When it comes to royal style, few people take the crown quite like the Princess of Wales. Since joining the royal family in 2011, Catherine has cemented herself as a fashion icon, regularly landing on best-dressed lists. Her innate elegance and acute understanding of how to dress for her role make her a true modern style icon. From royal engagements to state visits and royal tours, here are some of the Princess' best fashion moments.
One thing that immediately stands out is her ability to seamlessly marry elegance with purpose. Her outfits convey respect for the occasion, cultural awareness when necessary, and are timeless. Often, it's all about the details – subtle tailoring, quality fabrics, and accessories that amplify rather than overwhelm. This is what creates the "Kate effect," a phenomenon where her outfits make headlines and inspire a whole new wave of fashion trends.
In my opinion, what makes her a style icon is her penchant for mixing high-end with the high street. She has access to some of the best designers and fashion houses, but she often chooses to wear pieces that are more accessible to the general public. This makes her relatable and allows her to influence fashion choices beyond the royal family.
Now, let's dive into her standout fashion moments.
- Royal Wedding
The Princess wore a dress fit for a future Queen Consort for her grand debut as a member of the royal family. Catherine married Prince William in a gown designed by Sarah Burton for Alexander McQueen. The dress combined tradition and modernity with the artistic vision that characterises Alexander McQueen's work. It was a classic that let her shine through.
- 10th Annual ARK Gala Dinner
Catherine shined at the 10th annual ARK Gala Dinner just months after her royal wedding in 2011. The then-Duchess of Cambridge joined her husband at the event wearing a Jenny Packham design. The dazzling sequins and newlywed glow made her look absolutely stunning.
- La La Land
Amid the glitz and glamour of Los Angeles, the Princess turned heads in a show-stopping lilac Alexander McQueen gown as she hit the red carpet at a BAFTA event during her 2011 North American tour. Her innate elegance made even the most elaborate outfit feel approachable.
- Olympic Concert
The gold medal for style goes to the Princess of Wales, who stunned in a teal Jenny Packham gown at the Our Greatest Team Rises - BOA Olympic Concert in 2012. Her choice of fabric and design made her look absolutely regal.
- Easter in Australia
Catherine brought royal elegance Down Under for Easter Sunday service in Sydney, wearing an Alexander McQueen coat and a Jane Taylor hat during her and William's 2014 tour of Australia and New Zealand. Her sense of style was impeccable, even in a different country.
- Post-Birth Elegance
Hours after giving birth to her daughter Princess Charlotte, Catherine emerged on the steps of the Lindo Wing of St. Mary's Hospital dressed in a floral print Jenny Packham number. Her ability to look elegant even in such a personal moment is truly remarkable.
- Royal Ascot Debut
The then-Duchess of Cambridge looked lovely in lace as she made her Royal Ascot debut in 2016 wearing a white dress from Dolce & Gabbana. Her sense of style was impeccable, even in such a formal setting.
- The Hague
The royal stepped out in a chic skirt suit by Catherine Walker during her first-ever solo official overseas trip to the Netherlands in 2016. Her choice of outfit was both stylish and practical, perfect for a solo trip.
- First BAFTAs
The Princess turned to her wedding dress designer, Alexander McQueen, for the off-the-shoulder gown she wore to her first BAFTA Awards ceremony in 2017. Her sense of style was impeccable, even in such a formal setting.
- Fifty Shades of Grey and Chic
The ever-stylish royal looked gorgeous in grey as she stepped out in a Catherine Walker dress featuring a contrasting black collar for a visit to King's College in March 2019. Her sense of style was impeccable, even in such a formal setting.
- Picture Perfect Princess
Catherine was the picture of elegance in an Elie Saab design paired with a matching Philip Treacy hat at Royal Ascot in 2019. Her sense of style was impeccable, even in such a formal setting.
- Pakistan Tour
Catherine sported a black Beulah London jacket and white trousers for a visit to an Army Canine Centre with Prince William during their 2019 tour of Pakistan. Her choice of trousers was significant, as it aligned with her active, hands-on approach to engagements.
- Blue Beauty
Catherine looked effortlessly stylish at the 2019 launch of the National Emergencies Trust at St Martin-in-the-Fields, wearing a blue belted Emilia Wickstead dress. Her sense of style was impeccable, even in such a formal setting.
- Gorgeous in Green
Catherine wore a sophisticated green Alexander McQueen coat, which she accessorized with Zeen earrings and a black bag by Aspinal London, for her visit to Bradford in January 2020. Her sense of style was impeccable, even in such a formal setting.
- Prince Philip's Funeral
Although it was a somber day, Catherine's elegance was on full display at Prince Philip's funeral in a black Catherine Walker coat dress with a bow at the neckline and a Philip Treacy hat. Her sense of style was impeccable, even in such a formal setting.
- A Magenta Moment
The royal was radiant in a magenta Alexander McQueen sheath dress for a visit to Connor Downs Academy in Cornwall with Dr. Jill Biden in 2021. Her sense of style was impeccable, even in such a formal setting.
- Gallery-worthy Glamour
Catherine, who is royal patron of the Victoria and Albert Museum (V&A), looked like a work of art herself, wearing a red and black houndstooth dress by Alessandra Rich, as she paid a visit to the museum in 2021. Her sense of style was impeccable, even in such a formal setting.
- Casual Chic
Casual never looked so chic. The Princess stepped out in jeans, a Chloé blazer, and Veja sneakers at the Natural History Museum in 2021. Her sense of style was impeccable, even in such a casual setting.
- A Golden Dream
Catherine brought regal glamour to the red carpet of No Time To Die in 2021, shimmering in a show-stopping gold Jenny Packham cape gown at the film's premiere in London. Her sense of style was impeccable, even in such a formal setting.
- Merry and Bright
Wrapped up in a bow! Catherine embraced the festive season in a striking red Catherine Walker coat for her first Christmas carol service at Westminster Abbey in 2021. Her sense of style was impeccable, even in such a formal setting.
- Blue in Belize
Catherine looked anything but blue in a Jenny Packham design as she arrived in Belize in 2022. She and Prince William undertook the visit on behalf of Queen Elizabeth on the occasion of her Platinum Jubilee. Her sense of style was impeccable, even in such a formal setting.
- Island Style
She may have been on royal duty, but Catherine looked ready for a holiday in a vibrant pink shirt dress by RIXO and espadrilles in the Bahamas in 2022. Her sense of style was impeccable, even in such a casual setting.
- Polka Dot Perfection
The Princess of Wales was the epitome of elegance in an Alessandra Rich polka dot dress, which she paired with a wide-brim hat, at Royal Ascot in 2022. Her sense of style was impeccable, even in such a formal setting.
- Serving Style at Wimbledon
Catherine opted for polka dots once again, stepping out in another Alessandra Rich dress to watch Novak Djokovic and Nick Kyrgios compete in the 2022 Wimbledon men's singles final. Her sense of style was impeccable, even in such a formal setting.
- Catherine Walker in Copenhagen
The royal wore a smart coat by Catherine Walker during a working visit to Copenhagen with The Royal Foundation Centre for Early Childhood in 2022. Her sense of style was impeccable, even in such a formal setting.
- Parade-ready
The Princess made her annual appearance at Trooping the Colour in 2022 wearing her go-to designer Alexander McQueen with a Philip Treacy hat. Her sense of style was impeccable, even in such a formal setting.
- Teal and Timeless
Her Royal Highness wore a belted dress by Edeline Lee to present the Queen Elizabeth II Award for British Design at an event hosted by the British Fashion Council in 2022. Her sense of style was impeccable, even in such a formal setting.
- Polo Perfection
A summer day at the polo field called for a cornflower blue Beulah London midi dress, which the Princess wore while cheering on Prince William at the 2023 Royal Charity Polo Cup. Her sense of style was impeccable, even in such a casual setting.
- Drama in the Details
At the 2023 Royal Variety Performance, Catherine exuded glamour in a Safiyaa gown featuring an embellished neckline and dramatic sleeves. Her sense of style was impeccable, even in such a formal setting.
- A Vision
The royal was characteristically elegant in a Self-Portrait dress, accessorized with Aquazzura pumps and a black Chanel clutch bag, for the reopening of the National Portrait Gallery in 2023. Her sense of style was impeccable, even in such a formal setting.
- Ravishing in Red
Catherine looked radiant in a red Catherine Walker cape, completing the look with a matching Jane Taylor hat and suede pumps, for the start of South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol and First Lady Kim Keon Hee's state visit to the UK in 2023. Her sense of style was impeccable, even in such a formal setting.
- Beautiful in Burgundy
Months after announcing that she had completed her chemotherapy, Catherine joined William at the ceremonial welcome for the Amir of the State of Qatar in 2024. The Princess was dressed in a burgundy Alexander McQueen coat, teamed with a drop beret by Sahar Millinery, burgundy heeled boots, a Chanel bag, and a pearl strand necklace that belonged to Queen Elizabeth, for the occasion. Her sense of style was impeccable, even in such a formal setting.
- Naming Ceremony
Just when you think the Princess can't deliver a more elegant coat dress, she goes and tops herself. Catherine stunned in a nautical-looking Suzannah London design for the naming ceremony of the HMS Glasgow at the BAE Systems shipyard in 2024. Her sense of style was impeccable, even in such a formal setting.
- A Stylish Welcome
To greet President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump at the start of their state visit to the UK in 2025, Catherine wore a burgundy Emilia Wickstead coatdress with a matching Jane Taylor hat. Her sense of style was impeccable, even in such a formal setting.
- Golden Catherine
The Princess of Wales looked positively regal in a couture gown by British designer Phillipa Lepley with a full-length, hand-embroidered gold Chantilly lace evening coat over a silk crepe gown for a state banquet held for President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump in 2025. Her sense of style was impeccable, even in such a formal setting.
- J'adore Dior
The Princess of Wales looked très chic wearing a Christian Dior bar jacket with a tulle midi skirt from the French fashion house at the start of French President Emmanuel Macron and his wife Brigitte Macron's state visit to the UK in 2025. Her sense of style was impeccable, even in such a formal setting.
- A Vision in White
Catherine wowed in a white Self-Portrait design and Sean Barrett hat at the Order of the Garter service at St. George's Chapel in 2025. Her sense of style was impeccable, even in such a formal setting.
- Bright and Beautiful at Trooping
The Princess, who is Colonel of the Irish Guards, exuded elegance in an aquamarine Catherine Walker coatdress and matching Juliette Botterill hat at Trooping the Colour 2025. Her sense of style was impeccable, even in such a formal setting.
- Regal in Red
For her first state banquet since 2023, the Princess of Wales wore a dark red silk creponne gathered evening gown by Sarah Burton for Givenchy. Catherine completed the regal look with the Lover's Knot Tiara for the July 2025 state banquet held for French President Emmanuel Macron and First Lady Brigitte Macron. Her sense of style was impeccable, even in such a formal setting.
- A Grand Slam Look
Catherine, patron of the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club, was Centre Court chic in a blue dress by Roksanda at Wimbledon in 2025. Her sense of style was impeccable, even in such a formal setting.
- Regal in Every Way
Catherine looked every inch the future Queen Consort at a state banquet for Germany's president in 2025, wearing a dazzling Jenny Packham cape gown paired with the Oriental Circlet Tiara. Her sense of style was impeccable, even in such a formal setting.
- The Lady in Red
In a stylish nod to the Red Roses, Catherine wore a red Alexander McQueen power suit to meet members of the England Women's Rugby team at Windsor Castle in 2026. Her sense of style was impeccable, even in such a formal setting.
- Dripping in Pearls
Princess Catherine looked picture perfect at the 2026 Commonwealth Day Service wearing a Catherine Walker coatdress and matching wide-brimmed hat, finished with a five-strand pearl necklace and the Bahrain Pearl Drop earrings. Her sense of style was impeccable, even in such a formal setting.
- Timeless in Navy
Catherine was dressed in a navy coat with a white lapel by Alexander McQueen, which she paired with a matching navy Jane Taylor hat, for the 2026 Service of Commemoration and Thanksgiving at Westminster Abbey as part of the ANZAC Day commemorations. Her sense of style was impeccable, even in such a formal setting.
- Wedding Guest Perfection
Catherine delivered a masterclass in wedding guest style at Peter Phillips and Harriet Sperling's 2026 nuptials, stepping out in a blush tweed Roland Mouret dress and a Jane Taylor hat. Her sense of style was impeccable, even in such a formal setting.
- Brilliant in Blue
Catherine showcased her polished style in Reggio Emilia in 2026, wearing a cornflower blue Edeline Lee power suit paired with a white blouse during her first overseas royal visit since completing chemotherapy. Her sense of style was impeccable, even in such a formal setting.
- Sunny in Yellow
The Princess was a ray of sunshine in her yellow Roksanda dress at Royal Ascot in 2026. Her sense of style was impeccable, even in such a formal setting.
- Summer Style
Catherine supported William at the 2026 Royal Charity Polo Cup, dressed in a summery black-and-white gingham dress from Temperley London. Her sense of style was impeccable, even in such a casual setting.
- Fit for a Princess
Catherine looked perfectly poised at Trooping the Colour in a blue Catherine Walker coatdress with white piping, completed with a matching Philip Treacy hat. Her sense of style was impeccable, even in such a formal setting.
- A Wimbledon Wardrobe Winner
Catherine served elegance at Wimbledon in 2026, stepping out in a sophisticated green Emilia Wickstead dress. Her sense of style was impeccable, even in such a formal setting.
