Kate Middleton returned to Trooping the Colour this morning, dressed in a striking teal blue ensemble.
The Princess took part in the carriage procession with her three children, Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis.
The three young royals rode with their mother in the Ascot Landau carriage during the procession.
The children were immaculately dressed—the boys in navy suits with red ties.
Charlotte echoed her mother’s look in soft aquamarine.
Here’s Prince William before the procession, clad in the Full Ceremonial Guard uniform of the Welsh Guards—his official regiment since 2022.
The ensemble featured the iconic scarlet tunic, polished boots, and traditional headgear. He looks almost unrecognisable with the hat and his beard!
Notably, the Prince of Wales wore a black armband today—a mark of respect following the recent Air India tragedy. He was one of several attendees honouring the victims during today’s event.
The Prince took to horseback and rode alongside his aunt and uncle, the Duke of Edinburgh and Princess Anne.
Their significant others were seated in a carriage during the procession, following the Princess and Wales and her children.
For the second consecutive year, the King rode in the carriage procession with his wife, Camilla, instead of riding on horseback, on the recommendation of his medical team.
Today marks the Princess of Wales’s 13th appearance at Trooping the Colour since joining the Royal Family in 2011.
She’s attended every year since joining the Royal Family, with the exception of 2021 and 2022—the pared-back pandemic ceremonies. During those years, the late Queen Elizabeth presided over socially distanced events without her extended family.
Trooping the Colour, also known as the King’s Birthday Parade, is a centuries-old military tradition held each June to mark the sovereign’s official birthday.
For over 260 years, it has showcased the pageantry, precision and pride of the British Army, with the Household Division taking centre stage.
This year’s spectacle featured more than 1,000 soldiers and officers, over 200 horses, and 200 musicians from six regimental bands and corps of drums. The troops performed complex battlefield drills to a specially arranged musical programme.
The parade route stretches from Buckingham Palace down The Mall to Horse Guards Parade and Whitehall, before looping back again.
At Horse Guards Parade, the Royal Family step down from their carriages to observe the ceremony in full.
About the ceremony:
The King is greeted by a Royal salute and carries out an inspection of the troops. After the massed bands have performed a musical ‘troop’, the escorted Regimental Colour is carried down the ranks.The Foot Guards and the Household Cavalry then march past His Majesty, and The King’s Troop, Royal Horse Artillery, rank past. The King rides back to Buckingham Palace at the head of his Guards, before taking the salute at the Palace from a dais. The troops then return to barracks.
Household Division
This year, the Coldstream Guards—the oldest continuously serving regular regiment in the British Army—Trooped through the ranks at the parade.
London welcomed the day with clear skies and a light breeze — near-perfect conditions for the occasion.
Thousands of spectators lined The Mall to catch a glimpse of the pomp and pageantry, with many waving flags.
The day concluded, as always, with the Royal Family reuniting on the balcony to watch the RAF flypast.
The RAF flypast, always a highlight, did not disappoint. The display included the iconic Red Arrows, who painted the sky in trails of red, white and blue.
The family seemed to enjoy the colourful display.
Louis gave an animated wave to the crowds below.
The Princess’s Trooping ensembles are always eagerly anticipated—seeing what she wears to the celebration is a tradition in its own right. Since 2011, she’s showcased a range of elegant silhouettes, soft pastels, and precise tailoring for the occasion. Let’s take a closer look at what she wore this year.
Kate’s outfit at Trooping the Colour 2025:
For her 13th Trooping the Colour appearance, the Princess made a sartorial statement in a rich aquamarine coatdress by Catherine Walker & Co., paired with a coordinating Juliette Botterill hat.
The bold teal hue marked a striking departure from her usual Trooping palette. Typically, Kate wears soft pastels, ivory, or pale blue to the event. (Although, there’s one notable exception: the vivid emerald ensemble she wore in 2023, her first Trooping as both Princess of Wales and Colonel of the Irish Guards.)
This year’s colour choice could be a nod to her honorary military role. The deep aquamarine shade closely echoes the blue plume worn in the bearskins of the Irish Guards, and their regimental badge – see below:
You might remember that Kate chose a similar shade for the 2023 St Patrick’s Day Parade with the Irish Guards—her first as honorary Colonel.
That was Catherine Walker piece too.
Today’s coatdress has been identified as the ‘Bria’ style, currently listed on the Catherine Walker website. With thanks to Gabi for the information, here’s a picture:
The design features a sharp, double-breasted front with single lapel, nipped-in waist, mandarin collar, and sweeping skirt. The crisp ivory detailing provides a sharp contrast.
The silhouette feels military-inspired—an aesthetic Catherine Walker & Co. often weaves into Kate’s formal attire (especially for military-related engagements, such as this one).
As ever, the piece is bespoke, not available off the peg. Hoping to commission something similar? You’ll need to make an appointment at the label’s atelier in Chelsea, London, or explore their “eCouture” service for custom orders.
Catherine Walker has long been a favourite of the Princess of Wales. She returns to the label time and again for high-profile moments and overseas tours.
The late Princess Diana was also devoted to the label, commissioning hundreds of looks from the atelier throughout her life.
Numerous publications have drawn similarities between Kate’s look today, and the Catherine Walker ensemble Princess Diana wore to Trooping the Colour in 1988:
Let’s look at Kate’s hat now. The Princess topped her look with a custom version of the ‘Bow Sidesweep Hat’ by Juliette Botterill — a standout piece from the milliner’s SS25 collection.
The dramatic design features a wide, sideswept brim and an oversized sculptural bow with curved loops. Kate’s had a delicate cluster of silk flowers added to her hat.
Botterill lists a ‘jade’ green version of the hat on her website for £750. It’s crafted from fine sinamay and finished with subtle gold lurex edging. Kate’s version does not feature the metallic trim.
The piece is theatrical without being overbearing, and photographs beautifully from every angle.
If you’re planning to invest in the design for an upcoming event, it can be ordered via Juliette Botterill’s website. Custom dyeing is available for an additional £30. Each hat is made to order, non-returnable, and requires a lead time of approximately three weeks.
Juliette Botterill is one of the most respected names in British millinery, celebrated for her elegant, sculptural pieces that merge classic craftsmanship with modern silhouettes. A graduate of the London College of Fashion, she honed her skills with iconic names like Philip Treacy before launching her eponymous label.
Onto jewellery now. Kate brought back the late Queen Elizabeth’s Bahrain pearl and diamond earrings for this year’s Trooping celebrations.
These earrings were crafted using pearls gifted to Princess Elizabeth (later Queen Elizabeth II) on the occasion of her 1947 wedding to Prince Philip. The pearls—seven in total—came from the Ruler of Bahrain, part of the extensive trove of jewels and gems presented to the future queen.
From this gift, two large pearls were selected and later fashioned into the now-familiar drop earrings.
The design features a round brilliant-cut diamond stud at the top, a diamond spacer and the baroque pearl drop, taken from the Bahraini gift.
Queen Elizabeth II wore the earrings on occasion throughout her reign. In recent years, the Princess of Wales has worn them numerous times, often at ceremonial occasions and moments of tribute, including to the late monarch’s state funeral.
You might have spotted the Princess wore an Irish Guards Regimental Brooch, reflecting her position as Colonel of the Irish Guards.
The brooch echoes the Irish Guards’ regimental badge, featuring a shamrock in the middle of a star design. This is the second time we’ve seen the Princess wear the creation; she wore it to Trooping the Colour last year too.
Lastly, let’s take a look at Kate’s shoes — a familiar favourite. The Princess wore her Gianvito Rossi ‘Gianvito 105’ pumps in bisque suede, a style she’s reached for repeatedly in recent months. Kate is a long-time fan of the elegant silhouette and owns the design in multiple shades.
The signature pumps feature a pointed toe, sleek stiletto heel measuring 105mm, and a low-cut vamp that elongates the leg. They’re made from 100% leather — outer, lining, and sole — and meticulously handcrafted in Italy.
Kate first debuted the bisque pair in March 2022 during the Caribbean tour. This marks the 11th public outing for the understated heels.
While the bisque shade is no longer available to buy (as far as I can tell), a near-identical colour called ‘Praline’ is still offered by the brand — a soft beige with a hint of pink. They’re currently listed at £650 at Farfetch.
Kate is a true devotee of Gianvito Rossi’s designs. She owns no fewer than ten pairs of the ‘105’ pumps in various hues, and her overall Gianvito Rossi collection totals at least 23 pairs — including slingbacks, courts, sandals and boots.
Gianvito Rossi launched his namesake label in 2006, following in the footsteps of his father, legendary Italian shoemaker Sergio Rossi. Known for refined silhouettes and exceptional craftsmanship, the brand quickly became a go-to for modern icons seeking elegance with ease. Today, Gianvito Rossi’s heels are a staple on red carpets and royal outings alike — beloved for their comfort, versatility, and timeless appeal.
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