Kate Middleton gave grey tweed a rich autumnal lift with burgundy cashmere and matching accessories for a visit to Chase Community Hospital in Bordon, Hampshire on Wednesday (11 November 2026).
The Princess of Wales debuted a Bella Freud trouser suit as she met babies, parents and health visitors to see an early-years project backed by her Centre for Early Childhood in action.
Here for the fashion? Jump to Kate’s outfit details.
The visit offered a close-up look at work Kate has helped bring to the UK. Health visitors are using the Alarm Distress Baby Scale, known as ADBB, to recognise babies who may need additional support with their social and emotional development.
ADBB is an observational approach that helps professionals interpret babies’ eye contact, facial expressions, sounds and activity during routine checks. Those small cues can help health visitors understand how a baby is engaging with the people around them and discuss any concerns with parents.
Kate joined a health and development review with six-month-old Enid and her mother, Amy Raynsford. Getting down onto a play mat, the Princess smiled and interacted with the baby, who held onto her finger.
“I love her slippers,” Kate remarked, according to Press Association’s report of the visit.
Amy, from Farnborough, explained that Enid had been referred for support after being born prematurely. The help had made it easier for her to understand her daughter’s cues. Her verdict on their royal encounter included a lovely, very relatable detail: “Enid behaved, so even better.”
The Princess also heard from other families and the health visitors supporting them, including a mother who described how the programme had helped rebuild her confidence.
Kate first saw ADBB in practice during her visit to Denmark in February 2022. She subsequently asked her Centre for Early Childhood to explore how it could be introduced in the UK, leading to work with the Institute of Health Visiting and two pilot phases across ten NHS sites.
This summer, the Centre announced a further £250,000 investment over three years to help expand the approach through training resources, guidance and ongoing support for professionals.
During discussions with staff, Kate was interested in the practicalities, too. “I hope that it’s adding something rather than feeling like it’s another thing or another burden,” she said of health visitors’ workloads, in remarks reported by The Sun.
The team at Chase was among those involved in the pilot. Hampshire and Isle of Wight Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust now plans to extend the training to its remaining 12 health visiting teams, according to the Royal Foundation’s account of the visit.
Kate’s outfit
The Princess mixed heritage tailoring with rich autumn colour for the hospital engagement. I love the burgundy accent that ran through the outfit—echoing the dark red overcheck running through the suit’s tweed. The rollneck, matching courts and a handbag pulled the colours together.
With the visit falling on Armistice Day, I wondered whether the red/burgundy colour might have been a subtle nod to the day—to the Remembrance poppy.
Let’s look at each piece in turn now.
The suit
Kate debuted a new Bella Freud suit, the designer’s Tweed Saint James Jacket and the matching Tweed Slim Kim Trousers in grey. Thank you to Middleton Maven for the ID.
The single-breasted jacket has a lightly fitted shape, structured lapels, patch pockets and a chest pocket. A contrasting red lining adds a flash of colour inside.
The matching trousers sit high on the waist and fit closely through the hips and upper thigh before opening into a gentle kick flare. It’s a shape that adds a little movement to the otherwise neat, tailored look.
Both pieces are crafted from 100% British designed and manufactured wool tweed.
The suit is still available at Bella Freud. The jacket costs £875 (approximately US$1,164) and the trousers £555 (approximately US$738), bringing the suit to £1,430 (approximately US$1,902). The latest stock check showed the jacket in UK sizes 6–16 and the trousers in sizes 6–14.
Bella Freud is already part of Kate’s wardrobe. She first wore the label’s Earl jacket and School Boy trousers in Prince of Wales check for visits to Suffolk and Kent on 11 September 2025, then repeated that suit at RAF Coningsby the following month.
The British designer established her namesake label in 1990. Alongside her tailoring, she is known for statement knitwear, including the distinctive ‘1970’ jumper.
The jumper
Under the suit, Kate wore her burgundy cashmere polo-neck jumper by Kiltane. The brand calls the colour Bordeaux. Its simple shape and ribbed neck and cuffs make it an easy layering piece, with the soft cashmere offering a contrast to the textured tweed.
Kate first wore the jumper to watch England play Papua New Guinea at the Rugby League World Cup on 5 November 2022. This takes its documented public outings to at least four, making it a familiar repeat in her autumn and winter wardrobe.
The jumper is still listed at Kiltane for £129 (approximately US$172), with only XL available at the latest check. Its earlier recorded price was £99.
Kate’s repeated appearances in this piece suggest it has earned its place among her cold-weather staples. The Princess owns at least one other Kiltane sweater, an off-white cashmere crew-neck worn in Derby in February 2023. The Edinburgh-based label specialises in cashmere, wool and knitwear.
The handbag
Kate carried the Smythson Day Cross-Body Bag in a deep burgundy shade listed by Harrods as Dark Cherry. The grained calf-leather design has a top handle, a detachable, adjustable strap and discreet silver-tone branding.
We first saw Kate carry the bag during her West Sussex Minibus visit last month. Bordon marks at least its second public appearance.
The bag’s recorded original price was £695 (approximately US$924). Harrods last displayed it at £417 on its UK site and US$525 on its US site. Sadly, the piece is no longer available to buy from Smythson or Harrods—it’s out of stock.
Smythson is a long-standing favourite of Kate’s. She also owns the black Panama East West tote, which she has carried while travelling to and from engagements, plus a few other designs.
Founded in London in 1887, the British house is known for its leather accessories and stationery.
The suede courts
Kate brought back her Gianvito Rossi’s Gianvito 85 pumps in burgundy suede. The pointed toes and slim 85mm heels give the trousers a clean finish, while the colour ties back to her jumper and handbag.
Kate debuted the shoes at a Windsor Castle tea party on 15 September 2026. Including Bordon, we have at least two public appearances for the 85mm version.
The shoes—which are still available to buy at Net-A-Porter—retail for $850 in the US and £710 in the UK.
Gianvito Rossi is one of Kate’s go-tos for footwear, with the Princess returning to the Italian label’s pointed courts in different colours and heel heights over and over again.
Founded in 2006, the brand focuses on Italian-made footwear with clean lines and carefully balanced proportions.
The earrings
Kate finished her outfit with Kiki McDonough’s Classics Green Amethyst Pear Drop Earrings. The pale green, pear-shaped stones are set in 18ct yellow gold, adding a softer note of colour alongside the grey and burgundy.
She debuted the earrings at Riversley Park Children’s Centre in Nuneaton on 15 June 2023 and has now worn them publicly at least seven times.
They are still available directly from Kiki McDonough for £895 (approximately US$1,190).
Kiki is a long-standing favourite of the Princess, whose jewellery collection includes several of the designer’s colourful gemstone pieces. Founded in London in 1985, the fine jewellery label is known for vibrant stones in wearable settings.
NOTE: Prices and availability were checked on 12 November 2026. Approximate US dollar equivalents use £1 = US$1.33 and are conversions, rather than US retail prices, unless stated otherwise.
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