Kate Middleton debuted an elegant grey suit at The Future Workforce Summit on Tuesday morning.
The Princess of Wales, who has really leaned into sharp tailoring this year, chose a polished Roland Mouret power suit for the engagement hosted by The Royal Foundation’s Centre for Early Childhood Business Taskforce.
Styled with a white ruffled blouse, sparkling diamond earrings and sky-high heels, the overall effect felt crisp, modern and very “business chic”—a look that fit the tone of the summit perfectly. Skip to the detailed fashion analysis »
Held at the Salesforce Tower in the City of London, the inaugural event brought together more than 80 of the UK’s most influential business leaders to discuss investment in the early years. With a room full of CEOs and industry heavyweights, the tailored suit was a natural choice.
Experts in leadership, human development and early childhood shared insights on how early experiences shape long-term outcomes.
The summit continues the Princess’s ongoing efforts to highlight how early childhood can shape a stronger, more supportive society.
The Princess took to the podium during the event and delivered a moving speech highlighting how love, care and connection in the early years shape who we become.
Kate called on workplaces to support parents and caregivers, and to value tenderness and time as much as productivity.
She also praised the quiet, often overlooked work of caring, saying that recognising and nurturing it is key to creating happier, healthier communities.
The speech was a landmark moment for the Princess; it was her first in over two years, following her cancer diagnosis and treatment in 2024. You can watch it in full, below:
After Kate’s address, Former England Football Manager Sir Gareth Southgate took to the stage.
Research psychologist Professor Marc Brackett and Professor Robert Waldinger from Harvard University also delivered sessions. You’ll recall that Waldinger co-authored a letter with the Princess last month. Psychotherapist and author Philippa Perry rounded out the speaker line-up.
The summit focused on how businesses investing in the early years can play an important role in the next generation, developing the uniquely human skills needed for the future workforce to thrive, at a time of huge technological progress and change, to reach more than one million babies and young children in 2026.
Attendees also heard from fellow members of the Business Taskforce, including leaders from Aviva, NatWest Group, Iceland, and Ikea. Each company has already pledged action, with commitments that could reach more than half a million babies and young children.
The Lego Group and Deloitte shared examples of the work they’ve already delivered: The Lego Group has donated “Build Me Emotions” sets to early years providers across the UK, while Deloitte has funded more than 1,300 early years teachers to undertake Teach First leadership qualifications.
Delegates also heard about innovative new projects from Amazon, Kellogg’s, Jude’s, Salesforce and the Co-op.
The Princess of Wales launched the task force in 2023.
Run by business, for business, the Business Taskforce was created to play an essential role in The Princess of Wales’ work to transform the way in which society prioritises and supports children and the ecosystems around them in their earliest years.
The Royal Foundation Centre for Early Childhood.
Let’s move on to the fashion portion of our post now.
Kate’s Summit look:
The Princess debuted a fresh twist on a familiar look for today’s summit, by wearing a suit we’ve seen on her several times before—but in a new colour!
The clean, corporate-friendly silhouette suited the setting and Kate’s role as figurehead for the Centre for Early Childhood, and it worked well for delivering a keynote to a room of business leaders.
I mean, we’d expect nothing less from the Princess, really; she rarely puts a foot wrong.
The suit appears identical to the two Roland Mouret suits she already owns, in camel and burgundy:
Kate debuted the neutral coloured suit at an engagement with the Streets of Growth charity in 2023 (above). She brought it back last month to greet the Jordanian Royals at Windsor Castle (below).
She’s worn the burgundy version four times in public. First, during a visit to Boston with The Earthshot Awards in 2022. Then, for the England Wheelchair Rugby League winners’ reception in 2023. Later in the year, she brought it back for the Shaping Us Symposium reception (above). In 2024, she wore it once again to meet Liz Hatton and her family at Windsor Castle (below).
The tailored blazer features a single button closure, peak lapels and flap pockets that sit at a slight angle. The wide-leg trousers skim the floor, feature a crease down the front and have a slight flare.
I expect Kate’s grey suit was a custom commission. I am yet to see Roland Mouret release it in the grey colourway.
The burgundy version of the suit was available at Net-A-Porter.com for some time, but no longer. Today, Roland Mouet stock it in black cady, cream satin crepe and khaki green satin crepe (shown below). Prices RRP from £695 for the jacket and from £450 for the trousers.
Besides suits, Kate’s worn numerous Roland Mouret pieces since joining the Royal Family. I remember her wearing one of the designer’s blue dresses under a blazer as she boarded a plane at Heathrow Airport before the 2011 Canada and US Tour. She’s also worn a pair of Mouret’s wide-leg trousers on repeat recently, and donned two or three of his figure-flattering gowns for red carpet events.
Roland Mouret is a French fashion designer who founded his eponymous luxury womenswear brand in London in 1998. He’s known for clean, confident lines, sculptural necklines, and artfully draped dresses, along with knits and structured separates tailored for the contemporary woman.
Let’s take a look at Kate’s ivory blouse now. It’s from Knatchbull and it’s the Cascade style.
It’s cut from 100% sand-washed silk satin and features an attention-grabbing ruffle down the front, elongated fluted cuffs and delicate Italian mother-of-pearl buttons.
This is the third time Kate’s worn it in public since May. She debuted it under her green Victoria Beckham suit to present the Queen Elizabeth II Award for British Design (below), then reached for it again in September, pairing it with a black suit for an outing to cheer on the women’s England rugby team (below).
It’s proving to be a real workhorse in her wardrobe—the perfect under-a-blazer staple. If you’re tempted to invest, the Cascade Blouse is still part of Knatchbull’s collection. Some sizes ship straight away, others later this month. It’s made in Portugal and priced at £565.
Knatchbull, previously The Deck London, is the first and only Savile Row shopfront dedicated to women. The brand’s ethos is “heritage tailoring for the sartorially minded”.
The company champions sustainable fashion through its made-to-order model with a focus on slow fashion, mindful consumption, natural fibres, impeccable fit and female empowerment.
The brand’s name comes from its founder, Daisy Knatchbull, the great-granddaughter of Lord Mountbatten.
Shop similar for less: Hobbs London has a good ‘repliKate’, currently £55 in the Black Friday sales. Click to view.
To my knowledge, Kate hasn’t worn any other Knatchbull pieces in public yet, though I wouldn’t be surprised to see that change.
Let’s move on to footwear now. Kate wore her towering Russell and Bromley ‘Blade 100’ heels:
The shoes, crafted from black nappa leather, feature a sharply pointed toe and a 100mm high leather-laid blade block heel.
Unfortunately, the company no longer stock the shoe. They previously described it on their website as “elevated” and “an enhanced take on the classic court.”
The Princess debuted the shoes during a visit to ATC Pirbright in 2022. This is the eighth time she has worn them, in public, to date.
Kate has a long-standing relationship with Russell & Bromley, often turning to the renowned independent British retailer for timeless, versatile footwear. The company, established in 1880, are celebrated for their high-quality craftsmanship and rich heritage. 145 years later, Russell and Bromley remain dedicated to delivering iconic style, on-trend design and exceptional product.
Kate added a touch of sparkle with her diamond earrings from Mappin & Webb. She wears the Empress style.
The earrings feature 18ct gold disc drops cut into an intricate pattern and set with brilliant-cut diamonds.
According to Mappin & Webb, the Empress design comes from the company’s archives, “inspired by an exotic motif” they presented to the Queen of Siam in the 1920s.
“We’ve re-imagined them for the 21st century, and of course, it’s very nice that they have been worn by one of our royals,” said Elizabeth Galton, Creative Director of Mappin & Webb Jewellery, via PEOPLE.
Kate debuted the earrings at Princess Charlotte’s christening in 2015, though it’s likely she added them to her collection a little earlier—she wore the matching Empress necklace in 2014. I suspect she bought/was gifted both pieces as a set.
The Princess has reached for the earrings regularly over the last decade, wearing them to more than 30 public engagements to date. They’re one of her most-worn styles.
If you’d like to add a pair to your own jewellery box, you’re in luck. Mappin & Webb still stock the style today, priced at £2,500.
Note: I can’t say with certainty whether this is the exact version Kate owns. Mappin & Webb have released several iterations of the Empress earrings over the years with varying levels of diamond adornment, and they’re tricky to tell apart. They all look very similar to my eye.
Kate has owned a few pieces from the luxury jeweller over the years. Alongside the Empress earrings, she also wears the matching Empress diamond necklace and the company’s Fortune Drop necklace.
The 250-year-old company is headquartered in Sheffield and was founded in 1775. It has held Royal Warrants since 1897.
Although Mappin & Webb was sold to the UK’s largest luxury jewellery retailer around 20 years ago, its master craftsman, Mark Appleby, is now the Crown Jeweller of the United Kingdom.
Let’s finish with Kate’s chic black tote bag now. It’s by Smythson, the Panama ‘East West’ style.
The Princess often carries this Smythson tote while travelling to and from engagements, usually spotted with it as she boards planes or helicopters.
We first saw the bag in 2016, so it’s nearing its ten-year mark, assuming she hasn’t bought a second.
The long-lasting, versatile design is crafted from black calf-grain leather, lined in suede and finished with gold hardware. Its long tubular straps make it a practical choice for commutes and shopping trips. The “East West” name refers to its wide, horizontal shape.
The tote is made from Smythson’s signature Panama leather, first introduced for the brand’s iconic Panama diary created by Frank Smythson in 1908. The distinctive grain is known for being durable and resistant to scratches, which likely explains why Kate’s kept hers in rotation for almost a decade.
Key details include tonal topstitching, a secure zip-top closure and a roomy interior that easily fits a laptop.
Unfortunately, for anybody hoping to buy the bag, it’s currently out of stock. Try Smythson’s Day Tote instead for a similarly convenient bag.
Kate owns five Smythson pieces in total. Alongside the East-West Panama Tote, she’s carried the black Ludlow Concertina Crossbody, the navy Panama purse and an A4 Black Mara writing folder. Earlier this year she also debuted the Mini Lytton Crossbody in Ludlow. She’s clearly a long-standing fan of the London leather-goods house.
A quick reminder for anyone unfamiliar: Smythson is a heritage British brand founded in 1887, best known for luxury stationery and finely crafted leather accessories.