When the Princess of Wales stepped off the plane to greet well-wishers and crowds of Canadians at Whitehorse Airport in September 2016– many people anticipated the royal to be carrying a small clutch or a petite purse. Most assumed she would be decked out in Canadian colors of red and white.
No one could’ve anticipated the clothing curveball — indeed, Kate caused a sartorial stir when she accessorized her military-minded pine ‘Persephone’ coat from Hobbs with a Maple Leaf tartan scarf. She carried the colorful wrap with an L.K. Bennett Nina clutch in the shade trench.
Taking her diplomatic dressing in a new direction, the princess masterfully paid homage to the Commonwealth country with her stylish statement scarf.
The green, red and flaxen pashmina was the perfect arm accessory to wear to meet with Canadian Rangers and performers at a cultural center near the Yukon River. Kate’s folded tartan scarf played a role in elevating her understated travel ensemble into a moment of fashion diplomacy.
The following day the princess wore an A-line red Carolina Herrera coat made of wool and cashmere which she donned with a Mulberry Bayswater bag in cranberry. Once again, the princess dialed up the diplomacy with her classic twill handmade woven scarf.
Following her tour of Canada in the fall of 2016, the princess did not wear the scarf again until December 2020 when she appeared at Euston Railway station for a three-day train tour of England, Scotland and Wales.
Kate recycled her checked scarf and this time was paying tribute not only to the holiday season but to her neighbors in Scotland. The princess wore the scarf around her neck when boarding the train, thus, giving her bespoke midi military McQueen coat a bit of cheer and charm.
The tartan or check shawl (also known as the ‘Duchess of Cambridge Pashmina’) by York Scarves remains a best seller. Based in Skelton, England the family owned company uses natural yarns to create their unique designs; the business has been in operation since 2004 when its owner Chris Adby started selling stoles, scarves and shawls from a local market stall in York. Today, the e-commerce company has made over 15,000 sales on Etsy and has nearly 2000 five-star reviews.
Kate’s timeless tartan scarf is still available from York Scarves on Etsy for $25.10.
