Who Will Be Queen? Why Kate Middleton Has Been Copying Elizabeth’s Grace And Style

Kate Middleton has further grown into her role as Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, since the beginning of 2017, taking on new royal duties while raising a young prince and princess of England.

Though Middleton was a regular citizen when she began dating Prince William, the second in line for the throne, her resemblance to royalty was almost immediately uncanny. The popular duchess seems to have had her fashion sense greatly influenced by Elizabeth since marrying William in 2011, and it's become even more evident in recent weeks.

Middleton matched with Elizabeth's blue, wide-brimmed hat during a memorial unveiling Thursday for fallen soldiers in Iraq and Afghanistan. The two wore nearly identical tweed outfits, albeit different color schemes, while attending charitable events last month.

Read: Will The Queen Step Down? Elizabeth Says She's More Engaged Then Ever In Older Years

There reportedly could be a method behind the duchess' familiar hairstyles, jewelry and high-fashion outfits worn for public and charity events, as it turns out. Middleton is both reflecting and honoring Queen Elizabeth, the longest-reigning living monarch in the world and the grandmother to her husband.

Each of Middleton's accessories were covered in sapphires during Thursday’s memorial unveiling, from her earrings and necklace, to the sapphire engagement ring she wears each day. Her choice in gemstone is no coincidence: The duchess is continuing to publicly celebrate the Queen's Sapphire Anniversary, marking 65 years of Elizabeth’s reign.

Middleton will likely never be the queen, though. At 90 years old, Elizabeth shows no signs of wanting to abdicate from the throne, despite suffering a weeks-long cold that forced her and her husband, Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, to be absent from several royal functions and holiday celebrations.

When Elizabeth is no longer the queen, the duchess won't be taking over the crown. While her husband is set to eventually become the king of England during the couple’s lifetime, Middleton will likely maintain her title as a duchess, as her son, Prince George of Cambridge, becomes the next in line to the throne behind his father.

Still, her fashion makes an important statement regardless: Middleton is a staunch supporter of the queen’s reign, and she wears it well.