Kate Middleton's maternity dress was a moving tribute to Princess Diana

Someone's been cutting onions.

kate middleton maternity dress
(Image credit: Tim Rooke/REX/Shutterstock)

Someone's been cutting onions.

Today has been a whirlwind centred around the birth of the third royal baby, who arrived at 11am to Kate Middleton and Prince William. The proud parents just stepped outside the wings of St Mary’s Hospital for a first glimpse of the royal baby and we’ve not only fallen in love with their bundle of joy, but with the thoughtful style tribute Kate Middleton paid to Princess Diana.

Kate looked radiant in a bespoke shift dress by one of her favourite fashion brands, Jenny Packham. The cherry red dress with its white Peter Pan collar was reminiscent of a similar one that Princess Diana stepped out in back in 1984, when she and Prince Charles announced Prince Harry to the world.

kate middleton maternity dress

Tim Rooke/REX/Shutterstock
(Image credit: Tim Rooke/REX/Shutterstock)

Kate opted for a slightly softer look with a floral lace collar, opposed to Diana's edgier menswear-inspired look and its peekaboo stripes seen below.

kate middleton maternity dress

JOHN SHELLEY./REX/Shutterstock
(Image credit: JOHN SHELLEY./REX/Shutterstock)

It’s not the first time that Kate's turned to Jenny Packham, as she previously wore custom dresses by the designer to introduce both Prince George and Charlotte from the same very steps.

Similar Style: Maje Embellished Collar Shift Dress

kate middleton maternity dress

Maje Embellished Collar Shift Dress, Harrods

Priced at £209, available at Harrods

Buy now

Previously, Kate wore a yellow silk floral shift by Jenny Packham and nude Stuart Weitzman heels just hours after giving birth to Princess Charlotte. She accessorised with a quintessential pair of Kate Middleton earrings, her favourite Annoushka pearl drops.

kate middleton maternity dress

Ray Tang/REX/Shutterstock
(Image credit: Ray Tang/REX/Shutterstock)

Similar Style: Beatrice Floral-Print Crepe Dress

kate middleton maternity dress

Beatrice Floral-Print Crepe Dress, Borgo De Nor

Priced at £640, available at NET-A-PORTER

Buy now

To welcome George into the world, she wore a powder blue polka dot shift dress again by Jenny Packham and a pair of low white heels. It was a thoughtful nod to Princess Diana, who sported a similar dress following the birth of Prince William.

kate middleton maternity dress

Beretta/Sims/REX/Shutterstock
(Image credit: Beretta/Sims/REX/Shutterstock)

Similar Style: Maternity Blue Floral Shirred Waist Dress

kate middleton maternity dress

Maternity Blue Floral Shirred Waist Dress, New Look

Priced at £14.99, available at New Look

Buy now

Kate’s stylist Natasha Archer was spotted leaving the hospital this morning, presumably to make sure the Duchess’ royal wardrobe was in order. She wasn’t the only person in Kate’s beauty posse to make an appearance though, as her hairdresser Amanda Cook Tucker was also spotted coming and going from the hospital. When it comes to a royal photo opp, it takes a village.

Megan C. Hills

Megan is a freelance journalist who covers entertainment and all things lifestyle, with a particular passion for fashion, beauty, travel and Keanu Reeves stories. She has previously worked on staff for titles including Marie Claire UK, CNN Style and The Evening Standard and has written for titles such as Bustle UK, Wallpaper*, Forbes and Hong Kong Tatler. She splits her time between London and her hometown Hong Kong, where she currently lives with the love of her life - an elderly dog named Poppy - and her husband.