She is the Princess of Wales’s discreet right-hand woman, but Natalie Barrows’s recent outfit choice catapulted her straight into the limelight.
One of her most trusted aides, Ms Barrows accompanied Kate and Prince William for their official trip to Scotland on January 20.
While she has typically kept a low profile, the future Queen’s assistant private secretary drew the attention of eagle-eyed royal fans who noticed she was twinning with Kate in near-identical navy tartan coats.
And this isn’t the first time Ms Barrows has ‘twinned’ with Kate since she started working for the Palace in 2017.
When Kate, then the Duchess of Cambridge, visited the Natural History Museum in October 2019, the duo donned remarkably similar burgundy ensembles.
Kate and Ms Barrows also stepped out in matching navy jackets when they visited South Wales in February 2020.
Second in command of Kate’s team of aides, Ms Barrows undertakes a position similar to a chief of staff as she does everything from coordinating her correspondence and making travel arrangements to organising her diary and planning her engagements.
Since joining the palace staff in her vital role, Ms Barrows is believed to have developed a close friendship with Kate – and what seems like a shared fashion sense.
While she has typically kept a low profile, the future Queen’s assistant private secretary Natalie Barrows (left) drew the attention of eagle-eyed royal fans who noticed she was twinning with Kate in near-identical navy tartan coats during a recent visit to Scotland
When Kate, who is patron of the Natural History Museum, visited its Angela Marmont Centre in 2019, she opted to wear a berry-coloured turtleneck from Warehouse.
Ms Barrows’s burgundy coat matched the then-Duchess’ scallop-trimmed blouse perfectly as they were photographed together while arriving at the London attraction.
The following February, Kate and William travelled to South Wales for a joint engagement as the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge.
The princess arrived wearing a £349 navy Hobbs jacket with gold buttons in the centre as she looked typically stylish.
While Ms Barrows did not accompany the royal couple, she was spotted wearing a similar coat just days earlier when she was photographed with the princess in London.
They were not a perfect match at Wimbledon, but Kate and Ms Barrows both opted for well-tailored double-breasted blazers worn over flowy, midi skirts that were paired with pointed stiletto heels.
The mint green Balmain blazer the then-Duchess wore for the occasion quickly sold out afterwards in a remarkable example of the now-famous ‘Kate Effect’.
A photo of Kate and Ms Barrows showed the dedicated staffer rushing to hand the royal her white Mulberry bag to complete the ensemble.
When Kate, then the Duchess of Cambridge, visited the Natural History Museum in October 2019, the duo donned remarkably similar burgundy ensembles
When Kate visited South Wales in February 2020, the princess opted for a £349 navy Hobbs jacket with gold buttons in the centre. Just days earlier, Ms Barrows was pictured in a similar coat during an engagement in London
They were not a perfect match at Wimbledon, but Kate and Ms Barrows both opted for well-tailored double-breasted blazers worn over flowy, midi skirts that were paired with pointed stiletto heels
When Kate greets members of the public during royal walkabouts, Ms Barrows is typically always just a few steps behind the princess.
After Kate and William finished a tartan-weaving lesson at a local studio in Stirling, Scotland, the pair were seen posing for selfies with well-wishers while accepting bouquets.
Ms Barrows was right behind Kate as she knew the right moment to step in and help her carry the flowers, cards, and any other gifts the princess received.
In her role, which requires a thorough understanding of royal etiquette and discretion, Ms Barrows has quietly been one of the most important people on Kate’s team.
However, the matching tartan jackets propelled her into the spotlight as Ms Barrows wore a coat that was a near-identical replica of Kate’s custom design.
On closer inspection, it was revealed that Ms Barrows’s coat was a shade darker than Kate’s and featured a different pattern to the one woven by Johnstons of Elgin for Her Royal Highness.