At 56, she has the slim, athletic figure of a woman half her age.
So perhaps this goes some way to explaining why Carole Middleton has started to dress like her children.
Prince William’s future mother-in-law and her younger daughter Pippa, 27, wore almost identical outfits as they ventured out for a shopping trip in Chelsea.
Both women sported smart navy jackets over casual above-the-knee blue and white patterned skirts.
While Pippa opted for a belted trench coat from Marks & Spencer, her mother wore a smart blazer thought to be from upmarket High Street label Joseph, teaming it with a Nicole Farhi skirt and Jaeger bag.
Their ensembles were completed with flat black boots – a buckled biker-style that stopped just below the knee for Mrs Middleton, and a ruched pair from LK Bennett for her daughter, similar to the ones favoured by 29-year-old Kate.
While it is clear where the Middleton girls get their athletic physiques from, onlookers questioned whether Mrs Middleton’s outfit was a little too youthful and might have been more appropriate with a pair of low-heeled court shoes.
The mother of the bride also looked slightly drawn, which could be down to the strain of wedding preparations or her conversion to the controversial Dukan Diet, based on high-protein foods such as cottage cheese and prawns.
Mrs Middleton and Pippa have been indulging in an increasing amount of retail therapy as the April 29 wedding draws closer.
On Monday they spent several hours browsing high-end designer stores, including Jimmy Choo and Prada.
Pippa, who will be Kate’s chief bridesmaid, also visited the flower stand on Fulham Road once frequented by the Princess of Wales.
So perhaps this goes some way to explaining why Carole Middleton has started to dress like her children.
Prince William’s future mother-in-law and her younger daughter Pippa, 27, wore almost identical outfits as they ventured out for a shopping trip in Chelsea.
Both women sported smart navy jackets over casual above-the-knee blue and white patterned skirts.
While Pippa opted for a belted trench coat from Marks & Spencer, her mother wore a smart blazer thought to be from upmarket High Street label Joseph, teaming it with a Nicole Farhi skirt and Jaeger bag.
Their ensembles were completed with flat black boots – a buckled biker-style that stopped just below the knee for Mrs Middleton, and a ruched pair from LK Bennett for her daughter, similar to the ones favoured by 29-year-old Kate.
While it is clear where the Middleton girls get their athletic physiques from, onlookers questioned whether Mrs Middleton’s outfit was a little too youthful and might have been more appropriate with a pair of low-heeled court shoes.
The mother of the bride also looked slightly drawn, which could be down to the strain of wedding preparations or her conversion to the controversial Dukan Diet, based on high-protein foods such as cottage cheese and prawns.
Mrs Middleton and Pippa have been indulging in an increasing amount of retail therapy as the April 29 wedding draws closer.
On Monday they spent several hours browsing high-end designer stores, including Jimmy Choo and Prada.
Pippa, who will be Kate’s chief bridesmaid, also visited the flower stand on Fulham Road once frequented by the Princess of Wales.
