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Kate channels Diana but Prince William steals the show in Pakistan

Kate and Diana in pakistan
Kate continues to take style cues from Princess Diana. Photo: Getty

Kate Middleton may be the one to get the most attention for her royal tour wardrobe, but after their last engagement it’s Prince William’s everyone is talking about.

When it comes to her wardrobe, Kate Middleton has been taking heed of the country’s Islamic customs and culture. But the duchess is also taking inspiration from a fellow royal with close ties to Pakistan: her late mother-in-law, Princess Diana.

Prince William’s mother spent time doing charity work in the country before her 1997 death, and was in a two-year relationship with British-Pakistani surgeon Hasnat Khan, a distant cousin of current prime minister and former cricket star Imran Khan.

Kate’s first outfit when she flew into Islamabad on Monday, a blue ombré dress, instantly drew comparisons to Diana’s arrival look.

Then on Tuesday, Kate wore two outfits echoing the late princess’s Pakistan wardrobe.

Kate and William meet with Prime Minister Imran Khan
On Tuesday Kate joined William to meet with Prime Minister Imran Khan. Photo: Getty

For a meeting with Prime Minister Khan — who frequently joined Diana on her own visits — the duchess wore another Catherine Walker design: a bright green tunic which she paired with white trousers from Maheen Khan, and a dupatta scarf by Bonanza Satrangi.

Diana also memorably wore green as a sign of respect for the country.

Diana in Lahore in 1991 wore green in a nod to the Pakistan flag.
Diana (in Lahore in 1991) also wore green in a nod to the Pakistan flag. Photo: Getty

Later the same day, Kate’s embroidered Maheen Khan kurta in royal purple was also compared to one worn by her mother-in-law on her final trip to Pakistan in 1997.

ISLAMABAD, PAKISTAN - OCTOBER 15:  (UK OUT FOR 28 DAYS) Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge visitS the Margalla Hills National Park, which sit in the foothills of the Himalayas, to join children from three local schools taking part in a number of activities which highlight Pakistan’s work to meet several of the Sustainable Development Goals on October 15, 2019 in Islamabad, Pakistan.  (Photo by Pool/Samir Hussein/WireImage)
Kate wore a purple Maheen Khan kurta on Tuesday. Photo: Getty

Prince William steals the spotlight in Pakistan

When the Duchess of Cambridge stepped out in a stunning floor-length Jenny Packham gown on Tuesday evening in Pakistan – some thought perhaps it was the Duke of Cambridge who truely stole the “spotlight”.

Prince William, Duke of Cambridge and Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge wear green as a nod to Pakistan's flag. [Photo: Getty]
Prince William, Duke of Cambridge and Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge wear green as a nod to Pakistan's flag. [Photo: Getty]

Prince William donned a traditional green sherwani – a type of coat-like garment which is custom to the region.

His outfit is believed to be by Naushemian, a label founded by Pakistani designer Nauman Arfeen – and many are joking on Twitter overshadowed his wife’s stand-out look, calling William’s look a “fashion statement”.

Kate meanwhile, embodied the royal spirit in the head-to-toe sequinned, emerald green number. She wore the outfit to attend a reception hosted by the British High Commissioner to Pakistan in Islamabad.

On her feet, she wore what look like new Jimmy Choo Mimi 100 sandals. The shoes are still available to buy on the Jimmy Choo website for $1080.

Kate also added a Pakistani nod to her look with a screen print chiffon dupatta by Satrangi, wore over one shoulder. The details were shared on Twitter. It retails for 1480 Pakistani rupees, according to the tweet.

The pair’s choice of green outfits is a diplomatic nod to the green flag of Pakistan.

ISLAMABAD, PAKISTAN - OCTOBER 15: Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge and Prince William, Duke of Cambridge arrive by Tuk Tuk as they attend a special reception hosted by the British High Commissioner Thomas Drew, at the Pakistan National Monument, during day two of their royal tour of Pakistan on October 15, 2019 in Islamabad, Pakistan. (Photo by Samir Hussein/WireImage)
The Duchess of Cambridge wears floor-length Jenny Packham gown. [Photo: Getty]

The pair made a spectacular arrival in a rainbow-coloured rickshaw.

During the evening, they were joined by representatives from Pakistan’s creative arts and business communities.

The purpose of the event was for the couple to “to meet as many Pakistanis as possible...including children and young people, leaders from government, business and the charity sector, inspiring conservationists, and well-known cultural figures and sporting stars,” according to the couple’s spokesperson via People.

With additional reporting by Erin Donnelly and Francesca Spectar.

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