Chris Jackson-WPA Pool/Getty Images; Dave M. Benett/Getty ImagesPrince Harry and Cressida Bonas recently took their relationship public.
Stepping out as a couple is a big deal for commoners, but when a royal's involved, it could be an indication it's time to go ahead and book Westminster Abbey for the wedding (or at least get started on a princess bride Pinterest board).
Engagement rumors have surrounded Harry, 29, and Cressy, 25, for almost the entire duration of their yearlong relationship. But now that the royal redhead and beautiful blonde aren't actively trying to hide their romance, it really seems possible that the royal bachelor is preparing to propose.
If and when this happens, Cressy will gain Catherine, the Duchess of Cambridge (aka Kate Middleton) as a sister-in-law. And while there are some striking similarities between these women, Cressy and Kate also have their differences, too.
Let's have a look.
Common(er) Background: Neither Kate nor Cressy was born a princess. Prince William's wife certainly had some blue blood coursing through her from the get-go, but her parents Michael and Carole Middleton amassed their family's fortune through the development of Party Pieces, their party planning company. Prior to that, the pair both spent time as flight attendants for British Air. Mr. and Mrs. Middleton have three children together (Kate, Pippa Middleton and James Middleton) and have been married 33 years.
Cressy's family history is a bit glitzier, perhaps, but not as storybook perfect (on paper, at least) as the Middletons'. Her mother, Lady Mary-Gaye Curzon, a '60s It Girl, is the very wealthy daughter of the late Earl Howe. MG, as pals call her, has five children (Cressida being the youngest) from four different marriages.
As for the potential princess's father, Jeffrey Bonas? He comes from humble beginnings, and, per the Telegraph, grew up in "the back-streets" of south London as part of "a family of butchers." He achieved great success as an entrepreneur, has been married twice, and has two children--Cressy and her half-brother, Henry Alexander Bonas.
Drama Queens: Long before Kate met or gave birth to a future king, she was reigning supreme onstage! Video of the duchess as an 11-year-old surfaced earlier this year, showing the future duchess starring as Eliza Doolittle in a school production of My Fair Lady. She grew up to become a patron of the National Portrait Gallery and major supporter of the arts.
Cressy's love for the theater didn't end with childhood, either. She studied dance at Leeds University, sang at half-sister Isabella Anstruther-Gough-Calthorpe's wedding to Sam Branson this past May and earned rave reviews as an actress in multiple plays throughout college. She even had a racy role as a cheerleader in the U.K. television show Trinity.
Meet-Cute With a Prince: Kate got Prince William's attention in a 2002 St. Andrews University fashion show, modeling in a revealing ensemble to benefit charity. Cressy, however, was introduced to Harry by BFF Princess Eugenie.
Clearly, both left lasting impressions on the Windsor boys.
Fashion Face-Off: Kate's sense of style is polished and timeless, and it's becoming increasingly timeless since she married into the royal family. Cress, who has been dubbed the anti-Kate in certain circles, is known for her eclectic wardrobe, but she's always dressed classily and tastefully, too. She's yet to tackle a black-tie royal function, so we've mostly seen her casual ensembles (scrunchies, FTW). She appears to be a bigger fan of bright colors and taking risks than the duchess, but she always pulls her looks together in that boho-princess kinda way.
Both Kate and Cressy are happy to recycle their clothes, and brunette vs. blond debates aside, these women have incredible hair!
Calling it now: Kate and Cressy will be clothes-sharing, royal BFFs in no time.