There’s no escaping the parallels between Crown Princess Rajwa of Jordan and Kate Middleton. Both are queens-in-waiting, having married future monarchs. Both are credited with injecting a fresh, modern energy into their royal households. And both, most importantly, reign supreme in the style stakes.
Royal watchers have long noted that when it comes to wardrobe inspiration, these two have been known to raise each other’s game. And this week, it was Princess Rajwa’s turn to channel Catherine’s sartorial playbook. Jordan’s Princess looked effortlessly elegant as she celebrated the 10th anniversary of the Guardian of the Covenant Foundation, alongside her husband Crown Prince Hussein.
Her look consisted of a belted floral-appliquéd ribbed midi dress in navy by Self-Portrait, one of the Princess of Wales’ go-to labels for formal royal occasions. She accessorized the piece with a favorite Bottega Veneta clutch and mules by A-list-approved Malone Souliers. She kept her dark hair loosely curled, make-up simple and looked confident as she arrived for the engagement alongside her husband.
Kate Middleton is famously a fan of Self-Portrait, recently debuting a new dress at a Buckingham Palace garden party this summer. Her look was comprised of a frothy polka dot skirt and structured blazer complete with a large floral appliqué. The dress was similar to a number of other pieces in the Princess’ wardrobe, including the chiffon and lace creation she wore to the Order of the Garter ceremony in 2025, and the lime green creation she wore to Wimbledon in 2023. Catherine also wore a “two-in-one” style Self-Portrait dress on Easter Sunday.
The Princess of Wales is a firm fan of Self-Portrait and has worn the brand on a number of occasions, including to the reopening of the National Portrait Gallery in 2023
Neil Mockford
The Princess of Wales more recently debuted a polka dot creation by Self-Portrait at a Buckingham Palace garden party
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Comparisons between the Princess of Wales and Princess Rajwa have existed since the Jordanian royal’s relationship with the Crown Prince became public. Although they both lived “normal” lives before marrying into their respective royal families, Rajwa boasts a royal pedigree. The daughter of Khaled Al Saif and Azza Al Sudairi, her mother is a scion of the Al Sudairi dynasty, which has ties to the Saudi Arabian royal family. Princess Rajwa, therefore, is a first cousin twice removed of the nation’s monarch, King Salman. Indeed, the future Jordanian royal was born and raised in Saudi Arabia, before studying architecture at Syracuse University, where she graduated in 2017.
The whispers about their similarities intensified on the announcement of the engagement of Crown Prince Hussein, son of King Abdullah II and Queen Rania, to Rajwa in August 2022. The pair met, not through university, but through a mutual friend, and their engagement ceremony was held at Rajwa’s father’s home in Riyadh.
The Prince and Princess of Wales (then Kate Middleton and Prince William) during the announcement of their engagement – Kate’s sapphire dress looks strikingly similar to that of Princess Rajwa in her own engagement announcement
Chris Jackson / Getty Images
To announce the happy news, the royal court shared an official portrait of the young couple that bore a striking similarity to the picture released to mark the engagement of Prince William to the Kate Middleton in November 2010. Like Kate, Rajwa looked radiant in royal blue as she stood next to her royal beau.
Jordan itself is a major thing in common for the two. Kate called the country home for several years with her parents, Carole and Michael Middleton, and has returned to visit with Prince William and their brood. Rajwa, of course, now calls Jordan home.
Style icon: Princess Rajwa, pictured in 2023 with her husband, wins praise for her sartorial prowess
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The Kate effect: The Princess of Wales, pictured at Wimbledon 2022, is among the most photographed women in the world
Karwai Tang
Then there was the 2023 wedding. Princess Rajwa was the star of the day, of course, in her breathtaking gown by Elie Saab. What did the Princess of Wales choose to wear for the occasion? Another Elie Saab creation, this one in the softest pink hue.
In their personal and public lives, Rajwa and Kate are also in alignment. Princess Rajwa welcomed her first child, a daughter named Princess Iman, in 2023. She will no doubt have had much to discuss with the Princess of Wales, who is mother to Prince George, 12, Princess Charlotte, 10, and Prince Louis, seven, and is passionate about children and early childhood development. Despite being relatively new on the royal scene (the Princess of Wales married into the family more than a decade ago, after all), Rajwa has proven herself to be exceedingly adept at handling the pressures and responsibilities of life in the spotlight – carrying out her royal engagements with ease.
With so much in common, it is perhaps not surprising the Princesses both lean towards the same polished designers that capture the essence of modern royalty, Self-Portrait among them.
The future Queen of Jordan has not been seen in public with the Princess of Wales since her 2023 wedding to Crown Prince Hussein.
Originally published by Tatler
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