Praised for reworking and rewearing some of her most costly couture, the Princess of Wales has a commitment to sustainable styles. Often clad in altered gowns and repurposed midis, the princess lives by the royal creed of buying less and using more.
Kate’s dedication to eco-ensembles has ingratiated her with fans and followers who employ some of her fashion hacks to refresh old outfits.
The 42-year-old practices what she preaches and even dresses her children in hand-me-downs (Prince Louis often wears styles Prince George has outgrown), shops at IKEA and Gap not to mention keeps college era wardrobe pieces in her contemporary closet.
Still, while Cate Copycats the world over are fascinated with her frugal fashions, they’re also intrigued by her most pricey princess attire — namely her most decadent designer dresses.
Here are 10 of Kate Middleton’s Most Expensive Outfits of All Time:
1. Jenny Packham, $6,300
This glittery pale gold gown left royal watchers speechless — the stunning sequin dress hailing from Packham’s 2012 Spring/Summer collection had all the royal razzle dazzle necessary to ensure a palace PR boon for the Princess and Crown Co.
To date, the princess has worn the shiny metallic evening gown on just one occasion to the Tusk Conservation Awards in September 2023.
2. Dolce & Gabbana, $5995
Perfecting her princess game, the Shaping Us campaigner looked like she was an ethereal enchantress in her lacy formalwear. At just under $6000, this designer look was not a win for the Crown coffers but a major score for Kate’s fashion fan club. The dreamy dress was the epitome of elegance with its sheer long sleeves, tiered swishy skirt (with a satin slip) and intricate cotton-lace detailing.
The British beauty has worn the dress on two occasions — in May 2016 at a Royal Windsor Horse Show and at Royal Ascot in June 2016.
3. Alexander McQueen, $4500
A custom dress hailing from the gothic-glam fashion House of McQueen, this military minded dress-coat hybrid doesn’t come with a pauper price tag. Depleting the royal reserves nearly $5000, this peplum design warrants a rewear or two.
Thus far, the princess has only been spotted in the forest green coat on one occasion for the St. Patrick’s Day parade in March 2019.
4. Chanel, $10,800
Despite her commitment to fashion frugality, the princess maxed out the Crown credit limit to purchase this chic Chanel coatdress. Debuting the look in the City of Love, Kate was a standout in the model and designer drenched fashion capital. The multicolor tweed dress had all the makings of a luxe look but Kate really spent her Windsor wad on the accessories — including a Chanel black belt with interlocking C’s and a vintage clutch from the Parisian haute couture label.
To date, the princess has only worn the sophisticated coat dress on one occasion in Paris in March 2017.
5. Alexander McQueen, $10,000
The princess was a style superstar in this black floral evening gown on the red carpet for the BAFTA Awards circa 2017. Impressing the Hollywood elite and royal watchers alike, Kate brought the dress drama with this long tiered violet jacquard creation from the minds at McQueen. The look spoke to the dichotomy of darkness and light (a moody black dress with softly strewn embroidered flowers) and captured the essence of McQueen’s gothic-romance aesthetic.
As of now, the princess has appeared in the off-the-shoulder evening dress on two occasions — in February 2017 at the British Academy Film Awards at Royal Albert Hall and again in March 2019 at the National Portrait Gallery.
6. Jenny Packham, $5500 – $7600
Playing the part of style superhero/glam goddess/red carpet royal, Kate was sparkling at the James Bond “No Time to Die” movie premiere in London. Showcasing a floor-sweeping cape covered with metallic folded sequins and crystals on a base of glittery tulle, this look instantly became iconic.
To date, the princess has worn the pricey designer dress on just one occasion to the star-studded premiere of the “No Time to Die” film at Royal Albert Hall in September 2021.
7. Alexander McQueen, $7495
While not having the gloss or gleam of Kate’s scene-stealing Packham dress, this red and white design actually cost around the same dollar amount. A custom piece from the British designer’s Resort 2017 collection, this knee-length broderie anglaise cotton dress has a unique collared bodice, delicately painted buttons and scalloped trim skirt. Kate wore the red and white dress to pay homage to Canada during a visit in the fall of 2016.
As it stands, the princess has only worn the embroidered eyelet dress on one occasion in Vancouver in September 2016.
8. Alexander McQueen, $6000
The princess donned this tweed LBD in Paris; the bespoke black dress is designed sans sleeves with a deep V-neckline and fraying at the edges of the bodice and hem. Kate’s custom creation is crafted of a tweed boucle material and has a delicate diamond quilted fabric.
Princess Kate has worn the chic cocktail dress on just one occasion at the British Embassy in Paris in March 2017.
9. Alexander McQueen, $14,000
Playing the dutiful maid of honor, Kate was a vision in this dusty rose dress made of smooth silk for her younger sister’s wedding at St. Mark’s Church in May 2017. A modified version of the designer’s bell sleeve gown (a dress worn by the princess before in green), this look remains one of Kate’s most memorable styles.
The princess has worn the romantic blush colored gown on just one occasion at sister Pippa Middleton’s nuptials in the spring of 2017.
10. Alexander McQueen, $323,000 – $434,000
Designed in collaboration with former McQueen creative director Sarah Burton, this spectacular dress heralded Kate’s transition from commoner to princess bride. Designed with ivory and satin gazar, the Victorian-inspired dress captivated the world with its sweeping train, lace bodice and cathedral veil.
The princess won’t be repeating this history-making gown anytime soon but there is hope Princess Charlotte may walk down the aisle in an altered version of the dress.
