Sarah Ferguson channels Kate Middleton's style as she wears near-identical polka dot dress in Perth

Sarah Ferguson has channelled Kate Middleton 's style by stepping out in a polka dot frock as she visited a primary school today.

The Duchess of York is currently in Australia for her book tour and she stopped by Safety Bay High School and Waikiki Primary School in Perth to visit pupils.

The 65-year-old former wife of Prince Andrew made the trip down under just weeks after King Charles and Queen Camilla visited the country on a royal tour.

And it seems Sarah - who is often affectionately known as Fergie - took style tips from the Princess of Wales when packing her suitcase.

She opted for a monochrome polka dot tea dress, which falls just below the knee, consists of a large white contrasting collar and has pearl buttons.

This is remarkably similar to Kate's Alessandra Rich gown that she wore to an event at Bletchley Park in 2019.

The Princess of Wales donned a navy polka dot print maxi dress and also had a statement white collar and silver buttons.

Fergie opted to pair her ensemble with a pair of simple black loafers and her usual silver jewellery.

But it seems Fergie has looked to Kate for style inspiration more than once, as the duo were spotted wearing almost identical outfits on several occasions.

Fergie donned a sleek black gown with a crisp white cape detail over the shoulders that she wore for a charity gala in Cannes earlier this year.

It bore close resemblance to the frock Kate wore to the premiere of Top Gun: Maverick in 2022.

More recently, Sarah opted for a Safiyaa caped gown that was again similar to a gown from the same designer that Kate wore last year.

Today, Fergie was snapped reading a book to primary school children, along with posing for pictures with them in the playground.

The Duchess of York wore her red tresses loose, letting them fall past her shoulders in a casual style.

The mother-of-two wrote on Instagram: 'It was such a wonderful visit meeting and getting to know all of you at Safety Bay HS & Waikiki Primary School.

'I was especially excited to talk with the children about the environment, and discuss the many ways in which young people can make real change for our planet having introduced them to the and the work we're already doing.

'And what a pleasure it was to read to such a cheerful and engaged class at Waikiki!

'Thank you students and staff for welcoming me to your school and for being such a positive, bright light!'

Fergie was also given a bouquet of flowers from a pupil and beamed as she chatted to students in a classroom.

She posted some of the day from the day on Instagram and racked up comments from fans who commended her for the visit to the schools.

One wrote: 'It's incredibly heartening to see you take the time Sarah to spend time with those beautiful school children. There's no doubt they will treasure the memory of your special visit always!'

Another penned: 'You truly are my favourite royal just beautiful.'

A third said: 'Thank you for visiting our school! I'm so glad I managed to sneak in a little cameo in your last photo. Our students will never forgot this moment and neither will we!'

A fourth commented: 'Amazing, my boys were super lucky to have met you at Waikiki PS thank you!!'

Yesterday, Fergie showed off her sense of humour in her latest TikTok video, joking she's 'every day a bride' as she filmed herself getting ready for a book signing in Perth.

'Every day a bride! Every day a bride,' she laughed in the light-hearted post, as her make-up was touched up before the event.

She offered a behind-the-scenes glimpse into her preparations for the book signing, pulling faces at the camera.

Posing beside a bin, Fergie said: 'Just about to make my speech - in a waste bucket!'

'Life's too short to be serious all of the time!' she added in the caption of the video, showing a medley of humorous moments.