Kate Middleton could wear this on Pakistan royal tour – Princess Diana did in 1991

The royal tour of Pakistan officially kicks off on the 14 October and expectations will be high as all eyes will be on Kate to see what outfit choices she has made for this tour. Kate, who is already an expert in the art of diplomatic dressing, will embark on a new challenge as she travels to Pakistan with husband Prince William. In a statement released by Kensington Palace, it was confirmed that the Duchess of Cambridge and Prince William will arrive in Islamabad on Monday, October 14 and tour the country for a series of engagements covering conservation, national security matters, art and culture, woman’s empowerment and issues youth in the country face today. The tour is then due to wrap up on the 18 October.

The action-packed four-day tour will see Kate in a number of different outfits for each occasion, but will she follow in Meghan’s “sustainable” footsteps and re-wear some fan favourites? Or will she follow in Princess Diana’s footsteps and don several traditional styles?

The four-day tour has been described by aides as their “most complex” tour to date due to security and logistical considerations. 

With a cultural need for modest clothing and scorching temperatures of 88 degrees in the capital os Islamabad, Kate could potentially follow the lead of Princess Diana, who undertook a solo royal tour in 1991 to Pakistan.

In 1991, Diana was pictured wearing several traditional lightweight styles that bowed in respect to the fashion and culture of Pakistan.

In an interview with PEOPLE magazine, editor and founder of fashion blog WhatKateWore.com, Susan Kelley said: “I think we will probably see at least one traditional shalwar kameez – the top and loose trousers look – from Kate on this trip.

“Diana wore that look multiple times in Pakistan and I think she has on occasion looked to Diana for inspiration, while being careful not to copy her.”

Although Kate has not previously worn an outfit such as this, Kate did adopt a floaty Beulah dress and headscarf to visit a mosque in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia in 2012.

Previously Kate has been praised on her diplomatic dressing and has been branded “conscientious” and “respectful” by royal fans around the world. 

In 2017 on a royal tour of Germany and Poland, Kate dazzled in a number of outfits.

On the first day in Poland, the Duchess chose to wear a red and white -the colours of Poland – in a subtle and sartorial tribute to the country. While on tour she stuck to several of her favourite British Designers – Alexander McQueen, Jenny Packman, Temperley London and Emilia Wickstead –  as well as wearing pieces and accessories from local designers such as Polish fashion designer Gosia Bacynska.

It is very likely that Kate will take a similar approach on this tour. After all, there are some really tremendous designers either in Pakistan or with Pakistan roots that the Duchess could choose to wear.

Kelley said: “There’s one called Hassan Sheheryar Yasin (known as HSY), Asmi Jofa, Osman, who is British-based but also has Pakistani roots and tremendous history of Pakistan fabrics with vibrant colours and patterns.

“I think we’ll see the colour green incorporated [to represent the green flag of Pakistan], and I think we may see jasmine, the national flower used somehow in her clothing choices.

During Princess Diana’s tour of Pakistan, the royal opted to wear green – which is seen to be the customary colour of respect – when she visited the country.

Getting ahead of the game, potentially in preparations for her upcoming Pakistan tour, last week Kate was spotted wearing a pair of earrings – by Pakistani brand Zeen – for a meeting with Aga Khan in London. During the outing, the Duchess of Cambridge also decided to wear a gorgeous green dress by Aross Girl and Soler London.