This is not the first occasion Mrs Middleton has dipped into her daughter’s wardrobe

The Princess of Wales’s mother, Carole Middleton, sported a recognisable blue fedora adorned with bronze feather trim at Cheltenham today.

The hat, a piece from British countrywear label Hicks & Brown, belongs to her daughter Catherine.

Carole and Michael Middleton made their first public outing of the year today when they stepped out at Cheltenham Racecourse.

The couple, who were photographed alongside actor James Nesbitt and television presenter Natalie Pinkham, last appeared publicly at Catherine’s Together at Christmas carol service held at Westminster Abbey in early December.

Princess of Wales’s hat appears on Carole Middleton’s head at Cheltenham

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Today’s appearance at the prestigious horse racing event seemed to be Mrs Middleton’s debut at the annual Cheltenham Festival.

Catherine was previously spotted wearing the same Hicks & Brown “Suffolk” fedora on January 5, 2020 when she attended a Sunday service at the Church of St Mary Magdalene on the Sandringham estate alongside Prince William.

This is not the first occasion Mrs Middleton has dipped into her daughter’s wardrobe. At Royal Ascot in 2022, she wore an identical pink ME+EM dress that Catherine had also been seen in.

The Duchess of Edinburgh has also been photographed in the same style of Hicks & Brown fedora in a beige shade, suggesting the British brand’s country-inspired headwear has become something of a royal favourite.

Carole Middleton and Michael Middleton at Cheltenham today

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Mrs Middleton accessorised today’s outfit with a dark Hermès Birkin bag, a luxury item valued at approximately £50,000.

The handbag, crafted from black ostrich skin with gold hardware, coordinated perfectly with her chocolate-brown suede boots and leather gloves.

For her ensemble, the Princess of Wales’s mother chose a longline blue-grey check coat, which she wore buttoned up against the Gloucestershire chill. A caramel-toned faux fur scarf and floral drop earrings completed the look.

Notably, neither Catherine nor her sister, Pippa Matthews, has been photographed wearing the iconic French brand, making this a distinctive personal choice.

The Princess of Wales donned the hat back in 2020

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Zara Tindall and Carole Middleton both pictured today at Cheltenham

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Queen Camilla was also present at the racecourse today. As a royal patron of The Jockey Club, one of Britain’s largest commercial horse racing organisations established in 1750, she took the opportunity to meet several female jockeys.

Among them were Grand National winner Rachel Blackmore and Aamilah Aswat, who made history as the first black woman to win a jump race in the United Kingdom.

Mike and Zara Tindall, who attend the festival annually, were spotted on day two of the races.

Mrs Tindall, an Olympic silver medallist in equestrian and a member of the Cheltenham Racecourse committee since 2019, opted for a burgundy outfit. The four-day event continues through Friday.