Kate vs Diana

When Kate Middleton faces a barrage of paparazzi, she is a royal in every right. Young and glamorous, with an air of elegance about her, the Duchess of Cambridge and wife of the heir to the throne Prince William, Kate faces almost the same plight as Princess Diana.

Kate Middleton's fairy-tale wedding once again ushered in a new era for the usually conservative royalty. Three decades back, a young and radiant Diana walked down the aisle to Prince Charles and millions around the world lost their hearts out to her instantly. Today, Kate brings back fond memories of the Princess we lost. It is in Kate's simplicity and calm exterior that we see the similarities- here's how they are so alike, yet so different.

As thousands across the world watched in fascination, Kate Middleton proved that blue blood had nothing to do with the royal grace that she so effortlessly oozed. She reminds us of a 20-something Princess-y Diana, we just hope that this fairy-tale has no sad ending.

One of the three daughters of Lord Spencer, Diana may have had her connections to the royal family, but her upbringing was anything but. An 8-year-old Diana witnessed her parents' bitter divorce and moved to London with her father.

Considered a poor student, young Diana showed excellence in music as an accomplished pianist. Lady Di then moved to a flat in London, gifted to her for her 18th birthday, along with three other flat mates. Around the same time, she met her future husband, who was at the time dating her older sister Sarah.
The people's princess had worked as a playgroup assistant, nanny, hostess at parties and even did some cleaning work for her sister.

Kate Middleton comes from an entirely less exclusive strata of society than Princess Di. She has deep family roots in the grim coal pits of Northern England, once the source of Britain's industrial wealth. But Kate is far from being the proverbial coal miner's daughter – her father is a self-made millionaire and the Middleton children grew up in luxury. Even so, her less than aristocratic beginnings have made Kate the centre of attention from a society fascinated by her girl-next-door to Queen-in-waiting fairytale.

She studied at St. Andrews School, and after a hoop-skip and jump, Kate followed it up by pursuing History of Art at the University of St Andrews, where she met her Prince Charming.
Post graduation, Middleton worked as an accessory buyer with the clothing chain Jigsaw, later rumoured to be training as a photographer with Mario Testino, who had taken several well-known photographs of Diana, Princess of Wales, and her sons.

Westminister Abbey is where dreams come true. The April 29 royal wedding, of Prince William of Wales and Kate Middleton had more than just the location in common with the wedding of Prince Charles and Lady Diana 30 years earlier.

Diana's first-born William proposed to Kate with his mother's engagement ring.
According to reports, Diana had selected this large £30,000 (at the time) ring, consisting of 14 diamonds surrounding a sapphire, similar to her mother's engagement ring. The ring was later imitated by the crown jeweller Garrard.

She may not have any blue blood running through her veins, but Kate has stepped up to the plate and surprised the masses with her flair for style. A factor that has often resulted in the comparison of her to the late Princess Diana. Both even wore blue for their engagements to match the sapphire on their finger.

Even through their respective courtships, the people almost instantly fell in love with new additions to the Royal family. Kate has, like Princess Di, won the hearts of many admirers since the wedding.

But as she won those many hearts, Diana also grew to love her hats. She was often spotted wearing one, rarely repeated, in varying styles and colours.

Following close at her heels, Kate seems to have taken quite a fancy to the fashionable headgear as well. She has even taken it up a notch with their boldness, while still keeping it elegant.

If only looks could kill, the two share a similar piercing gaze.

With Red coats and black hats, Kate looks like a lot like Diana.

They wore a feather in their cap.

Knew how to kick back and get comfy.

Style themselves to be fit for a ball - No wonder it's a Cinderella story.

Though Kate was attending her graduation, Diana had been spotted over a decade ago in a similar ensemble.

And to beat the wicked England weather, Diana and Kate have been seen in similar overcoats too.

With being part of the royal family, there are many formal dos to attend - one instance of which had both sporting the same colour with many years in between.

Wearing button-down red jackets, Diana and Kate complement themselves with bright red.

Diana had her own sense of adventure, doing her bit for humanity and fighting for heartfelt causes. We hope young Kate takes on some adventures of her own, instead of flipping a pancake for charity.

Tragedy struck as the world lost its Queen of Hearts. But we hope to see the spirit live on with Kate.