A month before the Royal Wedding in 2011, Kate undertook her first official engagement with Prince William, near their home in Anglesey in North Wales. She helped her husband-to-be christen a new lifeboat for the Trearddur Bay Lifeboat Station. For this important engagement, she wore her Aquatalia Rouge boots in brown suede.
It looks like the Duchess owns the boots in black suede too. She donned a very similar pair to a conference back in 2018. (Unfortunately, this is the best photo from the event, not many photos were taken.)
About the Aquatalia Rouge boots –
The classic ankle boots have a 3 ¼ inch heel, a 3 ¼ inch platform and silver-toned metal detailing on the strap/buckle fastening.
The shoe upper is made from waterproof suede. They also have a full inside zipper and rubber outsoles. Like all of Aquatalia’s shoes, they are made in Italy.
The original Aquatalia Rouge boots came in leather and suede fabrics in a number of colours (see patent black leather, below).
Zappos sold the boots back in 2011. After Kate were them, they wrote this on their site:
Future Queen of England, Kate Middleton, was seen at her first official royal duty sporting a hot pair of the ravishing Rouge ankle boots from Aquatalia by Marvin K. …. The slightly pointed toe, accent strap and breathable microfiber lining are fitting for a future queen.
Zappos
Hang on… doesn’t Kate wear the Aquatalia Royal bootie?
Sometimes, these boots are referred to by a second name, ‘Royal’. This is because they were reissued to Nordstrom using that name (after Kate wore them).
Here’s how Nordstrom described the boots at the time:
Silvertone hardware details the side of a weatherproof bootie fashioned with an elastic inset at the side for an easier fit. The slip-resistant rubber sole offers excellent wet-weather traction, while the soft microfiber lining keeps feet dry.
Nordstrom
…so, Ruby Dry?
Confusingly, the boots are known by a third name too, Ruby Dry!
In the UK, Russell and Bromley sell the Aquatalia boots under the name ‘Ruby Dry.’
Where to buy the Aquatalia Rouge boots:
Sadly, the Aquatalia Rogue and Royal boots are both sold out. If you must own the exact same style, check out eBay. There are normally a few pairs listed on the site.
Kate Middleton wearing Aquatalia boots:
The Duchess owns six pairs of boots by Aquatalia, including the Rouge style in two colours (pictured above), the Neptune and the Rhumba style (all pictured below).
