• The Duchess of Cambridge has worn the Emilia Wickstead Kate dress in lilac, olive green and royal blue for appearances dating back to 2017, while Princess Mary wore it in powder blue during a 2015 visit to Tokyo, Japan. Getty Images, Reuters
    The Duchess of Cambridge has worn the Emilia Wickstead Kate dress in lilac, olive green and royal blue for appearances dating back to 2017, while Princess Mary wore it in powder blue during a 2015 visit to Tokyo, Japan. Getty Images, Reuters
  • The Duchess of Cambridge wore a pale pink Beulah London dress to attend the Wimbledon Tennis Championships on July 11, 2021 in London, and Princess Mary wore the same dress in a neutral cream shade to attend the opening of an exhibition at Frederiksborg Castle in Hillerod, Denmark on June 16, 2020. WireImage, Shutterstock
    The Duchess of Cambridge wore a pale pink Beulah London dress to attend the Wimbledon Tennis Championships on July 11, 2021 in London, and Princess Mary wore the same dress in a neutral cream shade to attend the opening of an exhibition at Frederiksborg Castle in Hillerod, Denmark on June 16, 2020. WireImage, Shutterstock
  • The Duchess of Cambridge and Princess Mary have worn the exact same Beulah London shirt dress. Kate Middleton wore it to visit the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Norfolk, England on July 5, 2020, and Princess Mary wore it during an official visit to Indonesia on December 4, 2019. Getty Images, EPA
    The Duchess of Cambridge and Princess Mary have worn the exact same Beulah London shirt dress. Kate Middleton wore it to visit the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Norfolk, England on July 5, 2020, and Princess Mary wore it during an official visit to Indonesia on December 4, 2019. Getty Images, EPA
  • The Duchess of Cambridge wore the Jenny Packham gown in an emerald green shade to attend the Royal Variety Performance on November 18, 2021, while Denmark's Crown Princess Mary chose a champagne hue for a 2022 'Financial Times' photoshoot. Getty Images, Hasse Nielsen
    The Duchess of Cambridge wore the Jenny Packham gown in an emerald green shade to attend the Royal Variety Performance on November 18, 2021, while Denmark's Crown Princess Mary chose a champagne hue for a 2022 'Financial Times' photoshoot. Getty Images, Hasse Nielsen

Royal style: 5 times Kate Middleton and Denmark's Princess Mary have dressed identically


Farah Andrews
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Britain's Duchess of Cambridge is preparing to travel to Denmark this week for a solo overseas visit to the European country.

As well as keeping an eye on Kate Middleton's style during her two-day visit, royal watchers will be looking out for twinning opportunities with Denmark's Crown Princess Mary.

The two are notably similar — they both married into their respective royal families and are in line to be queen consort, and have slim frames, athletic interests and long brown hair.

Not only do the pair look similar, aesthetically, they have been known to twin sartorially in the past, having worn identical dresses by the likes of Beulah London, Jenny Packham and Emilia Wickstead.

Scroll through the gallery above to see the Duchess of Cambridge and Denmark's Crown Princess Mary's twinning style.

Whether its exact replicas, or the same pieces in different colourways, the two royals have complimentary fashion sense, which means the Duchess of Cambridge's trip to Copenhagen looks set to be a style sensation when she steps out with her Australian-born Danish counterpart, Princess Mary.

Whether its for informal engagements, or black tie events that call for formal eveningwear, the two royals have stepped out in very similar outfits.

They are so similar, in fact, that late Chanel designer Karl Lagerfeld once described them as “royal sisters”.

The Duchess of Cambridge wore the Jenny Packham gown in an emerald green shade, while Denmark's Crown Princess Mary chose a champagne hue for a recent photoshoot. Getty Images, Hasse Nielsen
The Duchess of Cambridge wore the Jenny Packham gown in an emerald green shade, while Denmark's Crown Princess Mary chose a champagne hue for a recent photoshoot. Getty Images, Hasse Nielsen

For a photoshoot to accompany a Financial Times profile released earlier this month, Princess Mary wore a champagne-coloured Jenny Packham gown. The Duchess of Cambridge has worn the emerald green version of the same dress on two notable occasions — once during an official visit to Pakistan in 2019 and the second time for a Royal Variety Performance on November 18, 2021.

The Duchess of Cambridge and Princess Mary have worn the exact same Beulah London shirt dress. Getty Images, EPA
The Duchess of Cambridge and Princess Mary have worn the exact same Beulah London shirt dress. Getty Images, EPA

They have also been known to wear the exact same dresses, styled a little differently, of course. They have each worn blue floral-print shirt dresses by ethical brand, Beulah London. Princess Mary first wore the piece during a visit to Indonesia in December 2019, while the duchess wore the informal piece to visit Queen Elizabeth Hospital in King's Lynn as part of the NHS birthday celebrations on July 5, 2020.

Why do the Duchess of Cambridge and Princess Mary dress so similarly?

There is, of course, no exact answer when it comes to analysing the style crossover between the Duchess of Cambridge and Princess Mary.

The duo don't share a stylist, but they do, in a sense, share a job. While a working royal doesn't have a uniform, there certainly is a dress code that should be adhered to for official engagements, which will explain why the royals, and their stylists, are drawn to conservative but colourful pieces, which are cut below their knees, with shoulders covered, long sleeves and higher necklines.

Look back at the Duchess of Cambridge's most stylish moments here:

  • Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, in 1960s-style Gucci, visits the Victoria and Albert Museum on June 29, 2017, in London. Getty Images
    Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, in 1960s-style Gucci, visits the Victoria and Albert Museum on June 29, 2017, in London. Getty Images
  • The Duchess of Cambridge wears red Alexander McQueen in a new portrait by Paolo Roversi released on January 8, 2022, to celebrate her 40th birthday on January 9. Paolo Roversi / Kensington Palace via AP
    The Duchess of Cambridge wears red Alexander McQueen in a new portrait by Paolo Roversi released on January 8, 2022, to celebrate her 40th birthday on January 9. Paolo Roversi / Kensington Palace via AP
  • Prince William, Duke of Cambridge, and Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, who wears lavender Alexander McQueen, arrive at the 2011 Bafta Brits To Watch Event at the Belasco Theatre in July 9, 2011 in Los Angeles, California. Getty Images
    Prince William, Duke of Cambridge, and Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, who wears lavender Alexander McQueen, arrive at the 2011 Bafta Brits To Watch Event at the Belasco Theatre in July 9, 2011 in Los Angeles, California. Getty Images
  • Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, wears The Vampire's Wife to attend a reception at the Guinness Storehouse's Gravity Bar in Dublin, Ireland, in March 3, 2020. EPA
    Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, wears The Vampire's Wife to attend a reception at the Guinness Storehouse's Gravity Bar in Dublin, Ireland, in March 3, 2020. EPA
  • Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, in gold Jenny Packham, and Prince William, Duke of Cambridge, arrive for the world premiere of the James Bond film 'No Time to Die' at the Royal Albert Hall in London on September 28, 2021. EPA
    Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, in gold Jenny Packham, and Prince William, Duke of Cambridge, arrive for the world premiere of the James Bond film 'No Time to Die' at the Royal Albert Hall in London on September 28, 2021. EPA
  • Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, wears a pink Marks & Spencer suit to work from home at Kensington Palace in March 2020. Kensington Palace / Instagram
    Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, wears a pink Marks & Spencer suit to work from home at Kensington Palace in March 2020. Kensington Palace / Instagram
  • Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, wears a red Miu Miu cashmere jumper, in the 'Royal Carols – Together At Christmas trailer', filmed at Westminster Abbey on December 8, 2021. ITV
    Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, wears a red Miu Miu cashmere jumper, in the 'Royal Carols – Together At Christmas trailer', filmed at Westminster Abbey on December 8, 2021. ITV
  • Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, in pink Me+Em, during a meeting with Mila Sneddon and her family at the Palace of Holyroodhouse, Edinburgh, on May 27, 2021. Getty Images
    Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, in pink Me+Em, during a meeting with Mila Sneddon and her family at the Palace of Holyroodhouse, Edinburgh, on May 27, 2021. Getty Images
  • Prince William, Duke of Cambridge, and Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, who wears a red Catherine Walker coatdress, at Westminster Abbey for the 'Royal Carols – Together At Christmas' carol concert on December 8, 2021. Getty Images
    Prince William, Duke of Cambridge, and Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, who wears a red Catherine Walker coatdress, at Westminster Abbey for the 'Royal Carols – Together At Christmas' carol concert on December 8, 2021. Getty Images
  • Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, in a red Alexander McQueen coat, arrives for the launch of the Hold Still campaign at Waterloo Station, London, in October 20, 2020. Getty Images
    Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, in a red Alexander McQueen coat, arrives for the launch of the Hold Still campaign at Waterloo Station, London, in October 20, 2020. Getty Images
  • Prince William, Duke of Cambridge, and Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge wearing Alexander McQueen, on their wedding day, April 29, 2011. AP
    Prince William, Duke of Cambridge, and Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge wearing Alexander McQueen, on their wedding day, April 29, 2011. AP
  • Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, wears Erdem to a reception at the Fotografiska Gallery in Stockholm, Sweden, on January 31, 2018. Getty Images
    Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, wears Erdem to a reception at the Fotografiska Gallery in Stockholm, Sweden, on January 31, 2018. Getty Images
  • Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, wears a Needle & Thread dress at a reception at Buckingham Palace to mark the UK-Africa Investment Summit in London on January 20, 2020. Reuters
    Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, wears a Needle & Thread dress at a reception at Buckingham Palace to mark the UK-Africa Investment Summit in London on January 20, 2020. Reuters
  • Prince William, Duke of Cambridge, and Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, who wears a yellow Roksanda Ilincic dress, at the Sydney Opera House on April 16, 2014. Getty Images
    Prince William, Duke of Cambridge, and Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, who wears a yellow Roksanda Ilincic dress, at the Sydney Opera House on April 16, 2014. Getty Images
  • Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, wears a purple Gucci blouse to work from home at Kensington Palace in November 2020. Instagram / Kensington Royal
    Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, wears a purple Gucci blouse to work from home at Kensington Palace in November 2020. Instagram / Kensington Royal
  • Prince William, Duke of Cambridge, and Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, who wears green Jenny Packham, at a reception hosted by the British High Commissioner at the Pakistan National Monument in Islamabad, on October 15, 2019. Getty Images
    Prince William, Duke of Cambridge, and Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, who wears green Jenny Packham, at a reception hosted by the British High Commissioner at the Pakistan National Monument in Islamabad, on October 15, 2019. Getty Images
  • Prince William, Duke of Cambridge, and Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, who wears Alexander McQueen, at the 73rd Annual British Academy Film Awards at the Royal Albert Hall in London on February 2, 2020. She first wore the McQueen dress in 2012. EPA
    Prince William, Duke of Cambridge, and Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, who wears Alexander McQueen, at the 73rd Annual British Academy Film Awards at the Royal Albert Hall in London on February 2, 2020. She first wore the McQueen dress in 2012. EPA
  • Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, wears blue Roland Mouret to SportsAid's 40th anniversary dinner on June 9, 2016 in London. Getty Images
    Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, wears blue Roland Mouret to SportsAid's 40th anniversary dinner on June 9, 2016 in London. Getty Images
  • Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, wears Alexander McQueen to the 72nd Annual British Academy Film Awards at the Royal Albert Hall in London on February 10, 2019. EPA
    Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, wears Alexander McQueen to the 72nd Annual British Academy Film Awards at the Royal Albert Hall in London on February 10, 2019. EPA
  • Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, in teal Jenny Packham, and Prince William, Duke of Cambridge, arrive at 'Our Greatest Team Rises – BOA Olympic Concert' at the Royal Albert Hall on May 11, 2012. Getty Images
    Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, in teal Jenny Packham, and Prince William, Duke of Cambridge, arrive at 'Our Greatest Team Rises – BOA Olympic Concert' at the Royal Albert Hall on May 11, 2012. Getty Images
  • Prince William, Duke of Cambridge, Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, in black velvet Alexander McQueen, and Prince Harry attend The Sun Military Awards at Imperial War Museum on December 19, 2011 in London. Getty Images
    Prince William, Duke of Cambridge, Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, in black velvet Alexander McQueen, and Prince Harry attend The Sun Military Awards at Imperial War Museum on December 19, 2011 in London. Getty Images
  • Prince William, Duke of Cambridge, and Kate Middleton, who wears a blue Issa dress, in St James Palace, London, after announcing their engagement on November 16, 2010. Getty Images
    Prince William, Duke of Cambridge, and Kate Middleton, who wears a blue Issa dress, in St James Palace, London, after announcing their engagement on November 16, 2010. Getty Images
  • Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, wearing Alexander McQueen, arrives for the 70th Annual British Academy Film Awards at the Royal Albert Hall in London on February 12, 2017. EPA
    Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, wearing Alexander McQueen, arrives for the 70th Annual British Academy Film Awards at the Royal Albert Hall in London on February 12, 2017. EPA
  • Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, in gold Jenny Packham, attends a gala dinner in support of East Anglia's Children's Hospices' Nook appeal at Houghton Hall in King's Lynn, Norfolk, on June 22, 2016. Getty Images
    Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, in gold Jenny Packham, attends a gala dinner in support of East Anglia's Children's Hospices' Nook appeal at Houghton Hall in King's Lynn, Norfolk, on June 22, 2016. Getty Images
  • Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, wears a pale pink Jenny Packham dress to attend the Ark 10th Anniversary Gala Dinner at Perk's Field in London on June 9, 2011. Getty Images
    Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, wears a pale pink Jenny Packham dress to attend the Ark 10th Anniversary Gala Dinner at Perk's Field in London on June 9, 2011. Getty Images
  • Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, in a Zara leopard print skirt and Massimo Dutti turtleneck, arrives at Ely and Caerau Children’s Centre in Cardiff, Wales, on January 22, 2020. Getty Images
    Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, in a Zara leopard print skirt and Massimo Dutti turtleneck, arrives at Ely and Caerau Children’s Centre in Cardiff, Wales, on January 22, 2020. Getty Images
  • Prince William, Duke of Cambridge, and Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, who wears black lace Temperley London, attend the UK premiere of 'War Horse' on January 8, 2012 in London. Getty Images
    Prince William, Duke of Cambridge, and Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, who wears black lace Temperley London, attend the UK premiere of 'War Horse' on January 8, 2012 in London. Getty Images
  • Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, wears a floral Faithfull midi dress to visit to The Nook in Framlingham Earl, Norfolk, one of three East Anglia's Children's Hospices, on June 25, 2020. Getty Images
    Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, wears a floral Faithfull midi dress to visit to The Nook in Framlingham Earl, Norfolk, one of three East Anglia's Children's Hospices, on June 25, 2020. Getty Images
  • Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, wears pale blue Mulberry for an engagement in Ballymena, Co Antrim, Northern Ireland, on February 28, 2019. Getty Images
    Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, wears pale blue Mulberry for an engagement in Ballymena, Co Antrim, Northern Ireland, on February 28, 2019. Getty Images
  • Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, wearing a Warehouse sweater and green Jigsaw culottes, visits The Angela Marmont Centre For UK Biodiversity at the Natural History Museum in London on October 9, 2019. Getty Images
    Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, wearing a Warehouse sweater and green Jigsaw culottes, visits The Angela Marmont Centre For UK Biodiversity at the Natural History Museum in London on October 9, 2019. Getty Images
  • Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, in nautical stripes and LK Bennett trousers, attends the King's Cup Regatta at Greenwich on May 7, 2019 in London, England. Getty Images
    Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, in nautical stripes and LK Bennett trousers, attends the King's Cup Regatta at Greenwich on May 7, 2019 in London, England. Getty Images
  • Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, in silver Amanda Wakeley, attends the In Kind Direct charity at Clarence House, London, on October 26, 2011. Getty Images
    Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, in silver Amanda Wakeley, attends the In Kind Direct charity at Clarence House, London, on October 26, 2011. Getty Images
  • Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, wearing her second Alexander McQueen wedding dress, leaves Clarence House to travel to Buckingham Palace for the evening celebrations following her wedding to Prince William on April 29, 2011 in London. Getty Images
    Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, wearing her second Alexander McQueen wedding dress, leaves Clarence House to travel to Buckingham Palace for the evening celebrations following her wedding to Prince William on April 29, 2011 in London. Getty Images
  • Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, in a paisley Ralph Lauren blouse, visits the Faberge in 'London: Romance to Revolution' exhibition at the Victoria and Albert Museum on December 2, 2021. Getty Images
    Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, in a paisley Ralph Lauren blouse, visits the Faberge in 'London: Romance to Revolution' exhibition at the Victoria and Albert Museum on December 2, 2021. Getty Images
  • Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, in yellow Emilia Wickstead, attends a garden party in the grounds of Buckingham Palace on May 22, 2013. Getty Images
    Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, in yellow Emilia Wickstead, attends a garden party in the grounds of Buckingham Palace on May 22, 2013. Getty Images
  • Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, in a red Catherine Walker coat attends the Commonwealth Day Service 2020 at Westminster Abbey on March 9, 2020. Getty Images
    Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, in a red Catherine Walker coat attends the Commonwealth Day Service 2020 at Westminster Abbey on March 9, 2020. Getty Images
  • Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, in gold and green Erdem, with British ambassador to Sweden David Cairns during a visit to Sweden on January 30, 2018. Getty Images
    Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, in gold and green Erdem, with British ambassador to Sweden David Cairns during a visit to Sweden on January 30, 2018. Getty Images
  • Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, in red houndstooth Alessandra Rich, walks with museum director Tristram Hunt during her visit to the Victoria and Albert Museum on May 19, 2021 in London. Getty Images
    Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, in red houndstooth Alessandra Rich, walks with museum director Tristram Hunt during her visit to the Victoria and Albert Museum on May 19, 2021 in London. Getty Images
  • Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, in a red Christopher Kane skirt and Polo Ralph Lauren turtleneck sweater, arrives to launch the Taking Action on Addiction campaign at Bafta on October 19, 2021 in London. Getty Images
    Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, in a red Christopher Kane skirt and Polo Ralph Lauren turtleneck sweater, arrives to launch the Taking Action on Addiction campaign at Bafta on October 19, 2021 in London. Getty Images
  • Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, in blue lace Temperley London, attends a World Mental Health Day reception at Buckingham Palace in London on October 10, 2017. Getty Images
    Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, in blue lace Temperley London, attends a World Mental Health Day reception at Buckingham Palace in London on October 10, 2017. Getty Images
Updated: February 21, 2022, 2:58 PM