Royal watchers have been comparing Kate Middleton in 2013 and 2024, after discovering she wore the same hat both years to attend the Christmas Day church service at Sandringham.
Kate, 42, joined King Charles, Queen Camilla, the Prince of Wales and other senior members of The Firm for the royal walk around her Norfolk estate after the Christmas Day service at St. Mary Magdalene on Wednesday.
Delighted to see the princess, who was diagnosed with cancer earlier this year, looking healthy and happy, well-wishers offered their greetings, compliments and gifts to Kate during her most significant public appearance of 2024.
And this praise continued online.
The mother of three donned a green Alexander McQueen coat for her outing this year, which she paired with a matching hat.
She wore the hat that time in 2013, pairing it with a fitted navy and green coat.
In the intervening years, Kate gained a major new title: In 2013, two years after her 2011 wedding to Prince William, she was known as Duchess of Cambridge.
However, following the death of Queen Elizabeth II in September 2022, she became Princess of Wales.
THEN: Kate Middleton, the then Duchess of Cambridge, is pictured attending the 2013 Christmas Day church service at Sandringham.
Many royal fans took to X (formerly Twitter) to note how little her appearance has changed in the past 11 years.
One admirer wrote: ‘How did she get even more beautiful in the last 10 years?’
Another added: ‘And the same hat! Very sensible. Recycling. “She is just amazing, inspiring, genuine and beautiful.”
Similarly, another X user said: “Beautiful then and beautiful now.” I can’t believe it’s been 11 years. Wow!’
Another enthusiastic fan wrote: “Princess Catherine really seems to have discovered the secret to eternal beauty – maybe it’s a royal family spell!” The older you get, the younger and more radiant you look. Maybe we should all start calling her the ‘Eternal Princess’! Truly magical.’
“She hadn’t changed at all, but her smile is more beautiful today,” another social media user wrote.
And another added: ‘Bless his good heart. HRH deserves every ounce of happiness the world has to offer!’
Another poster took to the platform to share their thoughts, writing: “She is as beautiful now as she was then.” Beauty comes from within.’
NOW: The now Princess of Wales is seen wearing the same hat 11 years later, prompting fans to comment on social media.
Meanwhile, another pointed out how the royal has flourished as part of The Firm, adding: “She has certainly grown into her role.”
Each year, members of the Royal Family attend the service at Sandringham Church.
Before entering, those present, including the King and Queen among others, posed for a photograph outside the church.
The Reverend Canon Dr Paul Rhys Williams greeted them, before everyone entered, where the national anthem was sung, before the first hymn: O Come, All Ye Faithful.
Each year, the service marks a major event for royal fans, some of whom even began waiting the night before, hoping to catch a glimpse of members of The Firm as they walked to the church.
Charles, 76, and Queen Camilla, 77, walked the short distance from Sandringham House to St Mary Magdalene Church, among a crowd of well-wishers.
Royal fans took to X (formerly Twitter) to congratulate the royal, with one saying she has “grown into her role” over the past decade.
They were, of course, joined by the Welsh, as well as the Princess Royal and the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh.
The crowds were presented with copies of the order of the service, held at St Mary Magdalene Church in Sandringham, led by the rector, the Right Reverend Canon, Dr Paul Rhys Williams.
Hymns included Oh, come all ye faithful!, O little city of Bethlehem, as the shepherds watched over their flocks by night! and Listen! The herald angels sing. The service also included the Lord’s Prayer.
For the Royals, the festivities usually begin when everyone arrives on Christmas Eve. The family opens their gifts, some of which are jokes, one of the traditions of the Royal Family.
The family then attends services at St. Mary Magdalene Church on Christmas morning. Once they get home, Christmas lunch is served, followed by games in the afternoon.