Kate Middleton: Duchess of Cambridge"s dress similar to Princess Diana"s 30 years ago

Duchess of Cambridge”s dress looks strikingly similar to one Diana wore 30 years ago
With charisma, charm and good looks, it”s no wonder people compare the Duchess of Cambridge to Princess Diana.
And when the Kate wore an Alexander McQueen strapless black dress to The Sun”s Military Awards last night, onlookers couldn”t help but note another striking similarity.
Kate”s dress was almost identical to a gown worn by Diana thirty years ago.

Mirror image: The Duchess of Cambridge wore a black strapless dress, left, that looked similar to one Diana wore in 1981

Diana wore the Elizabeth Emmanuel creation at her first official engagement at the Royal Opera House with Prince Charles, left, and Princess Grace of Monaco

Diana wore the frock by Elizabeth and David Emmanuel – who designed her wedding dress – to her first public engagement in 1981 for a fundraiser at The Royal Opera House.
It sold at auction last year for 192,000 and features the same ruffled embellishment and sweetheart neckline, but is made of satin.
Diana also accessorized with a diamond necklace, bracelet and earrings – and of course the same sapphire engagement ring.

Iconic: Diana”s dress sold for 192,000 at auction last year

Kate”s dress last night was an unusual for her. Although by her favourite designer Sarah Burton, it was not typical of her style.
The Duchess rarely shows off her shoulders and often wears nude, blue or red shades, rather than black.
The move shows off a maturing side to Kate, who has yet to chose the charities she will represent in the future.

People”s princess The Duchess is proving to be as popular as Diana

Daily Mail”s fashion director Liz Jones said: “Wow. I am so glad Kate is finally wearing black: it”s a sign she has grown up.
“I love this strapless McQueen gown in velvet: it shows off her amazing shoulders.
“Comparisons will inevitably be drawn between this dress and the 1981 black satin strapless gown by the Emanuels worn by Diana, but the difference is Diana then was not woman enough to carry it off.
“She still looked like a little girl.
“You need to be womanly to carry off black, and this dress tells me there is something different about Kate already. She has matured, and she looks sexy… probably for the first time.”