Kate Middleton’s Best Looks Of All Time

From casual to couture, Kate Middleton’s outfits never fail to dazzle.

The Princess of Wales is a style icon, there’s no doubting that fact! Her wardrobe choices boost economies, crash websites, influence global trends and command headlines all around the world.

For those of us who admire the Princess’s style, I thought it’d be fun to reminisce over some of her best looks to date! So, below, I’ve gathered 30 of her most memorable outfits from the past 13 years.

This ‘best of’ round-up is based on looks that have left a lasting impression, drawn from my personal preferences, blog comments, feedback from followers on social media and an outfit’s general reception in the press. Below, I’ll discuss why each one stands out. They’re listed in no particular order. Let’s explore my top 30 outfits:

1. The Gold Gown That Took Everyone’s Breath Away:

I HAVE to open the post with the show-stopping gold gown Kate wore to the most recent James Bond premiere. How could I not? It is a firm fan favourite!

Kate wore the gold gown in September 2021. It was her first proper evening gown in more than 18 months due to the pandemic. She returned to the red carpet with a bang! She stole the show. The gown brought a collective gasp from the world as a whole. Fans adored it. Media outlets splashed Kate on their front pages and daytime television shows poured over every inch of the look.

Jenny Packham designed the intricate shimmering dress in collaboration with the production company behind the James Bond Movies. It’s named after the Goldfinger film and was inspired by the famous scene where Jill Masterson gets covered in gold paint.

Kate doubled down on the gold theme by accessorising with the metallic colour too. She wore O’NITAA earrings, Aquazurra Fenix pumps and a mystery gold ring set with a yellow gemstone. The whole look was perfection from top to toe.

2. The Striking Red Look That Social Media Loved:

I asked my Twitter followers to share their favourite looks worn by the Princess and this striking red ensemble received multiple nominations:

I love it too—it’s one of Kate’s best workwear looks to date in my opinion. Kate chose the scarlet separates to deliver a keynote speech at an event hosted by The Forward Trust in October 2021.

She tucked a red Ralph Lauren polo neck sweater into a Christopher Kane maxi skirt and finished the look with caramel brown pumps by Ralph Lauren and a coordinating handbag by DeMellier.

The bag is popular with my readers, and it’s still available to buy. (Pssst, Kate owns it in blue too!)

3. The “Major Moment In Royal Dressing” According To Vogue:

Let’s look at this iconic style moment now:

The Princess attended a reception in Dublin, Ireland in early 2020 wearing a shimmering green dress by The Vampire’s Wife. The brand has a huge cult following—it is a favourite among fashion editors.

Vogue called it a “major moment in royal dressing“. They wrote that the Princess looked “demure-yet-directional. Dare we say, fashion.”

Fancy this dress for your next Christmas event? New Year’s party? Wedding? You’re in luck. It’s available to buy in green and it comes in a myriad of colour options to suit all.

The Princess paired the green dress with coordinating velvet pumps by Manolo Blahnik and a pair of gold statement earrings from H&M.

4. The Casual Outfit That I Love To Copy:

Let’s change tack and look at one of Kate’s best casual outfits now:

I’ve loved this look since Kate visited the Natural History Museum in 2021 and it’s one I try to emulate daily. I think it deserves a spot on this list for sure.

Though dressed down in jeans and sneakers, Kate still looks ‘put together.’ This is what I imagine she wears on her days off, running errands with the children or visiting the Middleton clan in Bucklebury.

The jacket is by Chloé, the jeans are by & Other Stories and the sneakers are Veja.

Her gold jewellery is by Orelia London (earrings) and All The Falling Stars (necklace).

5. The Elegant Outfit That Twitter Voted Top:

Now for an ensemble that received a lot of votes from my Twitter followers, from Ascot 2019:

This is one of my favourite outfits too—and EASILY one of Kate’s best looks to date in my opinion.

The Princess wore a bespoke version of a top and skirt from Elie Saab’s Resort 2019 collection. I love the bow neckline, pretty lace and polka dot embroidery:

Kate finished the look with a silver bag by the same designer, a pair of silver Gianvito Rossi 105 pumps, blue topaz earrings by Kiki McDonough and a coordinating hat from Philip Treacy’s 2016 collection.

In 2023, Kate wore the entire look from top-to-toe for a second time at a Buckingham Palace Garden Party.

(Though on this occasion, she swapped the earrings for another Kiki Mcdonough pair.)

6. The Flowing Yellow Dress That Was Polished Perfection:

Here’s Kate looking like a literal ray of sunshine in this elegant yellow dress by Roksanda in Jamaica:

It was a positively polished look for the Princess, who was overseas representing the Royal Family. The vibrant and cheerful ensemble received a positive reception from all observing the tour.

The yellow dress featured a large oversized bow on the shoulder, cap sleeves and a mid-length skirt. I think Kate’s sweeping ponytail and chic Aquazzura heels gave an edge to the look.

The yellow dress got its second public outing just a few months later, at the Wimbledon Ladies’ Finals:

On this occasion, the Princess accessorised with different items, including a pair of white heels and some sparkling citrine earrings.

7. The Black Sweetheart Gown That Was A Fan Favourite:

Here’s another fan favourite, from the 2019 Royal Variety Performance:

Kate looked sensational in this black gown by Alexander McQueen. It was quite unlike anything she’d worn at the time. So glamorous! And we don’t often see the Princess sporting a sweetheart neckline, so that felt a bit novel too.

The dress featured a black floral lace overlay, a floor-sweeping skirt, sheer sleeves and velvet trim. Kate paired the black gown with Erdem earrings, a black velvet Jimmy Choo clutch and a pair of black velvet Jimmy Choo pumps. I’m hoping we’ll see this gown again one day.

8. The Proper Princess Gown That Was A ‘Moment’ For Kate:

Here’s another look I just had to include in my round-up:

Kate looked magnificent in this forest green gown by Jenny Packham during the Jamaica visit in 2022. Serious princess vibes.

She paired the dark green dress with heirloom emerald jewellery from the royal vault and green velvet heels. Perfection.

9. The Blue Bridal Gown That Was A Tour Highlight For Many:

I also must include this gown from the 2022 Platinum Jubilee Tour in my round-up:

The pale blue silky frock was a highlight for many fans. Kate wore the exquisite dress at a reception in The Bahamas. It’s by Phillipa Lepley, a couture wedding dress and evening wear designer based in London.

Kate wore eye-wateringly expensive accessories with this gown, including a pair of sparkling heels that cost more than my monthly mortgage payment and her Van Cleef and Arpels suite that is worth multiple thousands.

10. The Teal Gala Look That Was Sheer Perfection, Twice:

No ‘best outfits’ list would be complete without the teal Aspen Gown by Jenny Packham:

The gown’s intricate lace back and vivid colour earn it a place in this round-up. Kate debuted the beautiful frock at a gala dinner ahead of the London Olympic Games in 2012. I remember her hair was widely talked about at the time too, it was one of the first times she’d sported an updo!

The Princess accessorised with a matching clutch bag, also by Packham, and a pair of silver teardrop earrings (still unidentified, and likely to be costume jewellery). She finished her look with a pair of metallic Jimmy Choo sandals.

In 2018, Kate sported the eye-catching look once again for a Tusk Trust Gala Dinner:

This time, she wore her hair down with bouncy curls. She also switched out her costume jewellery for a pair of priceless diamond earrings out of the royal vault.

11. The Glittering Gown That Caused A Stir On Social Media:

Those who have followed Kate’s style since the beginning will know why this gown made my best-of list:

It caused SUCH a stir on social media at the time. Six weeks after their nuptials in 2011, William and Kate attended their first gala as a married couple. For the engagement, the Princess wore this dreamy pink pearlescent gown by Jenny Packham. The designer described the garment as “ethereal”.

As Kate stepped out onto the event’s purple carpet, fans took to social media. There was quite a buzz around the look. It was the first time we’d seen the Princess in a gown since her wedding day. The occasion brought back all the lovely warm feelings from watching her walk down the aisle. It was an iconic style moment. She looked spectacular.

The Princess paired the dress with a pair of pink suede sandals by L.K. Bennett that were topped with a bow. Demand for the shoes crashed the company’s website! She also carried a bag by Prada and wore Links of London’s ‘Stiletto Bubble Drop’ earrings. The latter were highly sought after by Kate fans for years!

12. The Ice Pink Suit That Showed The Princess Meant Business:

In recent years, Kate’s become known for her collection of bold and bright suits so I wanted to include one on this list:

This is a particular favourite of mine—I love the punchy ice-pink colour. It’s by Alexander McQueen.

Kate first wore the eye-catching ensemble to host a roundtable with Government ministers and the Early Years sector in 2022 (above), to mark the release of new research from the Royal Foundation Centre for Early Childhood.

She paired the pink suit with tonal pumps by Emmy London (the Rebecca shoe in the colour ‘Makeup’). She also carried a ‘writing folder’ by Smythson and finished the look with her Mappin & Webb Empress pendant and matching earrings.

Fast forward a year, and the Princess wore the look for a second time, with different accessories:

During a visit to the Foundling Museum in London, Kate switched out the dark pink shoes for a white pair by Gianvito Rossi, pearl earrings by Maria Black and a coordinating pearl belt by Camilla Elphick.  Under the blazer, Kate changed her plain white tee for a coordinating pink blouse. Sadly, I don’t know where this piece is from.

13. The Autumnal Outfit That Every Professional Saved To Their Pinterest Boards:

This has always been a standout look for me:

Wide-legged culottes? Check. Chanel handbag? Check. scalloped knit? Check. Skyscraper block heel pumps? Check. What’s not to love?

I see young professionals up and down the country saving this outfit as workwear inspiration. Kate wore the ensemble to visit the Angela Marmont Centre (AMC) for UK Biodiversity at the Natural History Museum in London in October 2019.

The colours were an ideal choice for autumn—a mix of rich burgundy and deep khaki green—while the relaxed culottes felt fashion-forward for Kate.  It was great to see that gorgeous Chanel handbag make a reappearance too. 

14. The Dress That Literally Broke My Blog Due To Its Popularity:

I have no idea if this dress “broke the Internet” but it certainly broke my blog:

I posted it to Facebook and it sent a PHENOMENAL amount of traffic to my site, overloading my server and causing everything to crash, sending my website offline for hours.

It was like nothing I’d experienced before. Or since. People loved the dress. I certainly liked it. The length, the square neckline, the tiers, the colour, the pattern, the smocking… everything! (Kate wore it in Belize in March 2022.)

The Princess paired the blue midi dress with her Stuart Weitzman Minx wedges—a complete blast from the past! She’s owned these sandals for the best part of a decade and we assumed she’d retired them. Alas not! She finished the look with a pair of statement earrings by Sézane. The whole look was vibrant, summery and fresh.

I am 100% convinced Kate will have packed this frock in her suitcase for her summer holidays! It’s ideal for the beach.

Sadly, the blue midi is sold out and Tory Burch told me they do not plan to reissue the print. They do, however, sell the same dress in yellow at the time of writing (23rd Feb 2024).

You can also hire Kate’s blue floral version from renttherunway.com.

15. The Glitzy Hollywood Gown That Sent Everybody Crazy:

Another look from 2011 that OG fans will remember. This was a moment:

It was from William and Kate’s visit to the United States in 2011. The Princess stepped out on the red carpet at a BAFTA event in Los Angeles wearing a stunning lilac gown by Alexander McQueen.

The sweeping skirt, soft pleats, lovely lilac colour, glittering accessories and those Jimmy Choo sandals! We loved it all. It was so exciting to see her on the red carpet, mingling with glitzy Hollywood stars. But really, we just loved seeing her in another gown. It was so rare at the time!

The Princess finished the look with a Jimmy Choo clutch and a pair of Queen Elizabeth II’s blingy chandelier drop earrings.

Kate brought back the gown a DECADE later, in 2021, for the launch of William’s Earthshot Awards.

On this occasion, she accessorised the lilac frock with a different belt and swapped her diamond earrings for a gemstone pair.

It was a strategic play for the Princess, she knew that the throwback would garner media coverage ensuring additional press coverage for William’s big night. Bravo Kate, bravo.

16. . The Fashion Forward Off-Shoulder Dress That We All Loved:

When Kate debuted this off-shoulder dress by Barbara Casasola in 2016, it felt quite bold and fashion-forward.

Kate fans loved it, magazine editors loved it—it received a lot of attention across the board. It was also a popular look with my Twitter followers. The Princess paired the frock with an unidentified beaded silver clutch and a pair of pink suede sandals. It was a strong look.

In 2019, Kate wore the dress again, at a gala dinner in recognition of Addiction Awareness Week.

This time, her sparkling ombre shoes by Jimmy Choo set tongues wagging.

The Princess finished the look with a Wilbur and Gussie clutch and a pair of gemstone hoop earrings that added a pop of blue to the ensemble.

17. The Princess-Worthy Pink Gown That Everybody Loved:

This was another moment for Kate—the 2019 100 Women in Finance gala:

I think a lot of people were wowed by this pink ombre Gucci gown (myself included). A real princess look, I’m sure you’ll agree.

Kate paired the pretty dress with a deep maroon clutch by Prada, glittering pumps by Oscar de la Renta and pink morganite earrings by Kiki McDonough.

I love the gown’s unique bodice and two-tone colouring. I hope we see this one again before too long.

18. The Well-Loved Look Lauded As ‘Angelic”

Kate looked magnificent in this Alexander McQueen gown during a visit to Norway in 2018:

The look received a fair few nominations and ‘likes’ on Twitter, so I had to include it in my round-up!

The blush-coloured ensemble featured a chiffon cape decorated with intricate embellishments on the shoulder.  One media outlet said Kate looked “angelic” in the garment—it’s hard to disagree with that!

Princess Kate accessorised with her Oscar de la Renta Cabrina pumps, the Jimmy Choo Celeste clutch and diamond jewellery on loan from the late Queen Elizabeth.

19. The Standout Look That We Definitely Need To See Again:

This eye-catching teal dress was a standout look from the 2016 India Tour. Everybody loved it:

I’m confident that it’s one we’ll see again, it ticks all of Kate’s boxes: modest neckline, mid-length skirt—not to mention it’s really beautiful. Come on Kate, bring this one back in 2024! I think it has serious garden party potential.

Designed by Temperley London, the frock features a unique fluted skirt and high neckline. Kate paired it with nude accessories (L.K. Bennett Natalie clutch and the Fern heels by the same company). She finished the look with a pair of blingy green tourmaline and amethyst oval drop earrings by Kiki McDonough.

20. The Pretty And Versatile Outfit That Worked For A Varied Itinerary:

Here’s another outfit that’s one of my personal favourites:

It isn’t a floral print dress. It’s a skirt and top ensemble. It’s by Erdem and the Princess wore it during a visit to Poland. It was a stand-out look from the 2017 tour and I’d love to see her wear this again.

During the day, William and Kate undertook a varied itinerary. They visited a former Nazi concentration camp, watched cooking demonstrations in a bustling market, toured a theatre, attended a reception, visited a museum and laid flowers at a monument. The versatile outfit worked for all engagements; the dark tones particularly suited the more sombre moments of the day.

Kate paired the floral separates with a pair of Stuart Weitzman sandals and a clutch from Polish brand Etui—her jewellery was never identified.  (It was speculated that they were gifted to the Princess during the tour, as it looks like they’re crafted from amber, a gemstone widely found in Poland and associated with the country)t

21. The Striking Teal Look With Hidden Significance:

The Princess turned heads last March when she stepped out in this vivid teal-blue ensemble:

The Princess wore the striking look to the Irish Guards’ annual St Patrick’s Day Parade.

The gorgeous coat fit with military precision, it looked regal and the tone-on-tone look grabbed attention. It was certainly her best St Patrick’s Day look to date, in my opinion.

We’d got used to the Princess wearing green to this annual event, so the teal-blue was quite the departure. But Kate wanted to stand out on this occasion, and rightly so.  It was her first parade as Colonel of the Irish Guards.  The blue hue was likely a nod to the plume used on both the Irish Guards’ hat and their regimental badge.  More details here. 

The Princess paired the gorgeous military-style coat by Catherine Walker with a Jane Taylor hat, plus gloves, a handbag and shoes all in the same tone. 

She finished the look with a pair of emerald earrings (she’s worn them in public for over a decade now, but their origin is unknown) and the Cartier gold shamrock brooch from the royal vaults. 

21. The Regal Electric Blue Look That She’s Worn Three Times:

Here’s another hit coat by Catherine Walker, an electric blue coat with velvet trim. What a sensational colour!

Kate’s worn the coat three times to date, and I wouldn’t be mad if she wore it again. It’s the outing in 2023, on Easter Sunday, that earns the look a place in my ‘best of’ list (above). I just love how Kate styled it, with the praline pumps. I think they give the ensemble a bit of an ‘edge’.

Kate debuted the coat at a Commonwealth service in 2022, but paired it with navy pumps on that occasion:

Though I must admit, I do prefer the hat she wore in 2022, I think it’s very elegant.

Kate brought back the coat for a third time in 2023, at a service of ‘Thanksgiving and Dedication’ in Edinburgh, Scotland to celebrate the King’s coronation.  So regal, a great look:

On this occasion, she swapped the sapphire jewellery for pearls, presumably as a nod to the memory of the late Queen (pearls are traditional ‘mourning jewellery’ in royal circles).

22. The Elegant, Casual & Cool Polo Look:

Staying with the blue theme, here’s a pretty look that I wanted to include from 2023:

I love how Kate styled this charming maxi dress from Beulah London at a charity polo match. The beige low-heeled slingbacks by Camilla Elphick and the blue Mulberry handbag were a fab choice.

She looked so casual and cool with her Finlay & Co sunglasses too. I aspire to look this elegant at events!

I bet she gets a lot of personal use from the frock, but it’s one I’d like to see her wear again in public, too. It’s a contender for a future Chelsea Flower Show, perhaps?

23. The Well-Loved Tonal Look That Epitomised Quiet Luxury:

In late 2023, Kate wore a super chic tonal beige ensemble to visit Nottingham Trent University: 

This look was popular with magazine editors and influencers alike, earning it a place on my best looks list. They described Kate as “taking on the quiet luxury trend” and praised her for the “spectacular” ensemble that “embraces autumn elegance.”

Up until this point, Kate had worn little other than blazers and suits for WEEKS.  It was getting a bit tiring. This light and airy coord was just the tonic we needed after almost two months of tailoring and (mostly) darker tones.

Search blog comments, forum posts and social media posts from the time and you’ll see style fans breathing a collective sigh of relief when kate stepped out in this outfit!

The sleek ribbed skirt and button-trim sweater were by Sézane, a fairly accessible brand for those of us who don’t have a Princess’s clothing budget—this certainly helped propel the look to popularity.  Kate finished the outfit with her bisque suede heels and her trusty taupe Tusting bag. 

24. The Refined And Professional Outfit That Drew Attention To Kate’s Cause:

I’ve included this outfit because I think it’s one of Kate’s most refined and professional ensembles to date:

Described by the Telegraph’s Acting Senior Fashion Editor as a “strong fashion look,” the Princess of Wales selected this sleek, fitted houndstooth dress by Emilia Wickstead for her visit to The Center of the Developing Child at Harvard University.

At Harvard, Kate participated in a roundtable discussion with child development experts. Kate’s a fervent advocate for early childhood development—and she understands the impact of media coverage on her causes. The look marked a departure from her usual style, blending business-like professionalism with chic elegance. I expect she chose the striking dress deliberately, knowing the frock would draw attention and generate media interest in a cause dear to her.

She paired the frock with her favourite heels in black and her blue Mulberry Harlow handbag.

25. The ‘Winter White’ Outfit That Shined At The Christmas Concert:

Here’s a recent outfit that was well received by all, from the Together at Christmas carol concert this past December:

Opting for winter whites for the grand occasion, the Princess paired a long ivory coat by Chris Kerr with a coordinating sweater, matching high-waisted trousers by Holland Cooper, pointy-toe pumps by Gianvito Rossi and a new Strathberry handbag. 

She finished the ensemble with her Van Clef and Arpels earrings, which added a touch of glamour to the ensemble.

The relaxed and flowy silhouette was a departure from the tailored looks Kate has become accustomed to in recent months.  

The look received a positive reception for its festive and sophisticated feel from influencers, fans, bloggers and media writers alike, earning it a firm place in our round-up.

26. The Sustainable Outfit Choice That Brought Attention To The Earthshot Awards:

Kate grabbed headlines with this bold outfit choice in 2022, at the Earthshot Awards in Boston:

In an eco-conscious move, Kate rented the neon green dress from Solace London. This striking choice marked a first for her – the first time she’d publicly announced using a clothing rental company, plus, we’d never seen her wear the highlighter green hue before.

The dress featured an off-the-shoulder neckline and a chic back split, which brought a glamorous edge to her look. The frock’s fitted silhouette further accentuated its elegance.

Kate enhanced the ensemble by debuting a dazzling emerald and diamond choker, once owned by the late Princess Diana.

27. The Vivid Look That Turned Heads In The Bahamas:

Another stunning look from the 2022 Caribbean tour now:

The Princess turned heads in this vibrant mint green dress by Self-Portrait during her first set of engagements in The Bahamas. The frock garnered significant positive attention during the overseas visit thanks to its elegant silhouette and striking colour.

She paired it with a pair of gold earrings from local designer Nadia Campbell and a pair of elegant white pointed heels by Jimmy Choo.

The graceful pleated dress, crafted from a fresh mint green chiffon fabric, offered a cheerful, spring-like feel. It undoubtedly holds a place among her most popular and admired outfits.

28. The Memorable And Glamorous State Banquet Look Befitting Of A Princess:

Let’s move on to one of Kate’s most memorable and glamorous looks to date:

The newly appointed Princess of Wales chose this dazzling white Jenny Packham gown for a State Banquet held in November 2022 to welcome the president of South Africa. It was one of her first significant appearances with her new ‘Princess’ title. The look felt befitting of her new role.

The show-stopping gown featured a clean-lined silhouette, long slit sleeves and padded shoulders finished with sparkling embellishments.

The Princess topped her look with her favourite Lover’s Knot Tiara, a sparkling Art Deco diamond brooch, a pearl bracelet and a simple white clutch.  She finished the ensemble with her super-expensive Swarovski crystal Gianvito Rossi pumps, for a touch of extra glam.

29. The Casual Chic Look That Was Well Received:

Next on my list, this casual yet polished outfit:

Kate wore the ensemble to unveil her Back to Nature Garden at the Chelsea Flower Show in 2019.  This relaxed and approachable look was widely met with positive reception following the engagement.

The practical choice of a white blouse, brown culottes and sneakers worked for the setting, and for the nature of the event.  

30. The Strong, Poignant Look With Connections To The Late Queen:

Let’s finish the article with a really strong yet poignant look, the ensemble Kate wore at Queen Elizabeth II’s funeral in 2022:

The Princess combined mourning tradition with subtle tributes to the late monarch.

The Princess wore a black coat dress by Alexander McQueen, which in a poignant twist, she’d worn in white at the monarch’s jubilee celebrations just three months prior. 

At the funeral, Kate wore a wide-brimmed black veiled hat by Sean Barratt with pearl jewellery that had connections with to the late Queen.  Pearls are traditionally worn by the royals to symbolise mourning and remembrance. 

The outfit struck a balance between respectful, traditional and personal. Its elegant, simple tailoring and clean lines reflected the solemnity of the occasion.  

Now tell me your favourite outfit!

Do you agree with my round-up, are these Kate’s best outfits to date? Or is your favourite missing? Add your opinion in the comments box below.