Leave it to Duchess Sophie to deliver the most understated—yet elevated—sartorial nod to Kate Middleton. At a visit to Bisham Abbey National Sports Centre in Marlow, Buckinghamshire this week, the Duchess of Sussex met with England’s hockey team to participate in a training session. Initially, my eyes were on her Adidas sneakers, but—giving her look a more pulled-back glance—it was her Princess of Wales-inspired ensemble that caught my eye.
I Was So Focused on Duchess Sophie’s Shoes, I Almost Missed This Kate Middleton–Inspired Detail
Cue the royal repeat
•
Published Jan 16, 2026
PureWow editors select every item that appears on this page, and some items may be gifted to us. Additionally, PureWow may earn compensation through affiliate links within the story. All prices are accurate upon date of publish. You can learn more about the affiliate process here.
Bav Media/Shutterstock
A throwback to Princess Catherine’s casual 43rd birthday portrait, shared to the Prince and Princess of Wales’s Instagram account back in January 2025, Duchess Sophie’s outfit appeared to replicate the look almost exactly. A black Helmut Lang blazer, slim-fitting pants, a checked scarf (similar here)—it was styled differently than the way Catherine chose to wear it (she wore her jacket open and over a white blouse) but the core pieces were there.
It’s also not the first time that Duchess Sophie has emulated the Princess of Wales’s sartorial choices. From her Penelope Chilvers boots (a brand beloved by Catherine) to her statement coats (this cornflower blue look feels just like one of the princess’s go-to Christmas coats), it’s clear that Sophie is influenced by her royal in-law’s fashion.
Back to the hockey engagement: Beyond mirroring Catherine’s style, Sophie’s look was spot-on for the expectations of the day, which included a training session with the team’s goalkeeper, Miriam Pritchard.
Sophie showing off her sporty side? Yet another commonality with the Princess of Wales.
