Kate Middleton’s Commonwealth Day outfits from the last ten years are nothing short of perfection. From pastel pink to regal red, every look made a statement.
Here’s a complete breakdown of all her fashion moments at the service:
2015
Kate Middleton made her Commonwealth Day debut in 2015. She was heavily pregnant with her second child and looked elegant in a pastel pink Alexander McQueen coat.
Kate had first worn the coat to Trooping the Colour in 2013. It featured pearl buttons and a slightly oversized Peter Pan collar.
Kate paired the coat with a matching Jane Taylor hat, a pink satin clutch, and matching shoes, both by Prada.
Kate debuted a new pair of morganite gemstone earrings by Kiki McDonough at the service.
This was one of Kate’s final engagements before giving birth to Princess Charlotte in May 2015.
The Westminster Abbey service was attended by the late Queen, Prince Philip, the then-Prince Charles, and the then-Duchess of Cornwall. A recorded message from the Queen on the theme “A Young Commonwealth” was played during the ceremony.
2016
In 2016, Kate returned to the Commonwealth Day service alongside Prince William for their second time at the event.
The Princess wore a bespoke grey Erdem coat featuring an all-over pin-dot pattern with a scalloped lace overlay.
She teamed the coat with a matching wide-brimmed grey hat by John Boyd, a new grey suede clutch bag by Emmy London and a pair of coordinating heels by Rupert Sandsorson.
Kate finished her outfit with sparkling diamond and aquamarine drop earrings.
The royal couple joined Queen Elizabeth II, Prince Philip, and Prince Harry at the Abbey for the interfaith observance, which highlighted the theme “An Inclusive Commonwealth” that year.
2017
Kate did not attend the 2017 Commonwealth Day service. Both she and Prince William were notably absent from the ceremony — it later emerged that William was on a skiing holiday with friends in the Swiss Alps that week (a trip Kate did not join). Their absence drew some criticism in the press.
2018
In 2018, Kate was back at the Commonwealth service – this time visibly expecting Prince Louis (born the following month).
She repeated a navy wool coat by British label Beulah London (the “Chiara” coat), worn over a matching dress. The coat’s deep V-neck, single-button closure, and flared hem flattered her maternity style.
Kate paired the coat with a coordinated Lock & Co. wide-brimmed navy hat (the “Tiffany” drop-brim design).
Kate debuted the Jimmy Choo “Celeste” clutch in navy suede and wore her trusty Rupert Sanderson pumps in the same hue.
For a sparkling finish, she wore Queen Elizabeth’s floral earrings with a matching brooch – vintage pieces originally given to the young Princess Elizabeth in 1945.
Notably, 2018 marked Meghan Markle’s first Commonwealth Day appearance, as she joined Prince Harry and the rest of the royal family at the Abbey ahead of her May wedding into the family.
2019
Kate opted for a bold look in 2019, wearing a striking crimson Catherine Walker coatdress for the Commonwealth Day service.
The military-inspired coat, featuring structured shoulders and double rows of buttons, was a repeat from her 2014 tour of New Zealand (where she had first worn it while holding baby Prince George)
For this outing, Kate updated the styling with a coordinating red hat (in place of the pillbox hat she wore in 2014) and neutral suede accessories – a beige clutch and matching pumps by Emmy London – which made the vibrant coat stand out even more.
Kate’s hair was styled in an elegant updo beneath the hat, showcasing her new diamond earrings.
The Princess attended the 2019 service with Prince William, and notably alongside Prince Harry and Meghan (the Duke and Duchess of Sussex), who were expecting their first child.
2020
For the 2020 Commonwealth Day service, Kate recycled an eye-catching outfit in shades of deep red.
She brought back her custom “berry” red Catherine Walker coat, a fit-and-flare design with a velvet collar and cuffs that she had previously worn for Christmas church in 2018.
The Princess elevated the look with a new saucer-style hat by Sally-Ann Provan, trimmed with hand-made silk camellia flowers in matching tones.
Her accessories were perfectly coordinated: She debuted a pair of Mouawad ruby and diamond earrings (part of a jeweled set reportedly given to her as a wedding gift) and carried a burgundy velvet Prada clutch. She finished the ensemble with her burgundy suede Gianvito Rossi pumps. Perfection.
The March 2020 service became the final official engagement for Prince Harry and Meghan Markle as senior royals, as the couple withdrew from royal duties that spring. The Sussexes joined Kate, William and the extended family at the Abbey, making this the last time the two couples appeared together in an official capacity.
Unbeknownst to the congregation at the time, this 2020 gathering also occurred just days before the COVID-19 pandemic forced nationwide lockdowns in the UK, making it the last large Commonwealth Day celebration for two years.
2021
In 2021, the Commonwealth Day service was not held in person due to the global COVID-19 pandemic.
Instead, the royal family marked the occasion with a televised program called A Celebration for Commonwealth Day, broadcast on BBC One. Queen Elizabeth II shared her annual Commonwealth message via this special broadcast since she could not host the usual Abbey gathering
Other senior royals contributed video messages and virtual engagements highlighting the day’s themes.
2022
The Commonwealth Day service returned in March 2022 after the hiatus, and Kate stepped out in a regal sapphire-blue ensemble.
She debuted a bespoke Catherine Walker coatdress in rich blue wool crepe, inspired by the designer’s “Mayfair” coat, modified with an elegant velvet shawl collar.
In a nod to classic 1960s style, the Princess accessorised with a matching navy velvet pillbox hat by milliner Sean Barrett, complete with a bow accent at the back.
Kate’s accessories picked up the blue palette: she carried a navy suede Jimmy Choo “Celeste” clutch and wore Rupert Sanderson pumps in the same shade.
She also sparkled in sapphire and diamond jewellery, including oval drop earrings and a pendant necklace that coordinated with her engagement ring
2022 was Queen Elizabeth’s Platinum Jubilee year, and the service paid tribute to her 70 years of dedication. However, the Queen (then 95) did not attend the 2022 Commonwealth service – for the first time in recent memory – due to health and mobility concerns, and she asked Prince Charles to represent her instead,
During the ceremony, the Queen’s annual message was read aloud, in which she reaffirmed her lifelong commitment to service on this milestone anniversary.
2023
The 2023 Commonwealth Day service was the first under King Charles III’s reign, and the Princess of Wales (as she was now titled) rose to the occasion with a polished and meaningful outfit.
She wore a navy blue Erdem skirt suit from the designer’s pre-fall 2023 collection – a peplum-tailored jacket and mid-length skirt embroidered with a delicate white floral motif.
A matching deep navy hat by Sean Barret (with a sweeping brim and ribbon trim) and classic navy pumps completed the look.
Kate added a little sparkle to her look with Princess Diana’s sapphire and diamond earrings , and she pinned the Prince of Wales Feathers brooch to her lapel – a diamond emblem of her new role, gifted to her by King Charles.
For a finishing touch, the Princess carried a navy blue clutch and gloves, and was seen bracing against a gust of wind as she arrived, laughing as she held onto her hat
It was the first service held with King Charles as monarch, and he marked the moment by delivering his inaugural Commonwealth Day address, in which he paid tribute to his late mother’s lifetime of service.
2024
Kate did not attend the Commonwealth Day service in 2024. She was seen departing Windsor Castle with Prince William en route to London, but she did not join the royal family at Westminster Abbey for the ceremony, with palace sources reporting that the Princess of Wales had a “private appointment” that prevented her from attending.
This absence coincided with a minor royal controversy that unfolded that day – a Mother’s Day photograph of Kate and her children released by Kensington Palace was found to have been digitally altered, prompting Kate to issue a public apology on the morning of Commonwealth Day.
In her statement, she admitted to experimenting with photo editing and apologized for any confusion caused by the image.
Due to these events, Prince William attended the 2024 service alone, joining Queen Camilla, Princess Anne, and the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh in representing the family.
Despite Kate’s absence, the service carried on with its multi-faith celebrations of the Commonwealth’s global community, and media coverage noted that William appeared relaxed and in good spirits with his family, even as Kate “broke cover” later that day after the private engagement and apology had been addressed
The Princess’s notable absence in 2024 was a rare break in her otherwise consistent attendance at this annual event since 2015.
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