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Meghan Markle fans slam Kate Middleton's 40th birthday photoshoot: 'She's copying Meghan'

Marking Kate's 40th birthday on January 9, the photographs showcased a dramatic departure from the formal poses the duchess is usually seen in

Kensington Palace unveiled three striking new portraits of Kate Middleton, the Duchess of Cambridge, showing sides of her usually hidden from the public. However, the photos have stirred a backlash from fans of former royal Meghan Markle, who bemoaned the press coverage on her as compared to Kate.

Marking Kate's 40th birthday on January 9, the intimate photographs showcased a dramatic departure from the formal poses the duchess is usually seen in. The new series of pictures were captured by reputed Italian fashion photographer Paolo Roversi in Kew Gardens.

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"From the three photographs, you can see the three aspects of Kate's personality," a palace source told the Daily Mail. "There is the regal side to her — as you can see in the classic shot where she is looking off into the distance; there is the more informal image in the red dress as a modern woman at 40; and then there is the close-up, which offers a more intimate perspective."

Kate is seen looking into the camera, with her hand in the pocket of a one-shoulder red dress and her hair billowing over her shoulder. Her jewelry in the series is limited to just one pair of diamond earrings borrowed from the Queen's private collection. In some black and white shots, Kate is seen donning Princess Diana's Collingwood pearl and diamond earrings, while in the side-on portrait her engagement ring, also from Diana, is prominent. Meanwhile, all the dresses for the shoot were made by Alexander McQueen, the same design house that created Kate's wedding dress in 2011.

In one close-up shot, Kate is seen looking straight into the camera, wearing a recycled silk jacquard lace organza and tulle dress created from remnants of past McQueen collections stitched together. The new photos are slated to be added to the permanent collection of the National Portrait Gallery patronized by the duchess. The collection features other photographs of Kate including the Mario Testino engagement portrait with Prince William and her 2016 photoshoot for Vogue magazine.

"This is a fascinating departure from the early, very rigid images — the posed engagement photos and the later emphasis we've seen on family life, as well as her own natural style of photographing her children in familiar surroundings," former royal photographer Ian Lloyd said of the birthday series. "They are reminiscent of the Patrick Demarchelier images of Diana — black-and-white, minimalist background, very romantic. Both show women with growing confidence able to shine on their own, away from the family."

Fans of Meghan Markle, however, weren't too happy with the new photos and accused the media of double standards. "As much as the Royals and the press colluded to destroy Meghan's image, they are doing the opposite with Kate, glorifying her every move with 'fairytales' to the people," one tweeted. "Oh, is that Kate Middleton wearing a vulgar off-the-shoulder dress? And there's me thinking only Meghan broke royal protocol like that!" another wrote.

"I completely don't understand new photos of Kate Middleton for her 40 years old is because she mentioned Princess Diana and Queen Elizabeth and copying Meghan Markle by wearing a pocket dress when everyone was so rude about Meghan Markle wearing a pocket dress," someone else added.

Roversi, who captured the latest shots, is well known for his fashion and celebrity work. He has previously photographed a topless Kate Moss, as well as worked in campaigns for designers Dior and Yves Saint Laurent. The Paris-based photographer had nothing but praise for the duchess, describing the opportunity as "a true honor" and "a moment of pure joy". Roversi gushed over Kate, "I was moved by her warmth and friendly welcome and enchanted by her shining eyes that reflected the loveliness of her soul and her smile showing the generosity of her heart I have met a wonderful person, a person who, with her positive energy, can bring hope to the whole world."