Christina GerewEveryone knows Kate Middleton has been a fashion darling of the global media since her graceful ascendance to the royal lineage of England. However it seems she’s met her regal match in Letizia Ortiz, who married King Felipe of Spain in 2004. The slender royal has quickly made a name for herself, topping best-dressed lists around the world.
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As the two brunette beauties capture the eye of the public, their fashion choices are constantly documented. Whether it be their wedding gowns or vacation frocks, they seem to have the same taste in dressing the part of a royal lady.
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Letizia’s slender figure and elegant curls mirror the polished hairstyle of Kate. Likewise, the two donned similar vibrant red looks and classic nautical striped sweaters while maintaining their personal touches- Kate’s navy blazer had button accents while Letizia accessorized with an elegant pearl collar.
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For an official visit to Portugal in 2012, Letizia slipped into a trendy off-the-shoulder black guipure lace Felipe Varela dress. Making a similar sartorial choice, Kate sported a more demure take on the lace look with added length. One of Kate’s favorite stores, Zara, is a Spanish brand often worn by the modern monarch Letizia.
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For her wedding Letizia was the epitome of elegance in an ivory gown with a 15-foot-long train and her mother-in-law’s diamond and platinum tiara. The longs sleeves and deep neckline of her gown resembled Kate’s bridal look which also had an ornate lace veil and majestic train.
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The jet-setting royals share more than just a similar color palette for their fashion looks. Both stepped from humble backgrounds into the modern fairytale. Kate’s middle-class family owns a party planning business while Letizia’s was of the working class.
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Like Kate, the modern monarch has beauty and brains. Letizia worked as a reporter and journalist before her engagement to Prince Felipe lV of Spain. Both women bring a fresh take to philanthropic work and share a love for recycling their favorite fashion.
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While Kate remains true to British conservative style, donning classic below-the-knee silhouettes and wide frocks, Letizia adds a modern dose of daring with her style. The Queen of Spain takes a more playful approach to a modern royal wardrobe with leather pants and shorter hemlines.
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Queen Letizia emergence as a fashion icon to echo the grace of the Duchess of Cambridge is a royal match of fashion dreams. Designers who clamored to dress the British rose may need to look to Spain for their newest royal muse.