While many people assume Princess Kate is forever dedicated to frilly and feminine dress coats — the truth is, she’s often drawn to more military minded styles with their functional fabric and distinguished detailing.
Classic and conservative, the trench coat provides the princess with an opportunity to don windproof and waterproof designs while displaying her approach to sophisticated streetwear. Worn by soldiers and military personnel, the trench is a timeless and versatile wardrobe staple perfect for formal or casual dressing.
Whether its a vintage raincoat or a longline officer jacket, there are plenty of ways to incorporate a double-breasted and belted trench into a royal (or commoner) wardrobe.
Here are 9 of Kate Middleton’s Favorite Trench Coats:
1. Hobbs Green Persephone Trench Coat
Stately and structured, this wool coat in pine green has appeared on the princess on two occasions. The Queen-in-waiting wore the topper for a St. Patrick’s Day Parade in March 2014 and a Royal Tour of Canada in September 2016. The traditional storm flap and epaulette accents give this coat plenty of polished panache and make this design feel like opulent outerwear.
2. Ruffled Wool Trench Coat by Burberry
This designer coat in a soft stone shade features a double-breasted button exterior with a fluted ruffled hem and left shoulder gunflap. Perfect for all seasons, Kate wore this coat in the rain in Belfast in March 2011 just prior to her wedding. She paired the coat with ‘Angel’ black platform pumps by Episode and later changed into her Aquatalia Rhubma boots. For accessories, she carried a black suede ribbon envelope clutch by Mascaro.
3. Issa White Trench Coat
Before joining the royal ranks, Princess Kate was spotted with younger brother James Middleton at a ‘Concert For Diana’ at Wembley Stadium in London on July 1, 2007. Sitting a few rows behind Prince William, Prince Harry and then-girlfriend Chelsy Davy, Kate wore a belted white trench from Issa London with L.K. Bennett black suede knee-high boots.
4. Burberry Tolladine Black Shearling Trench Coat
Proving her winter wardrobe game is always on point, Kate effortlessly combined an Italian made black lamb shearling coat with a ski sweater in the form of an Ovik Folk Knit from Fjallraven for a visit to Sweden in January 2018. Kate’s fully lined shearling-trim coat had all the traditional trench details including: epaulettes, gun flaps, belted cuffs and a storm shield.
5. Guinea London Navy Herringbone Wool Trench Coat
Taking inspiration from army greatcoats, this maxi length herringbone tweed trench was perfect for a ride with the late Queen to Balmoral church service in August 2019. Wearing the 100% wool (Melton cloth) coat with luxurious velvet trim to the summer mass, Kate’s warm weather longline jacket was a regal showstopper.
6. Zara Trench Coat
A month before the birth of royal heir and first born babe Prince George, Kate was doing a little nesting and was spotted shopping ahead of his big arrival. Browsing the racks of antique shops in Hungerford, Kate showed off a new trench coat in her collection — a polyester topper hailing from budget minded retail chain Zara. The stylish khaki coat has a unique removable vest lining and interior zip for additional closure.
7. Karen Millen Long Sleeve Pleated Midi Trench
A cranberry colored hybrid design — this ‘trench meets dress’ was spotted on the princess in Birmingham in April 2023. The tailored merlot midi is sleek and sophisticated with an aesthetic of ‘designer detective‘ — the wrap design has notched lapels, a pleated skirt and tie belt.
8. Holland Cooper Marlborough Full Length Trench Coat
A heather tartan coat with a classic blackwatch print design, this elegant statement trench is the ultimate investment piece. Designed in the UK with high quality tweed, this coat has military-inspired epaulettes on each shoulder, a double-breasted gold button front and a buckle fastened waistband. The princess stepped out in the chic coat for a Cruella movie screening in Scotland during the Covid pandemic in May 2021.
9. Ted Baker Jinan Navy Trench Coat
Proving her environmentalist credentials, the princess opted to think sustainably and recycled this dark navy trench coat from her pre-marriage closet for royal duty. Stepping out in the belted fit and flare design before joining the royal family, Kate first donned this pleated skirt coat at the Cheltenham Gold Cup Festival in March 2008. Later, she wore the double-breasted design for a tour of Canada in July 2011.
Image Credits: Getty, PA, Kensington Royal