Kate Middleton looked autumn-ready in shades of soft grey and rich burgundy in West Sussex this morning.
The Princess of Wales wore a long charcoal coat over a pussy-bow blouse and tailored trousers for an engagement with the West Sussex Minibus Service, adding a pop of colour with a berry-coloured belt, handbag and heels. (Skip to Kate’s outfit).
Kate joined volunteers from the minibus service on their rounds in Pulborough, helping passengers from their homes onto the bus before attending a lunch club at the village hall.
The visit highlighted how the volunteer-run service—which celebrates its 50th anniversary this year—helps rural residents stay independent, maintain friendships and feel connected to their community.
The Princess began her visit by accompanying volunteers on one of their minibus pick-up journeys, helping passengers from their homes onto the bus.
The Princess met 94-year-old Stella Drewett and walked with her to board the minibus.
Ahead of Kate's arrival, Ms Drewett had heard she'd be accompanied by a celebrity. She was unfazed, telling volunteers, "I don't know any celebrities."
During the journey, the Princess heard how the service helps residents stay independent and socially connected, enabling them to maintain friendships, attend local activities and keep doing the things they enjoy.
Their destination was Pulborough Village Hall, where Kate joined the weekly lunch club and chatted with attendees over refreshments. The Princess remarked that the lunch club was "a lovely way to make friends."
Then, conversation turned to everyday family life, with the Princess revealing that she enjoys doing the washing-up.
“I love washing up. I really do,” she told those at her table, according to royal correspondent Victoria Ward.
Asked whether William helps, Kate explained that he takes care of the drying. “We are a good double act. And we get the children involved,” she added.
The Princess also revealed her fondness for salted crisps, nibbling one as she spoke.
Alongside meeting passengers and lunch club guests, Kate spent time with the volunteers who keep the transport service running. Founded in response to declining rural public transport, West Sussex Minibus Service now operates from eight village hubs, with 284 volunteers supporting a fleet of 11 minibuses. It provides around 13,000 passenger journeys each year.
The organisation supports people who struggle to access public transport because of isolation, mobility challenges or financial barriers. The visit highlighted how these everyday journeys can help residents remain involved in community life.
By the time Kate left the village hall, word of her visit had spread, and a small group of locals had gathered outside to greet her.
According to royal correspondent Rebecca English, the Princess shook every hand, joined a FaceTime call with someone’s unwell mother, played a jumping game with a toddler, and made a fuss of a dog.
Let’s take a detailed look at her outfit now.
Kate’s outfit today
The Princess opted for a polished look in an autumn palette—the perfect colour combination as September draws to a close.
The look featured an elegant, long grey coat worn over tonal grey separates, finished with rich burgundy accessories.
The look was also a mix of familiar pieces and new additions, with the Princess bringing back the coat and trousers she wore in Southport this time last year. Swapping the pale pink blouse for deep berry-coloured accessories brought new life to the repeated pieces.
Let’s take a closer look at each item.
Jigsaw coat
Kate wore her Jigsaw Wool Maxi City Coat in Charcoal, first seen during her visit to Southport on 23 September 2025, as pictured above.
The long wool coat features notched lapels and flap pockets, and a vent at the back for ease of movement. The charcoal version originally retailed for £389.
Kate’s grey coat is from an earlier collection, but Jigsaw currently lists the same style in navy and khaki (shown below), both priced at £389.
Kate has a particularly longstanding connection with Jigsaw, having worked for the British high-street label as an accessories buyer before her marriage. She has continued to wear its clothing over the years, including blouses and tailored trousers. The brand is known for wearable wardrobe staples, with an emphasis on fabric and cut.
Reiss blouse
Underneath the coat, Kate debuted a new blouse. It’s by Reiss. The Kathlyn Matte-Silk Tie-Neck Blouse in Grey. (With thanks to Middleton Maven for the ID.)
The blouse is crafted from 100% silk and is designed with a fluid silhouette. It features a concealed button fastening and long sleeves finished with stud cuffs.
Kate tied the long neckline ribbons into a generous bow, making it the focal point of the outfit once she removed her coat.
The blouse is still available to buy and currently listed on the Reiss website for £230. The company also sell a similar grey pinstripe version in cotton for £140.
Reiss is a brand often associated with Kate and has featured in her wardrobe for many years—even pre-marriage (in fact, the now Princess famously wore a Reiss dress in one of her official engagement portraits). The British label’s smart tailoring and understated separates fit neatly with her working wardrobe.
Ralph Lauren trousers
Let’s look at Kate’s trousers now. She paired the blouse with a pair of Ralph Lauren trousers, the ‘Bacall Wool-Blend’ style. (Another thank you to Middleton Maven for this ID.)
Kate also wore the trousers during the Southport visit in September 2025. They were not identified at the time.
The high-waisted trousers have a wide-leg cut, front pleats, pressed creases and turned-up hems. They’re made from an Italian wool fabric with a little stretch, giving the tailoring both structure and movement.
Ralph Lauren lists the colour as Medium Grey Melange. The trousers retail for £375, and seem to be available to buy—at least on the company’s UK website. The product page also lists a camel colourway.
Ralph Lauren is another longstanding favourite of the Princess. She has worn the American designer’s clothing since the early years of her marriage, including an olive-green dress for a Centrepoint visit in December 2011. The label is known for its classic tailoring, knitwear and preppy separates.
Annoushka pearl earrings
Kate brought back one of her most-worn pairs of earrings for today’s engagement. The Annoushka Baroque Pearl Drops, which appear to be suspended from her Kiki McDonough diamond hoops.
The detachable drops feature freshwater pearls attached to 18-carat yellow-gold loops.
Kate has worn the pearls since 2012, making them one of the most familiar pieces in her jewellery collection. They have accompanied everything from casual daytime outfits to more formal tailoring. She also owns Annoushka’s diamond eternity ring.
The pearl drops are listed at Annoushka for £450, with hoops purchased separately.
The 18ct gold diamond-set hoops feature a secure click fastening. They retail on Kiki McDonough’s website for £1,000.
Both are British fine-jewellery labels. Annoushka specialises in collectible pieces and interchangeable designs, while Kiki McDonough is particularly associated with colourful gemstones and detachable earring drops.
Smythson handbag
Onto her handbag now. Kate debuted the Smythson Day Crossbody Bag in Dark Cherry, again identified by Middleton Maven. (She’s on fire today!)
The compact bag is crafted from grained calf leather and features a top handle, a detachable adjustable strap and discreet silver-tone branding. Inside, there’s a zipped pocket, while a magnetic fastening keeps the exterior uncluttered. Its deep cherry shade picked up the burgundy accents elsewhere in the outfit.
The bag was listed at £695 by Harrods, although the linked style currently shows as out of stock. I cannot see it in stock elsewhere, unfortunately.
Smythson is an established name in Kate’s accessories collection. She carries a handful of pieces from the brand, including the Mini Lytton bag. The British luxury house is known for its leather accessories and stationery.
Victoria Beckham belt
Kate’s burgundy belt also appears to be a new addition. Middleton Maven identified it as a Victoria Beckham design, specifically the Portofino Mirror Belt in Dark Burgundy.
Made in Italy from glossy calf leather, the slim belt measures 25 mm wide and features a polished gold-plated buckle.
The belt is listed on Victoria Beckham’s website for £290, but currently shows as sold out.
Kate has worn Victoria Beckham before, notably choosing an olive-green suit to present the Queen Elizabeth II Award for British Design in May 2025. The designer’s label is known for sleek tailoring, fluid dresses and pared-back accessories.
Gianvito Rossi heels
Finally, Kate wore pointed suede heels, which appear to be her Gianvito Rossi 'Gianvito 105' pumps in Burgundy.
They are a longstanding pair from her wardrobe. Kate first wore the style in October 2015, and has brought it back for numerous engagements since. The pumps have a sharply pointed toe and a slender 105 mm stiletto heel. An earlier listing recorded their price as US$675.
Gianvito Rossi is one of Kate’s most frequently worn footwear labels. She owns these same pointed pumps in several colours, alongside boots and other styles from the Italian designer. The brand is known for elegant silhouettes and finely made leather and suede shoes.
That’s all for today. I’m sorry the comments are still turned off—I miss getting comments from everyone. I will work on a fix over the weekend.
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