The Princess of Wales is the world’s most revered style trendsetter and global fashion icon — the first royal influencer of her time — the princess’ clothing regularly sells out so fast there’s even a term for her fashion fanfare called the ‘Kate effect.’ And while Catherine is credited for bringing her impeccable style to the masses, many of the 41-year-old’s most stunning sartorial statements first made their debut on the runway.
Here are 24 of Kate Middleton’s Most Iconic Styles Seen on the Runway:
- Wonderful in Wickstead
Princess Kate’s Emilia Wickstead ‘Pris’ red tartan pleated midi skirt was part of the designer’s Autumn/Winter 2018 runway collection and was styled with a coordinating jacket and matching blouse. Kate opted for a cropped black cardigan paired with her holiday midi. The designer was reportedly inspired by the plaid skirts seen on Ali McGraw’s character Jenny in the 1970s movie ‘Love Story.’
2. Pearlescent in Packham
The princess wowed in a pretty lustrous pale pink gown for a glamorous dinner in June 2011. The stunning sequin dress hailed from Jenny Packham’s 2011 Ready-to-Wear collection. Kate looked sensational in the rosy gown featuring Swarovski crystals on a mesh overlay.
3. Timeless in Temperley
The princess wore the Aster Flower dress from Temperley London for high tea at the British High Commissioner’s residence in Kuala Lumpur in September 2012. The icy blue dress echoed elements of the designer’s black runway design from the Autumn/Winter 2012 collection. Both dresses featured the same floral mesh, bateau neckline and sheer sleeves.
4. Elegant in Erdem
The princess was a style standout in an Erdem ‘Iman’ tweed midi dress from the designer’s Spring 2018 collection. Deftly combining ladylike elements of velvet, crystals and pearls, the bouclé-tweed off-the-shoulder dress had a feminine flounce with a frayed hem for a bit of flair.
5. Polished in Packham
The princess walked the red carpet in one of her most unforgettable styles — a floaty and feminine teal Packham dress with lace cap sleeves. The dress made its debut at Royal Albert Hall in 2013 where the princess added extra dazzle with her sky-high Jimmy Choo metallic platform pumps. The Chantilly lace ‘Aspen’ dress originated from Packham’s Spring/Summer 2012 bridal collection.
6. Exquisite in Erdem
Wearing this catwalk look for royal duty in Sweden in January 2018, the princess was a gothic goddess in the devoré velvet blue ‘Christina’ dress. The enchanting bell sleeve design made an earlier debut during London Fashion Week as a part of Erdem’s fall/winter 2017/2018 collection.
7. Majestic in Mouret
The princess wowed in an ivory column gown with contemporary detailing including panelling, a front vent and asymmetric zip at the back for the premiere of Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom in December 2013. The Roland Mouret creation featured white wool and silk lining and was inspired by comedic actress Carole Lombard. Later, Kate’s ‘Lombard/Ella’ gown became a permanent fixture in the designer’s bridal gown showcase called the ‘White Collection.’
8. Glam in Gurung
The princess showed off her style smarts by donning this Prabal Gurung dress for a state dinner during the 2012 Jubilee Tour. Giving a nod to the host country, Kate wore this vibrant purple floral mini shift dress with a bateau neckline, three-quarter sleeves and full silk lining from the Singaporean designer. The ready-to-wear dress was featured in the designer’s Spring/Summer 2012 collection.
9. Magnificent in Mulberry
The former Duchess of Cambridge stepped out in this silk dress for an art exhibit unveiling in November 2012 at the Natural History Museum in London. Kate’s belted Mulberry dress in the color cabbage featured the designer’s ‘Peace and Love’ pattern on the backdrop of a jacquard print. The pleated peter-pan collar dress was first issued by the design house for their 2011 collection.
10. Opulent in Oscar
The princess wore this bright violet Oscar de la Renta skirt suit for a trip to the Royal Opera House in January 2019. Donning the chic plum two-piece for the second time, Kate looked elegant in a design from the Dominican fashion designer’s fall 2015 runway collection.
11. Enchanting in Erdem
In September 2012, the princess wore this chiffon ‘Meryl’ dress for the Diamond Jubilee Tour. The pleated design was a custom creation from the designer’s Spring/Summer 2012 collection.
12. Joyous in Jenny
The Wales matriarch looked like a shining starlet in a silver Jenny Packham creation from the designer’s Fall/Winter 2012/2013 collection for a fancy black-tie event in November 2011. Princess Kate’s modified dress later appeared at Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week at The Studio at Lincoln Center on February 13, 2012 in New York City.
13. Ebullient in Emilia
At the Queen’s annual garden party in May 2013, Kate wore a cheery yellow Emilia Wickstead ‘Marella’ silk coat. Named after Italian socialite and art collector Marella Agnelli, the abstract white and yellow dress was first spotted on Emilia Wickstead’s Spring 2013 runway.
14. Marvelous in McQueen
For a portrait collection in honor of her milestone 40th birthday, Princess Kate looked like a Victorian empress in an off-the-shoulder tulle creation from her favorite British design house Alexander McQueen. Exuding romantic regality, the princess was flawless in the ethereal gown from McQueen’s Spring/Summer 2022 Ready-to-Wear runway.
15. Packham Princess
Pairing a Hobbs illusion polka dot top with a Jenny Packham blue ink peacock skirt, the royal was a successful sartorial mixmaster for a Place2Be Awards in November 2014. The princess’ skirt was first seen at the bridal designer’s runway show in the fall of 2013.
16. Jubilant in Jenny
Another stunning Packham moment for the princess came when she wore the designer’s ink blue silk tulle gown in November 2014 at the National Portrait Gallery. Featuring layers of tulle and a velvet black belt, the floor grazing gown was spotted during the designer’s runway show from for the Fall/Winter 2013 collection.
17. Pretty in Packham
The princess wore this twinkling icy blue dress for a Royal Variety Performance. Clad in allover crystals, Kate’s look was compared to Disney princess Elsa from the animated movie Frozen. The catwalk counterpart had similar beading and pearls over a sheer bodice.
18. Lovely in Lee
In a malachite green dress with a bubble textured fabric and stunning statement belt, Kate looked exquisite at London’s Design Museum at Kensington. The Edeline Lee dress hailed from the designer’s Autumn/Winter 2021 collection.
19. Jolly in Jenny
Kate wore this primrose yellow dress from her favorite apparel designer Jenny Packham for a stop in Calgary, Canada in June 2011. The designer dress featured a similar silk crepe fabric and row of buttons but was rendered in a rosy pink.
20. Just Right in Jenny
One of Princess Kate’s most elegant and show-stopping gown moments came at the BAFTA Awards in 2018 when she wore this ethereal emerald gown from Jenny Packham. The dress also appeared on Packham’s Spring 2015 runway.
21. Majestic in Michael
The princess first wore this this charming tweed coat for ANZAC services in Australia in 2014 and later at Hampton Court Palace in 2016. The indigo twill coat hails from the designer’s Ready to Wear 2014 collection.
22. Patterned in Packham
During the 2011 North American tour, Kate donned this silk floral dress in a hand-painted print for a polo match in California. The muted pale grey style was inspired by 19th century French designs and spring florals. Elegant and flowy, the design was spotted on Packham’s runway in Spring 2011.
23. Iconic in Issa
Kate wore this Issa jersey maxi dress in a punchy pink shade for a date night at a Boxing Ball event with Prince William in June 2008. Kate also owned the jersey halter dress in grey. The flattering gathered waist dress was spotted in various versions on Issa runways around 2008.
24. Inspired in Issa
Princess Kate wore the Issa ‘Lucky’ dress in white for sitting courtside at Wimbledon in 2008. Coincidentally, the dress was a royal favorite and also spotted on Princess Eugenie and Kate’s sister Pippa. The dress graced Issa London runways sometime around 2008.
