Kate Middleton Style Blog

Kate Middleton’s Best Spring Outfits—13 Iconic Looks I’m Still Thinking About

Kate Middleton’s spring outfits are always a highlight of the royal fashion calendar.

Over the years, the Princess of Wales has mastered the art of warm-weather dressing—from vibrant coat dresses at palace garden parties to floaty florals and smart tailoring on tour.

Now spring has sprung, I thought it was the perfect time to revisit some of the Princess’s most iconic seasonal looks to date. Kate’s worn each outfit below during March-June throughout the last 14 years.

Whether you’re after outfit inspiration or just love a royal fashion moment, these timeless ensembles are worth a second (or third!) look.

1) A Mint Moment at the Palace Garden Party:

I’ve got to kickstart things off with this beauty. In 2022, Kate attended a garden party wearing an elegant mint-coloured dress.

The dress’s soft pastel colour and delicate design elements made it a perfect choice for spring.

The floaty midi dress featured a mid-length softly pleated skirt, long cuffed sleeves, a row of buttons down the front, pronounced shoulders, and a high ruffled “pie-crust” style neckline. It was a refined and graceful choice for the palace event.

Kate previously wore the frock in March 2019. At the time, a spokesperson confirmed an “independent dressmaker” created the garment for the Princess.

At the garden party, the royal style icon paired the frock with a matching fascinator by Philip Treacy, adorned with floral accents that enhanced the springtime feel of her ensemble.

In terms of accessories, Kate opted for a Hobbs London suede clutch in a matching hue and Jimmy Choo Romy 100 pumps in ‘Verdigris‘.

I love how Kate stuck to a tonal palette, a sophisticated choice.

Finally, Kate tied the look together with a pair of pretty gemstone earrings, the ‘Aquamarine Delicate Orb Earrings‘ from British company Carousel Jewels, in the same mint hue.

2) Sunshine Style in Sydney in Lemon Yellow

Ah, springtime in Sydney! Who can forget the lemon yellow broderie dress Kate wore to visit Taronga Zoo back in 2014? This iconic look captured the essence of the season with its vibrant hue and floral detailing.

Kate Middleton wears a yellow Broderie dress during a visit to a Sydney Zoo in Spring 2014.

Our favourite royal styled the sunny dress with her Stuart Weitzman Minx Wedges—a fan favourite at the time—her Kiki McDonough Citrine Earrings and an acorn necklace from Asprey London.

The Princess debuted the frock back in 2012 during a visit to the Solomon Islands. Back then, she paired it with the same wedges and earrings.

To this day, we do not know who designed the garment. At the time, we were told it was made by an ‘independent dressmaker.’ I wonder if it’s the same dressmaker that created the mint dress above?

Will we see Kate wear the dress again? I hope so—but it’s much shorter than the hemlines she gravitates towards today. So probably not. Could I see Princess Charlotte wearing this in her late teens and twenties? Absolutely.

3). A Polished Peplum in Canberra

Kate looked sleek and sophisticated in this stunning white knee-length dress for the Governor-General’s Reception in Canberra, Australia in 2014. The minimalist design, enhanced by a subtle peplum detail, allowed the Princess’s natural beauty to take centre stage. The cocktail frock was by Lela Rose.

Kate Middleton choose a knee-length off white dress with lace sleeves to attend the Australian Governor General's Reception in Canberra in Spring 2014.

This is a dress I’d love to see again—surely she’d bring this one back? Perhaps for another formal event during the spring or summer?

Kate paired the white dress with black accessories: her Mulberry Bayswater Wallet Clutch and her Jimmy Choo Cosmic Platforms.

Sparkling jewels finished the look: a pair of Art Deco style earrings and a matching bracelet. Rumour has it that the set was a wedding gift from Charles and Camilla.

Two words: understated elegance.

4) Lilac Dreams in L.K. Bennett

On a sunny day in Cambridge in 2022, the Princess captured the essence of spring in her lilac L.K. Bennett Madison dress paired with a pale blue coat by Chris Kerr.

The Princess of Wales paired a printed chiffon dress by L.K. Bennett with a blue overcoat in spring 2022.

Layering with the coat helped Kate seamlessly transition the outfit for the crisp spring air. She started the day in a pair of soft blue pumps by Emmy London before changing into down-to-earth espadrilles by Castañer.

Kate completed her spring look with her matching Emmy London Natasha clutch and a pair of aquamarine and diamond earring earrings that we’ve never been able to identify. The jewels provided just the right amount of sparkle.

We know Kate’s had the lilac L.K. Bennett dress in her closet for some time. She was snapped wearing it to a private function in 2015. She also owns the same design in Raspberry Pink—we’ve seen her wear that particular colour three times in public to date.

5) Garden Glamour in Green Florals

Kate embraced the spirit of the Chelsea Flower Show in 2019 by wearing a beautiful green dress by ROCHAS, adorned with white florals— very apt for the event!

Kate Middleton chose a green floral dress by Rochas for her visit to the Chelsea Flower Show in May 2017.

The botanical design harmonised with the show’s celebration of horticulture, mirroring the blossoms on display. The dress featured a midi-length softly pleated skirt, cap sleeves and a waistband.

She paired the frock with her L.K. Bennett ‘Fern’ pumps in the colour ‘Trench’ — a savvy choice, as the shoes subtly complemented the dress without detracting from its statement print.

She finished the look with her green onyx earrings by Monica Vinader, which perfectly complemented the dress’s palette.

6) Culottes at the Chelsea Flower Show

Kate embraced a modern and casual look for her ‘Back to Nature’ garden presentation at the 2019 Chelsea Flower Show.

This outfit is our second from the esteemed horticultural showcase on the list!

The Princess paired a white broderie anglaise blouse from M.I.H. with camel brown culottes by Massimo Dutti, a fashion-forward combination for the outdoor event.

The white blouse was a refreshing, contemporary choice, with the floral eyelet detailing a call out to the nature/garden theme. The culottes picked out the earthy tones of the garden and offered a structured yet breezy silhouette.

Kate’s Superga 2750 Cotu Classic canvas sneakers grounded the ensemble with a casual, approachable air—ideal for an engagement with a group of children.

The then-Duchess finished her look with her Monica Vinader Siren earrings in green onyx and gold.

The whole ensemble was ideal for an outdoor spring event.

7) A Coral Colour Statement at the Palace

Kate looked stunning in this coral Emilia Wickstead coat dress at a Buckingham Palace garden party in 2022.

The sharp tailoring and vibrant hue were spring-perfect, complementing the festive atmosphere.

Kate matched the coat dress with a sculptural hat by Jane Taylor, which added a flourish to her outfit.

For accessories, Kate opted for Kiki McDonough’s Classic Cushion Drop earrings, which provided a subtle sparkle. She carried a vintage-inspired beaded clutch by Josef, adding a touch of timeless glamour.

The Emmy London Rebecca Courts in ‘Makeup’ pink suede on her feet were a polished finish, effortlessly marrying comfort with style for the outdoor occasion.

This ensemble struck the right note between formal and approachable, ideal for a royal springtime event. I don’t think this is the last we’ll see of this coat dress—I am 100% confident that she’ll wear it again.

8) Elegant Erdem Florals for the Garden Show

Here’s a third and final spring look from the 2019 Chelsea Flower Show.

In the height of spring, Kate Middleton wears a floral maxi dress by Erdem to visit Chelsea Flower Show with The Queen.

The Princess enchanted us all with a striking maxi dress by Erdem that featured a high neckline, tiered skirt, flared cuffs and lace detailing.

The floor-length number showcased a beautiful blend of inky blue, yellow, black and white hues, creating an eye-catching garden-inspired print that worked perfectly for the occasion.

To complete the look, Kate wore her favourite Castañer wedges. These stylish and comfortable shoes added a touch of casual flair to the outfit, making it feel more relaxed without compromising on elegance. They perfectly balanced the dress’s formality.

They also hushed rumours about ‘royal protocol’ and debunked the myth that Kate would never wear wedges in front of the late Queen.

9) Blue Blooms Down Under: The ‘Lasa’ Dress Moment

During the 2014 Australian and New Zealand tour, Kate turned heads in this charming floral L.K. Bennett dress, known as the Lasa dress. This lovely frock features a vibrant blue poppy print on a white background.

Kate Middleton chooses a floral L.K. Bennett dress for an engagement in New Zealand in Spring 2014.

The Lasa dress showcased a classic silhouette with its fitted waist, pencil skirt, modest square neckline and demure knee-length cut.

Kate completed the look with navy pumps, minimal accessories and a simple-yet-chic half-up, half down hairstyle, which let the striking print take centre stage.

The dress was an instant fan favourite, sparking a wave of ‘get the look’ features and high-street dupes.

This remains one of Kate’s most iconic spring looks to date. The silhouette is a bit shorter than the Princess typically wears these days—do you think we’ll see it make a return anytime soon?

10) Teal Lace & Tailored Grace For India Visit

Kate wowed us with this gorgeous teal lace knee-length dress during a lunch with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in April 2016.

Kate Middleton wears Temperley London while on tour in India in 2016.

The Temperley London garment featured a floral lace design and a slightly flared and pleated mid-length skirt with contrasting panels.

The intricate lace detailing added a romantic touch, while the teal colour evoked the fresh and lively spirit of spring.

Simple nude pumps and a matching clutch allowed the dress to be the star of the show.

Kate finished the look with a pair of Green Tourmaline, Green Amethyst and Diamond earrings from Kiki McDonough.

This is an outfit I’d love to see Kate wear again one day. I am obsessed with this dress.

11) Casual Cool in Chloé For History Museum Visit

Springing into the season in style, Kate wore this casual combo for an engagement at the National History Museum in 2021. (My longtime readers will know I love this look and include it in lots of my round-ups, including my best outfits post!)

The Princess paired a salmon coloured Chloé jacket with trendy denim from & Other Stories for an approachable look—ideal for a fun engagement with children.

Kate paired the ensemble with a crisp white top by Ralph Lauren and Veja sneakers for a modern, eco-conscious nod.

Kate’s accessories finished the outfit beautifully — gold earrings from Orelia London and layered necklaces by Spells of Love and Daniella Draper.

I think this outfit is a blueprint for springtime chic that we’d all love to emulate.

12) Green Suit Energy for Park Visit

Let’s look back at a royal engagement that took place in the spring of 2021 next.

The former Duchess visited the ‘Fields in Trust’ charity at Starbank Park, Edinburgh, wearing a green blazer by Massimo Dutti and matching slim-leg trousers by Reiss. Of course, the colour was a sartorial nod to the initiative she was there to support.

The playful spotty blouse from Jigsaw softened the structured tailoring, while the white Superga sneakers were an informal and practical choice for the day’s activities, which included gardening with children and teenagers.

Kate’s gold jewellery (by Orelia and Daniella Draper) added a modern finishing touch to the look.

Once again, the outfit was a masterclass in blending professionalism with the laid back vibe needed for gardening with children and engaging with nature.

13) Timeless in Teal For Anzac Day

Kate chose a regal teal look for Anzac Day in 2019:

Kate in her teal coat dress

The Princess combined bespoke tailoring with high-end accessories for the Westminster Abbey service—she provided a masterclass in royal dressing, as usual.

The wool-crepe coat dress was by Catherine Walker. The garment resembles the ‘Amber’ style from the designer’s lookbook.  The silhouette blends formality with femininity, while the vibrant hue keeps the look ‘fresh’ and interesting. 

The Princess paired the coat dress with an almond-shaped chapeau in a matching shade of teal by Rosie Oliva Millinery.

I love how she paired the look with green suede accessories, which provided a subtle yet impactful contrast. Both pieces were by Emmy London—the ‘Rebecca‘ pumps and the ‘Natasha‘ clutch. 

Kate finished the outfit with two items of jewellery from renowned designer, Kiki McDonough: a pair of blue topaz and diamond drop Earrings and the Eden flower necklace, also in blue topaz.

A timeless and elegant look—exactly what we’ve come to expect from the Princess. 

Filed under:

Comments

2 responses to “Kate Middleton’s Best Spring Outfits—13 Iconic Looks I’m Still Thinking About”

  1. Jacki Gansch Avatar
    Jacki Gansch

    I wish she would modernize her style and go from borderline frumpy to chic. She should take style inspiration from other European royal women. I realize that Charles has asked that she tone down her dressing so as not to outshine Camilla. But she could be less 60-year-old matron and more stylish, fashion-forward 40-ish modern woman.

  2. roberto+guerra Avatar

    The super amica principessa in the world

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *