Kate Middleton Can't Stop Wearing Princess Diana's Favorite Print

by Eliza Huber

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Paul Edwards/WPA Pool/Getty Images

Ever since Kate Middleton officially became a member of the Royal Family in 2011—really, even before that—the Duchess of Cambridge's style has had an undeniable influence on ours. She wears skinny jeans, we wear skinny jeans. She wears wedges, we wear wedges. It's practically a fact: Whatever Middleton wears becomes a thing.

Given that my job is to know about trends before anyone else, I instantly perked up when I saw photo evidence of the future Queen wearing polka dots not once, not twice, but three times already this summer. After all, knowing what I know about Middleton's influence, anything she wears on three occasions will undoubtedly become a top trend of the season before long. But it wasn't until I noticed just how similar her polka-dot looks were to outfits worn by fashion's other favorite royal Princess Diana that I called it: Polka dots are about to go viral.

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Karwai Tang/WireImage/Getty Images

On Kate Middleton: Alessandra Rich dress; Finlay Henrietta Sunglasses ($225)

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Anwar Hussein/Getty Images

WHO: Princess Diana

Middleton first debuted the print at the Big Jubilee Lunch during the Queen's Platinum Jubilee weekend in early June, choosing an electric-blue, polka dot dress by Alessandra Rich. Clearly a favorite of hers, she then wore it again just one month later at Wimbledon on Tuesday.

When compared side-by-side, the midi-length dress, which features quarter-length sleeves, a pleated skirt, and a belted waist, appears to be an homage to a similar one worn by the Princess of Wales in 1989 during a trip to Kuwait. Princess Diana's dress likewise featured a pleated skirt and white polka dots, though hers included a white collar and matching, oversize buttons. (It was the '80s, after all.)

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Chris Jackson/Getty Images

On Kate Middleton: Alessandra Rich dress; Sally-Ann Provan hat

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Julian Parker/UK Press/Getty Images

WHO: Princess Diana

In between, the Duchess of Cambridge attended the 2022 Royal Ascot, where she wore an almost identical outfit to one worn by Princess Diana at the same event in 1988: a white polka-dot dress with pearl jewelry and, of course, a wide-brim hat. Middleton specifically chose an Alessandra Rich dress with chocolate-brown spots and a matching Sally-Ann Provan hat. Her late mother-in-law's look only differed in that her '80s-era look was black-and-white and paired with a gold watch.

Given how much power the two women have over our sartorial choices, it'd be a mistake not to get a head start on what will assuredly become a major trend this summer. Keep scrolling to shop the royal-approved print.