During the Covid pandemic, the Princess of Wales spent time working from her Anmer home office in Norfolk. (Later, in the fall of 2022, the Wales family relocated to their Windsor estate and moved into their current Adelaide Cottage home where the princess is now recovering from abdominal surgery). She made a number of virtual visits with teachers, nurses and first responders from the comfort of her Georgian country home.
The bright and bubbly British beauty showed off her digital meeting skills offering charming stories and fun anecdotes to her various audiences. While practicing her computer chatting skills, the princess embodied a masterclass in work-from-home attire. Looking polished and professional but never too posh, she was finely attuned to maintaining her image of “relatable royal.”
Many of the outfits chosen by the princess during quarantine orders were famous Kate repeats and recycles — everything from a Stella McCartney blue cady sheath worn in early days as a member of the monarchy (circa July 2012) to a fan favorite polka dot Alutzzara ‘Aimee’ dress which appeared on the princess for a school visit in the fall of 2016. Yet, a few of Kate’s Zoom styles were brand new and have not since been worn or seen in public.
Here are 12 of Kate Middleton’s Forgotten Zoom Outfits:
1. Marks and Spencer Blue Ivory Cabbage Dress
In a video focusing on the merits of kindness, the princess wore what’s long believed to be a Marks and Spencer blue cabbage print dress (or shirt). A shirred elastic waist offered this $44 blue midi a hint of shape and structure while pleated puff shoulders delivered a bit of playful volume. Kate donned the tiered hem midi for a virtual assembly with Oak National Academy in June 2020. Made in India, the garden print M&S frock has not been seen on the princess since her online school visit.
2. Zara Mustard Yellow Puff Sleeve Sweater
Trying to brighten spirits with her cheery and charming yellow sweater, Kate looked to be taking a page from the late Queen’s style bible by dressing in pops of color for her spring chat session. The princess wore this ribbed pullover with balloon sleeves for a video call at the start of quarantine in April 2020. Conversing with students at Casterton Primary Academy alongside Prince William, Kate maintained the ‘Keep Calm and Carry On’ mantra in her $39.99 knit during the Covid-19 crisis. While Kate’s bright sweater may not have appeared on royal duty, she did wear the ‘sister style’ of this silhouette and donned a red ribbed sweater dress from Zara for a visit to Mumbles and Port Talbot.
3. Alexander McQueen Tweed Shift Dress
While she may not have been able to fly to Canada, the princess did offer her sartorial support with this designer shift dress. On July 1, 2020, Kate had a video call with staff working at Fraser Health’s Surrey Memorial Hospital in British Columbia and donned Canadian colors (red and white) for the virtual meet and greet. Royal fans were immediately enamored with Kate’s mini dress hailing from the designer’s 2017 ready-to-wear collection. Kate has not yet worn the Italian made short sleeve dress for face to face royal duty.
4. Raey Acid Tree Print Silk Dress
For the launch of her photography competition in collaboration with the National Portrait Gallery, Kate was clad in this whimsical silk yellow dress adorned with an acid tree print. Discussing her passion project ‘Hold Still’ Kate showed off this new look from the luxury British online store Raey sold at Matches Fashion. (Rachel Proud is the creative director of the in-house brand which offers everything from maxi slip dresses to denim bandeau styles.) Kate’s yellow midi with bracelet-length sleeves and a draped waist has not been seen again.
5. Tabitha Webb Jessie Blue and White Chevron Sweater
For Maternal Mental Health Awareness Week, the princess donned this chevron zig-zag sweater. With a blend of wool and cashmere, this lightweight baby blue pullover was perfect for a casual work from home conversation. The princess has not been pictured in the sweater since the May 2020 video call.
6. HVN Maria Green Silk Shirtdress
In July 2020, the Princess of Wales was following government guidelines and stay at home orders when she continued working from her cozy cottage estate. Chatting with Bond Primary School pupils and surprise guest tennis champ Sir Andy Murray, Kate was a ‘green queen’ in this fun tennis player print silk crepe de chine midi with cuffed sleeves, satin piping and matching tie belt. Kate has not yet worn the frock in public.
7. Hobbs London Loreley Shirdress
Proving herself to be a keeper of garments bought in her early royal days, the princess donned this deep jasper shirtdress for a virtual tour of a new Action on Addiction treatment facility called Clouds House. Worn in June 2020, Kate’s black trim dress with a shirt collar hailed from the brand’s Spring/Summer 2012 Collection. The bright burnt orange dress has remained in Kate’s closet and has not been seen on royal duty.
8. Michael Kors Medallion Blouse
In November 2020, the Prince and Princess of Wales appeared to be in their Kensington Apartment home when they spoke with beneficiaries of Future Men’s Fathers Programs. Kate wore this silk blend ivory button down blouse with a decorative pendant print for the late fall video call. The $195 ivory silk-blend blouse has not re-entered Kate’s clothing rotation since its last outing.
9. Ghost London Boo Ivory Blouse
With a vintage bent, this Victorian-minded blouse has a contrast oversized black scalloped collar and is designed in cream silk. The princess wore the dainty blouse for Remembrance Week during the Covid crisis in early November 2020. The pretty princess has not worn the shirt to any royal engagements thus far. Available HERE and HERE
10. Gul Ahmed Shalwar Kameez
Her Royal Highness wore this custom shalwar kameez for a video call to charities in Lahore in October 2020. The traditional dress was Kate’s second bespoke piece from the Pakistani textile clothing company (she also wore an embroidered organza tunic in Lahore for an official visit to Pakistan in October 2019).
11. Zara Sage Green Floral Print Dress
The princess wore this feminine midi with a floral print and contrast crochet trim for a Hold Still judging competition in August 2020. Priced at less than $50, the dainty and delicate bohemian dress hailed from the label’s Spring 2020 collection. Shop HERE and HERE
12. Unidentified Green Sweater
Kate donned this green jumper for a roundtable discussion with mental health professionals during quarantine. The green top has not yet been identified.
