Princess Catherine pays thoughtful tribute to Princess Diana in Italy | Royal | News

Princess Diana famously wore a remarkably similar powder blue and white ensemble while holidaying in the Mediterranean with Prince Charles in 1995, when the pair visited Sardinia.

The late Princess of Wales paired the pastel jacket with a coordinating skirt and white blouse, reflecting the sharply polished silhouettes that dominated royal fashion during the decade.

While Catherine’s version felt distinctly modern through its wide-leg tailoring and contemporary cut, several elements mirrored Diana’s original look.

The soft powder blue shade, crisp white contrast detailing and strong structured tailoring all carried similarities to Diana’s elegant ensemble from more than three decades ago.

However, where skirt suits dominated the royal wardrobe during Diana’s era, Catherine appeared to put a fresh 2026 twist on the aesthetic through the use of a modern power suit – a silhouette that has increasingly become one of the defining staples of contemporary royal dressing.

Jewellery also appeared to play an important role in the look. Catherine accessorised with Monica Vinader’s Nura Pearl Necklace, featuring a freshwater pearl suspended from a delicate gold vermeil chain. Pearls were famously one of Princess Diana’s signature jewellery choices throughout her life, regularly worn during royal engagements, overseas tours and formal occasions.

Rather than opting for an oversized statement piece, Catherine kept the jewellery understated and close to her chest, allowing the subtle pearl detail to quietly complement the overall look while still appearing deeply symbolic.

The parallels between the two women extended beyond fashion alone. Princess Diana was widely known for her dedication to children’s causes throughout her royal life, championing charities supporting vulnerable young people and regularly visiting hospitals, schools, and organisations centred around children’s welfare. Before marrying into the Royal Family, Diana herself worked as a nanny, preschool assistant and nursery teacher’s assistant at the Young England School in Pimlico.

Similarly, Princess Catherine has made early childhood development one of the defining pillars of her royal work in recent years through The Royal Foundation Centre for Early Childhood. Her visit to Reggio Emilia specifically focused on learning more about the internationally respected educational philosophy centred around the importance of a child’s first five years.

As Catherine continues shaping her role as future Queen, the Italian appearance appeared to offer a modern reflection of Diana’s legacy – combining heartfelt royal styling with a long-term commitment to children and early years development.