his father-in-law King Charles III, as noted in royal circles, wants to cement his daughter-in-law’s new position in the near future by appointing her a royal Dame of the Order of the Garter, the oldest and most senior order of chivalry in Britain, established by Edward III almost 700 years ago, inspired by the tales of King Arthur and the valor of his Knights of the Round Table.

The appointment, personally chosen by the monarch for service to the crown or national life, would strengthen her seniority and place her alongside Queen Camilla, Princess Alexandra and the royal knights, who include Prince William, Prince Edward, Prince Andrew and the Dukes of Kent and Gloucester.

According to the Daily Mail, there will be a simple celebration in Windsor.

“They’ll be there because the kids are about to go back to school, so it’ll just be a family event,” a source tells the British publication. “But to be honest, she’s just loving it.”

The Crown Princess not only performs royal duties at the highest level, but is also considered a style icon. In her first full year as Princess of Wales, Kate Middleton’s style has undergone an evolution, according to royal fashion expert Christine Ross. She noted the streamlined transformation of Kate’s vintage-style wardrobe. During this time, Kate not only increased the number of her royal visits, but also played a significant role in high-profile ceremonies, including the coronation of King Charles III.

Experts also emphasized that Kate Middleton and Angelina Jolie can be called sisters in style. In 2011, when the princess appeared on the red carpet in a spectacular asymmetrical silver dress, the style of which was seen on Angelina Jolie earlier that year. Since then, Kate has repeatedly become a mirror image of the actress. It is noted that the princess is not alone in imitating style; for example, Meghan Markle also sometimes chose outfits that seem to have something of Jolie.

If you look at photographs from events on various carpets, you will find parallels. For example, both shone in one-shoulder dresses. Then it was a real breakthrough in style when Kate and Angelina, just a few months apart, chose the same outfit.

In 2011, the Princess of Wales attended a military honors ceremony in a strapless Alexander McQueen gown, followed by Jolie in 2018, who also opted for the same off-the-shoulder silhouette with a sweeping train, wearing a black velvet gown by British couturiers Ralph and Russo .

Stylists note that both women look great in camel-colored pantsuits and look business-like. While Kate recently added tailoring to her “work uniform,” Jolie has had style in her wardrobe for several years.

In August 2023, Jolie appeared in New York wearing a chic camel suit with wide trousers and a leather Celine bag. The look was repeated by Kate just a month later in London when she wore a Roland Mouret trouser suit that was strikingly similar.

Besides choosing the same outfits, they share the same opinion when it comes to hairstyles and jewelry, both often opting for statement earrings and elegant hairstyles.

Jolie and Middleton shared royal protocol for covered-up clothing as they both wore turtleneck dresses with blouson sleeves in nude shades of brown and soft pink.

This happened in 2023, when for the wedding of Crown Prince Hussein and Rajwa Al-Saif, Kate chose dresses from a Lebanese designer. And earlier in 2021, Angelina also chose an outfit for Variety’s Power of Women Gala.