While the Princess of Wales has a style uniform — namely full skirt coat dresses, modest midis and of course, belted longline coats — the mom of three is still considered a ‘celebrity’ and must pull out all the stops to dress like a glamorous global fashion icon.
The princess has a tough assignment and must balance the traditional and ceremonial aspects of her role with the fun and frivolity of fashion. She has to walk a thin tight rope between formal and fairytale. Still, Princess Kate doesn’t shy away from a little dress drama or bringing the wow factor to red carpets, royal tours and regal occasions.
Here are Kate Middleton’s 20 Most Stunning Designer Dresses of All Time:
- Velvet Underground
Breathtaking in her crushed velvet floor length gown featuring a sweetheart neckline by Alexander McQueen — Kate turned all the heads on the red carpet during a military awards at the London Imperial War Museum in late December 2011. The strapless velvet gown with its touchable texture and ruffled bodice was the ultimate LBD.
2. Off to the the Laces
Serving another sartorial success — Kate looked like a Hollywood starlet in an allover black fitted Temperley London ‘Amoret’ gown accented with French lace trim and a floral motif in 2012 at a War Horse movie premiere.
3. Cape Crusader
As Kate’s Princess License Application appeared approved, the 41-year-old brought the house down with her Elspeth gown by perennial favorite Jenny Packham. While the custom cape creation featured dramatic long cape sleeves and silver sequin at the shoulder, the bridal recreation felt fitting for Kate’s royal renaissance from duchess to princess.
4. Victorian Vibes
Kate’s princess-ing took a pivot in this Elie Saab embroidered dusty pink gown for the wedding of Prince Hussein of Jordan. A far cry from her usual colorful coats and long crepe evening gowns, this billowy chiffon frock was notable for its pale pink hue and gothic maiden style.
5. Emerald Enchantress
Playing the Green Swan, the Princess brought her sparkle to this ballerina inspired custom Jenny Packham jade ballgown with a notice-me neckline made of swathes of tulle and a slew of crystal embellishments.
6. Lady in Red
Mysterious and majestic, this fitted red lace gown by Jenny Packham called the ‘Elodie’ marked a glamorous turn for the mom of three. The sequin and floral bead detailing leveled Kate up from practicing princess to personifying princess.
7. Swan Song
Showing off her love affair with the romanticism of bridal gowns, Kate proved why she’s a bona fide superstar in this ethereal white gown from her beloved British design house Alexander McQueen. Gliding down the red carpet in this sweeping Grecian gown was a moment for the fashion record books.
8. Goldie Locks
Shaken not stirred! One of her most exceptional gowns to date, Princess Kate looked like a gold statute come to life in her glittery cape gown by Jenny Packham. Kate deserved a medal (of course, gold) for this shiny sequin dress.
9. Ice Queen
Featured in Phillipa Lepley’s couture bridal collection, this silky cerulean gown with a crossover neckline and distinctive shoulder bows was one of Kate’s most striking gowns worn on royal tour. The beautiful Brit wore this cool blue satin Vienna dress in the Bahamas in March 2022.
10. Shine On
From Packham’s Spring/Summer 2012 Collection, this dazzling $6000 champagne gown features silvery sequins with a crystal motif at the waist and was the ideal choice for a fall award ceremony in 2013. The metallic dress even coordinated with Kate’s shiny metallic Jimmy Choo stilettos.
11. Tantalizing in Teal
Graceful and glamorous, while still being tastefully alluring, this teal Jenny Packham ‘Aspen’ gown is one of Kate’s most recognized red carpet styles. Featuring an ornate lace back, lace cap sleeves and a flirty chantilly lace bodice as well as a ribbon waist with a crystal and flower embellishment — this feminine and frilly frock is perfect for galas and glamorous star-studded evenings.
12. Lovely in Lilac
A pale purple gown featuring layers of pleated chiffon, this pastel evening gown by Alexander McQueen is a triumph in Kate’s ever growing fashion lookbook. A cocktail dress for the ages, this flowy dress magically floats down the red carpet and garners more than a few double takes.
13. After Midnight
In a dark inky blue silk tulle dress by Jenny Packham, Princess Kate was #fashiongoals at the National Portrait Gallery in this unforgettable statement gown.
14. Dare to Bare
Debuting a high-low hem rendered in a custom baby blue Packham gown, the future Queen showed off her great gams with a dress that was business on the top and party on the bottom. Combining a mini skirt with a wrap dress was a brilliant style strategy to keep royal watchers guessing.
15. Bridal Beauty
A contemporary cut gown with a slim silhouette and unique panelling — this ivory dress by Roland Mouret stole stares and hearts when Kate glided down the carpet in her rewear of this long gown in 2013 at a Mandela movie premiere.
16. Green Queen
At the Earthshot Prize Awards in Boston, the princess was a vision in a lime green Solace London ‘Sabina’ dress. The dress brought royal fans to their knees — who were shook by the bodycon fit, highlighter hue and come-hither neckline.
17. Gala Gorgeous
Looking like a ‘snack’ (attractive and pretty) — Princess Kate was not holding back her feminine charms when she showed off her curves in this figure flattering Barbara Casasola off-the-shoudler white dress at a gala dinner.
18. Packing a Punch
In a Jenny Packham Tenille sequin green gown, Kate was ready to report for glam royal duty. Clad in this glittery green maxi evening gown – she was the belle of the ball at a reception in Pakistan.
19. Fabulous in Floral
Practicing her princess-ing, Kate was then just a duchess when she hit the red carpet in this stunning black floral Alexander McQueen gown which she later modified with the addition of cap sleeves.
20. Ready to Reign
The princess dazzled in her Alexander McQueen curved neckline dress for the coronation — she paired the ivory floor length gown with some big baubles including Queen’s George VI Festoon Necklace.
