Royal Pundit Slams Claims Kate Middleton Copied Meghan Markle’s Style

A royal biographer said it was "patronizing" to attribute Kate Middleton's recent glamorous look to her alleged rivalry with her sister-in-law Meghan Markle.

The Duchess of Cambridge stole the show at London's Royal Albert Hall this week when she attended the world premiere of the latest James Bond film, "No Time to Die," in a gold, sequin-covered Jenny Packham cape gown.

Some have since claimed that Middleton went glam as a result of her rumored rivalry with Markle. "The intriguing reality behind Kate's metamorphosis from slightly-dowdy Duchess into a new royal superstar: None of it would have been possible without Meghan!" tweeted British journalist and TV host Dan Wootton.

However, pundit and journalist Angela Levin, author of "Harry: A Biography of a Prince" and "Diana's Babies: Kate, William and the Repair of a Broken Family," slammed such comments, writing on Twitter, "I think it is patronizing to say the Duchess of Cambridge's new look is thanks to Meghan. The only thing she is probably grateful for is that she's moved to the U.S.A."

Melita Latham, a clothing designer and founder of Melita Latham London, suggested that Middleton has long proven herself to be a fashion icon, having been pitted against fellow royals and stars over the years in terms of style choices.

"If Kate is secretly sending messages to Meghan by wearing this stunning, glamorous, show-stopping marvel, then she has simply no need," Latham told Express. "Over the previous years, Kate has been compared to all female members of the royal family, along with many international royal family members and celebrities. But oh my goodness has she raised the bar and has simply put everyone else in the shade."

A number of social media users appeared to share Levin's and Latham's views, posting photos of some of Middleton's most glamorous looks over the years, such as the black off-the-shoulder Alexander McQueen gown with gold embellishments that she wore to the 2017 BAFTAs.

"I think saying [Meghan] influenced Kate is quite frankly selling Kate short. The elusive swan always knows just when to emerge, full of all its dignified beauty & class. I think this applies to Kate, it was always within. She has just let it out," one Twitter user commented.

"Catherine is anything but 'dowdy' and has been a fashion icon well before [Meghan] arrived on the scene," another added.

Middleton's gold Jenny Packham cape gown for Tuesday's "No Time to Die" premiere was said to be a tribute to Princess Diana, Page Six reported. The late Princess of Wales wore a similar dress for the premiere of a different Bond flick, 1985's "A View to a Kill."

While Princess Diana's dress was made by designer Bruce Oldfield, her gown featured the same silhouette, V-neck and waist-cinching detail as Middleton's modern version.

Middleton, Prince William, Prince Charles and Duchess Camilla attended the premiere of "No Time to Die" along with healthcare workers and servicemen and women of the royal armed forces, who had been invited in honor of their "extraordinary contribution to the nation’s response to the COVID pandemic."

This wasn't the first time the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge had attended the premiere of one of the Bond films. Prince William and Middleton also made an appearance on the red carpet of the 2015 opening of "Spectre," for which the duchess also wore a Jenny Packham gown.

Prior to their appearance at the "No Time to Die" opening, Prince William and Middleton's last red carpet event was the BAFTAs in February 2020 where the duchess dazzled in an embroidered Alexander McQueen gown.