Donna Aylmer’s joy turned into astonishment when her twins were born in 1997. Lucy and Maria, identical twins, looked entirely different. Lucy had red hair, blue eyes, and fair skin, while Maria had dark hair, brown eyes, and brown skin. Lucy recalled, “When the midwife handed us both to her, she was just speechless.”

Born to mixed-race parents in Gloucester, England, the sisters had a unique genetic twist. The odds were 1 in 500 for twins from multiracial couples to look so different. Lucy and Maria are fraternal twins, each inheriting different traits from their parents. Lucy resembled her grandmother’s fair complexion.

Throughout their lives, they faced skepticism about their relation. They stopped dressing alike at seven, and Maria studied law, while Lucy pursued art. Despite differences, their bond grew stronger. Lucy said, “We may not look alike, but both of us share the same smile, and that, in my opinion, is simply beautiful.”