This look might not have hit all the right notes.
Kate Middleton made a surprise video appearance at the finale of the Eurovision Song Contest on Saturday, and while her stunning blue gown — and piano playing — wowed many royal fans, some of Meghan Markle’s supporters accused her of copying one of the duchess’ looks.
The Princess of Wales, 41, wore a billowing, one-shouldered blue dress by Jenny Packham ($4,917) for her piano performance, which was recorded at Windsor Castle ahead of the Eurovision 2023 finale.
She joined last year’s Eurovision winners — Ukraine’s Kalush Orchestra — for the piece, with the bright blue frock perhaps serving as a nod to one of the colors of the war-torn country’s flag.
Some Sussex fans on Twitter seemed to take issue with Middleton’s blue look, with one writing, “Kate is copying Meghan again. Same color. Same shoulder. Kate is soooooooo dull.”
Others took issue with the apparent double standards rather than who wore it first. “I thought royal insiders and palace sources said it was filthy and classless for royalty to wear off-the-shoulder dresses like the one Meghan the Duchess of Sussex wore to the @NAACP Awards,” one person said.
The Twitter user shared a side-by-side comparison of the two wearing their blue gowns, continuing, “I guess it is only against protocol when the Black duchess does it & not Kate Middleton.”
While some thought the similarities were uncanny, another royal fan pointed out that “Diana did it first,” sharing a snap of Princess Diana wearing a one-shouldered blue frock at a 1996 event in Australia.
Comparisons aside, the royal is apparently loving the one-shouldered style as she previously wore a white Alexander McQueen dress to this year’s BAFTAs and a red McQueen look in one of her 40th birthday portraits last January in the same silhouette.
This also isn’t the first time Middleton’s paid a sartorial tribute to the Ukrainian flag, having worn a blue-and-gold polka dot dress and a blue sweater with a flag pin while visiting Ukrainian cultural centers in the past.
The princess wore her hair in a wavy style as she played in the opening of the Eurovision final, adding the late Queen Mother’s dazzling Sapphire and Diamond Fringe Earrings to her elegant ensemble.
While Kate has worn the earrings on several occasions dating back to 2015, she notably wore them for her last piano performance, which took place at the 2021 Together at Christmas carol concert.
The Prince and Princess of Wales shared a clip of her performance on their Instagram account to rave reviews, with one fan writing, “So the Princess of Wales is beautiful, kind, would look stunning even in a burlap sack, can walk gracefully in 3 inch heels in the snow, and can also play the piano. Is there anything she can’t do?!?”
While most royal watchers seemed to be loving the surprise video, another faction thought that the “cringe” royal faked her piano skills.
However, the Princess of Wales is known to be an accomplished pianist, having studied the instrument since she was a child and previously playing in public at the aforementioned 2021 carol concert.
Her blue moment comes after a series of patriotic outfits for King Charles III’s coronation weekend, with the mom of three wearing everything from a red trouser suit to a 1980s-inspired blue Self-Portrait dress.
She showed up at Westminster Abbey for the big ceremony in a stunning white gown and floral headpiece, matching 8-year-old daughter Princess Charlotte’s look.
Perhaps the two can team up for a mother/daughter duet next time.
