Often sticking to her carousel of conservative clothing and minimalist styles, the Princess of Wales is keen to represent the monarchy with dignity and decorum. Still, as the ‘reigning’ fashionista within the family, she’s bound to want to push the strict sartorial boundaries and do a bit of daring dressing now and again.
From leggy to lacy to low cut, the princess sometimes rocks a daring design or scandalous style.
In college, before joining the royal ranks Kate put on a flirty display and captivated her future husband with her risque runway attire.
College Coquette
Leaning into the Coquette Core trend before it was a thing, Kate’s flirty college-era look was her most daring dress to date.
Kate’s slinky style has long been considered her most “highly provocative” look; the pre-princess (a 19-year-old student at the time) took to the runway at a charity function at St. Andrews University in March 2002 modeling a skirt that was transformed into a sheer mini dress.
The tantalizing tube dress was seen on the future Queen at St. Andrews Bay Hotel for the Don’t Walk fashion show. (The charity was established by a group of international students at the university following the 9/11 attacks; the organization encourages the public to confront problems and ‘not walk’ past injustices and ills in society.)
Bewitching Black Dress
The black shift made of silk yarn had a bodycon fit with only a teal contrast panel on the bust. Described as a ‘stocking dress’ the alluring hand-knitted dress took only $40 to construct.
Hailing from undergrad designer and textiles student Charlotte Todd’s collection called “The Art of Seduction,” the slinky knit column dress was both stretchy and see-through. The transparent dress revealed Kate’s bare shoulders, torso, stomach and legs with only her feet covered in a pair of strappy black Mary-Jane pumps.
Wearing Todd’s sleeveless dress with black lingerie including a bandeau bra, the dress has long been considered one of Kate’s riskiest and most revealing style moments.
The princess styled the peek-a-boo dress by wearing her long hair in spiral curls with winding decorative hair ribbons. Her makeup was simple — rosy pink lips, heavy rouge and a frosted white manicure.
Wooing William
Kate’s iconic dress has long been considered the dress she used to lure Prince William into a romance. The young blonde royal who had a front row seat to the show, became so infatuated with ‘Cate on the Catwalk’ that he reportedly told friends including mate Fergus Boyd (later Prince George’s godfather), “Wow, Kate’s hot.” (The pair were already friends and roommates prior to the show).
Considered a game-changer in their royal romance and blossoming love story, the dress was such a hit that the lovesick prince tried to ignite a romance almost immediately. Reportedly flirting with his friend and leaning in for a kiss at a party later that evening, the heir to the throne was left empty handed when Kate turned away.
As the future princess was dating Rupert Finch at the time, she rebuffed his affectionate advances.
Even more intrigued and infatuated, Kate’s coy and mysterious attitude left him longing for her to reciprocate his adoration. The smitten prince was not deterred — he later pursued Kate after her year-long relationship came to an end.
Crown Connection
A replica of the flirty dress also appeared on actress Meg Bellamy in the Netflix drama about Queen Elizabeth II called The Crown. The dress made its appearance in Season 6.
Kate’s character in the series strides down the runway to a song by electronic duo Moloko called “The Time is Now.” She sashays to the end of the runway with the prince’s eyes (played by Ed McVey) transfixed on her. Ignoring the other models in the show, the eldest son of Diana is spellbound by the beautiful brunette.
In the 9th episode of Season 6, Kate’s character is confident and composed as she hits the catwalk with the stage lights illuminating her bare skin. The strapless design, with its slightly iridescent fabric, gives her a special glow. She hits her marks and does a bit of a wiggle at the end of the runway.
Auction Away
Though Kate also modeled a more demure black off-the-shoulder top and jeans for the now infamous runway show, it was her gauzy see-through Todd dress that most captivated.
Kate’s suggestive see-through slip was put up for auction in 2011 at the Kerry Taylor Auctions in London. The dress fetched $102,375.
Todd, the creator of the dress, told the media she planned to use the proceeds to buy a house with her husband.