The Princess of Wales’s style evolution in 50 looks

Princess of Wales

In the 15 years since the Princess of Wales married Prince William, she has become a global style icon, as renowned for her “Casual Kate” moments as for her mastery of diplomatic dressing and showstopping state banquet looks. Catherine is as at home in trainers and jeans as she is in a tiara and couture.

From the safe and relatable look she fostered in the early years of her marriage to the polished, elegant Queen-in-waiting she has become, now aged 44, these 50 looks define Catherine’s sophisticated style evolution.

Marrying in McQueen, April 2011

Catherine’s most unforgettable fashion moment – she set a new benchmark for royal bridal style in an intricate lace Alexander McQueen gown, designed by Sarah Burton. Her new regal status was symbolised by the Cartier Halo tiara, which she borrowed from the late Queen. 

The new Duchess in Zara, April 2011

The newly minted Duchess of Cambridge showed she was still a down-to-earth Berkshire girl when she wore a simple yet chic blue Zara dress, paired with a black Ralph Lauren jacket, for her first post-wedding appearance as she departed Buckingham Palace with Prince William for their honeymoon.

Cowgirl in Canada, July 2011

Catherine delivered the ultimate in literal dressing when she embraced a cowgirl look at the Calgary Stampede in Canada, wearing an embroidered Alice by Temperley blouse, bootcut jeans, R Soles rodeo boots and, of course, a white cowboy hat from traditional makers Smithbilt. 

Alexander McQueen in Los Angeles, July 2011

In a fairytale moment, Catherine showed she could outshine Hollywood’s most glamorous when she opted for an ethereal lavender Alexander McQueen gown for a Bafta event in Los Angeles. 

Hockey in skinny jeans, March 2012

Catherine introduced a more casual side to royal style. An early example was this look of coral skinny jeans, trainers and a hoodie, worn for a training session with Team GB’s hockey teams ahead of the 2012 Olympics. 

Orchid Jenny Packham dress in Singapore, September 2012

Catherine wore a pretty pink Jenny Packham dress, adorned with tiny orchids, to view an orchid named after Princess Diana in Singapore’s Botanic Gardens – a sign of her early mastery of appropriate and thoughtful dressing. 

Hockey in McQueen tartan, November 2012

On a visit to her old preparatory school, St Andrew’s, Catherine played a game of field hockey in an elegant tartan Alexander McQueen coat dress and three-inch-heeled boots. A few days later, it was revealed that she was pregnant with her first child. 

Pretty in (McQueen) pink for Trooping the Colour, June 2013

Catherine wore a sweet baby pink Alexander McQueen skirt suit and matching Jane Corbett hat, with bow and lace details, for her third Trooping the Colour parade.  

Leaving hospital with Prince George in Jenny Packham, July 2013

Introducing Prince George to the world outside St Mary’s Hospital in London, Catherine wore a custom pale blue polka-dot Jenny Packham dress, in a subtle tribute to Princess Diana, who had worn a similar style when she left the same hospital with Prince William as a baby in 1982. 

Roland Mouret for Mandela film premiere, December 2013

William and Catherine made a glamorous festive appearance at the premiere of Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom. The then Duchess opted for a strikingly simple Roland Mouret gown and a Zara necklace. 

High street at Ayers Rocks, April 2014

On a visit to Ayers Rock in Australia, Catherine wore a Hobbs summer dress that complemented William’s khaki shirt and chinos. The couple were recreating a similar photograph taken of Charles and Diana in the same location 31 years earlier.

Roksanda in Australia, April 2014

Catherine dazzled in a yellow dress by Roksanda Ilincic as she appeared in the Sydney sunshine. William dubbed it her “banana” dress, but the shade – one of Australia’s national colours alongside green – was in fact a diplomatic nod.

Michael Kors to leave Australia, April 2014

As they concluded their royal tour of New Zealand and Australia, Catherine wore a Michael Kors swing coat, while Prince George was dressed in an adorable red cardigan with striped shorts, white socks and navy Early Days shoes.

Beulah for a service of commemoration, March 2015

In a sombre tribute to mark the end of the Afghanistan War, Catherine wore a navy Beulah London coat dress to a memorial service at St Paul’s Cathedral. She was pregnant with Princess Charlotte at the time. 

Alexander McQueen for Princess Charlotte’s christening, July 2015

Catherine wore a timeless white Alexander McQueen coat dress and a floral Jane Taylor hat that beautifully complemented Charlotte’s christening gown, a replica of Queen Victoria’s. The Silver Cross pram was a regal finishing touch. 

Jenny Packham for China state dinner, October 2015

Catherine’s first state banquet look displayed an impeccable grasp of diplomatic dressing in honour of Chinese President Xi Jinping – her flowing Jenny Packham gown was red, a colour of luck and prosperity in China. She also selected the late Queen Mother’s diamond tiara, which features lotus flower decoration, a deeply meaningful symbol in Chinese culture.

Hiking in Penelope Chilvers in Bhutan, April 2016

Catherine managed to make a gruelling six-hour hike in Bhutan look stylish, wearing a white Jaeger blouse, Penelope Chilvers boots and a leather shooting waistcoat from Really Wild Company. She has owned the boots for 22 years and regularly re-wears them.

Naeem Khan at the Taj Mahal, April 2016

William and Catherine posed together at India’s famous monument to love, creating a happier version of the portrait taken of Diana in the same spot 24 years earlier. The then Duchess paid a subtle homage to local craftsmanship in a blue and white embroidered Naeem Khan dress.

Jenny Packham in Norfolk, June 2016

At a gala dinner raising funds for East Anglia Children’s Hospices, the then Duchess wore a shimmering soft-pink Jenny Packham gown, delivering refined evening elegance. 

Preen in Canada, September 2016

On a royal tour of Canada, Catherine wore an elegant red Preen dress with Elizabeth II’s diamond maple leaf brooch, in a thoughtful nod to her host nation. 

Chanel in Paris, March 2017

Catherine made a clever diplomatic fashion gesture when she wore a tweed coat and quilted top-handle bag by Chanel during a visit to Paris. William complemented his wife’s style choice by matching his tie to her bag – the perfect couple look for a photograph in front of the Eiffel Tower.

Prada for the 20th anniversary of Princess Diana’s death, August 2017

Catherine paid a poignant sartorial tribute to the mother-in-law she never met by wearing a floral Prada dress with a pussy-bow neckline to visit Diana’s memorial garden in the grounds of Kensington Palace. It is exactly the style of dress Diana herself would have worn in the Eighties.

Miu Miu on Christmas Day, December 2017

Being pregnant with Prince Louis did not stop Catherine from amping up the festive mood on Christmas Day at Sandringham, when she sported a tartan Miu Miu coat and black fur-trimmed hat. Meghan Markle was also there, in a more muted beige outfit.

Erdem at the V&A, October 2018

Whether it was Meghan Markle’s arrival on the royal scene or the then Duchess getting her mojo back after the birth of Prince Louis, this Erdem look heralded the start of a more experimental fashion era for Catherine.

Alexander McQueen for the Netherlands state dinner, October 2018

Sometimes Catherine opts for classic looks for major royal moments, while at others she takes a more fashion-forward approach. This Alexander McQueen creation brilliantly blends both, appearing at once historical and modern. She topped the look with her favourite Lover’s Knot tiara.

Gucci for children’s centre visit, March 2019

What could have been a standard royal engagement became a fashion talking point when the then Duchess wore a Gucci pussy-bow blouse to visit the Henry Fawcett children’s centre in London. What’s more, she styled the blouse back to front, winning her extra points with fashion insiders.

Elie Saab at Royal Ascot, June 2019

Catherine exuded regal sophistication at Royal Ascot in 2019. She wore a pale blue lace and tulle dress by Lebanese designer Elie Saab, finishing the look with a Philip Treacy hat and Kiki McDonough earrings.

Diplomatic dressing with William in Pakistan, October 2019

The 2019 Pakistan tour was a masterclass in diplomatic dressing, but one moment stood out. For a reception in Islamabad, Catherine wore a sequinned Jenny Packham gown with a coordinating dupatta scarf and opulent earrings from O’nitaa, a London boutique specialising in Indian and Pakistani fashion. William matched her in a sherwani by Pakistani tailor Nauman Arfeen. Both looks were in the same deep green shade as Pakistan’s flag. 

Vintage Oscar de la Renta in Dublin, March 2020

Another highlight from the pre-lockdown visit to Ireland, the then Duchess proved that great fashion moments do not have to include brand-new items when she debuted a vintage Oscar de la Renta polka-dot dress dating from the late 1970s.

The late Queen’s jewellery at Prince Philip’s funeral, April 2021

This is one of the most captivating portraits ever captured of Catherine as she travelled to Prince Philip’s funeral, wearing a black face mask – Covid restrictions were still in place – a Catherine Walker coat dress, a Jane Taylor veiled hat and Elizabeth II’s pearl and diamond jewellery, the traditional jewels of mourning. 

Holland Cooper in Scotland, May 2021

Catherine was fashionably patriotic when she chose a heather-hued tartan trench coat for an NHS event she hosted at the Palace of Holyroodhouse in Edinburgh during a visit to Scotland in 2021.

Jenny Packham for the premiere of No Time to Die, September 2021

One of her most glamorous appearances to date, the then Duchess opted for a gold sequinned gown by Jenny Packham, inspired by Jill Masterson’s famous gold-paint scene in Goldfinger. Catherine topped off the look with statement earrings by O’nitaa. 

The Vampire’s Wife in Belize, March 2022

The then Duchess dazzled – quite literally – in a vibrant fuchsia sequinned gown by The Vampire’s Wife for a reception held among Mayan ruins in Belize.

Emilia Wickstead at Elizabeth II’s Platinum Jubilee Thanksgiving service, June 2022

Catherine chose an Emilia Wickstead dress in an uplifting shade of lemon yellow, which she paired with a matching Philip Treacy hat and the late Queen’s diamond and pearl earrings for a Thanksgiving service during the Platinum Jubilee celebrations.

Sailing in Holland Cooper shorts, July 2022

The ultimate example of the then Duchess’s sporty side, she carried out sailing-themed engagements in Plymouth wearing linen shorts by Holland Cooper, a striped jumper by Erdem and Superga trainers.

A rented dress for the Earthshot Prize, December 2022

Now the Princess of Wales, she gave a lesson in relatable party dressing by renting a lime green off-the-shoulder gown by Solace London via Hurr for the Earthshot Prize green carpet. She added a regal touch with a diamond and emerald choker, previously worn by Princess Diana and Queen Mary.

Alexander McQueen and Zara at the Baftas, February 2023

Proving that outfit recycling can be anything but boring, the Princess wowed on the Bafta red carpet in an Alexander McQueen gown, accessorised with velvet opera gloves and Zara earrings. Prince William coordinated in a velvet jacket.

Alexander McQueen for the Coronation of King Charles III, May 2023

The Princess turned to her most trusted designer, Sarah Burton at Alexander McQueen, for a striking gown blending tradition and modernity, incorporating the floral symbols of the United Kingdom. She eschewed a tiara in favour of a floral headpiece by Jess Collett, while Princess Charlotte wore a mini-me version of her mother’s look.

Order of the Garter in Alessandra Rich and Philip Treacy, June 2023

There was a distinctly My Fair Lady feel to this look – the Princess wore a polka-dot Alessandra Rich dress with a Philip Treacy hat and Jennifer Chamandi heels. You could also imagine Princess Diana wearing this ensemble.

Andrew Gn for Trooping the Colour, June 2023

The Wales family were beautifully coordinated for the first Trooping the Colour of King Charles’s reign. The Princess was glamorous in emerald green, reflecting her new role as Col of the Irish Guards, while the children’s red accents chimed with William’s uniform as Col of the Welsh Guards.

Safiyaa at Wimbledon, July 2024

Making a rare public appearance amid her cancer treatment, Catherine showed her dedication to Wimbledon by choosing a custom tennis-themed look for the championships – this time a purple dress by Safiyaa in the same shade as the event’s famous logo.

Veronica Beard in cancer recovery video, September 2024

A moment of joy after a worrying few months; the Princess released a video announcing that she was now cancer-free. Her style choice – a boho-style dress by Veronica Beard – symbolised her joy and relief.

Alexander McQueen for the ‘Together at Christmas’ carol service, December 2024

The Princess ended a tough year on a style high, arriving at Westminster Abbey to host her annual carol service wearing a festive red coat by Sarah Burton for Alexander McQueen, with a black velvet bow and Ralph Lauren boots. 

Victoria Beckham for the Queen Elizabeth II Award for British Design presentation, May 2025

Catherine proved she can hold her own among the fashion set, opting for a chic green Victoria Beckham suit and a Knatchbull shirt to present the Queen Elizabeth II Award for British Design to Patrick McDowell.

Dior for the French state visit, July 2025

How to charm the French president? Opt for a classically elegant Dior Bar jacket and tulle skirt in the prettiest shade of blush pink, of course. The Princess did just that when she welcomed Emmanuel and Brigitte Macron to Windsor.

Phillipa Lepley for US state dinner, September 2025

This state banquet look was a triumph – the Princess dazzled in a gold lace Phillipa Lepley gown, paired with the Cambridge Lover’s Knot tiara and Elizabeth II’s diamond earrings.

Suzannah for the installation of the Archbishop of Canterbury, March 2026

The Princess showed her prowess for bringing edge and elegance to major national moments when she wore a checked Suzannah coat and a statement wide-brimmed Juliette Botterill hat for Sarah Mullally’s installation as Archbishop of Canterbury.