How Carole inherited Kate’s style
WHEN the Duchess of Cambridge turned to blow a kiss to her mother, Carole Middleton, at Wimbledon last week, it encapsulated how delightfully affectionate their relationship is.
Seeing their matching smiles light up across the Royal Box also underlined how strikingly similar they are both in style and appearance.
With their long chestnut hair worn glossy, straight and tucked behind the ears, with drop earrings peeking out below, the pair were clearly channelling the same look.
But where once it might have been Kate copying her mother’s impeccable style, it seems that at the age of 67, Carole is taking a leaf out of her eldest child’s fashion book.
From her newly straightened hair — clearly impressed by the treatment Kate had for her Caribbean tour — to the matching jewellery and dresses, Carole’s had not so much a make-over as a ‘Kate-over’.
And why not? After all the tips about make-up and fashion Kate has picked up from her mum over the years, it’s only fair that Carole should reap the rewards of her daughter’s sophistication.
They both call upon the service of Richard Ward’s hair salon, so why not share a wardrobe — especially when it’s as full as Kate’s?
Take Royal Ascot a few weeks ago, when, wearing a breezy hot pink pleated shirtdress from British label Me+Em, Carole looked fabulous. The dress was strikingly familiar — it was identical to one worn by her daughter in May last year on a visit to Edinburgh.
Did Carole borrow it from Kate’s expansive wardrobe? Maybe. Although Carole is not as tall as the duchess, she certainly has the slender figure to carry off her daughter’s clothes. Not only that, but she put her own spin on the look with a black fascinator and matching clutch.
There was yet more daughtermother style inspiration at Wimbledon, when Carole arrived on the third day of the tournament showcasing a stunning blue topaz necklace by one of Kate’s favourite gem designers, Kiki McDonough.
It may even have been borrowed from Kate’s jewellery box, since Kate has worn the same piece on several occasions herself.
For me, just a few years older than Carole and with a 32-year-old daughter, Emma, I think the relationship Kate and her mother have is simply wonderful.
THERE is something uniquely pleasing about the moment you realise you can dip into your daughter’s wardrobe. Although I’m not entirely sure Emma would always agree.
It feels a little risqué to swan around in your daughter’s clothes — and rather fabulous that they fit!
It is also good to be shaken out of your fashion rut from time to time — and who better than a daughter to provide the inspiration?
I can definitely relate to the fact that there are times as a mum when you think your daughter looks so gorgeous that you might like to emulate her style. Sometimes there need to be a few concessions to age, although Carole’s legs are so shapely she can still raise a hem and look elegant. Good for her!
She was a British Airways flight attendant in her 20s, at a time when being cabin crew was one of the most glamorous jobs there was.
So it would be no surprise if, when the seeds of Kate’s royal romance with William began to blossom, she might have offered some style advice to her daughter.
And during the early years of her romance with the prince, Kate’s safe fashion choices often — unsurprisingly — mirrored those of her beloved mum.
But with time, now a confident mother-of-three herself and shaping up for her future role as Queen, Kate has really come into her own.
It is truly delightful to see this confidence reflected in the very
woman who helped to shape her.