The Princess of Wales gives main character energy every time she appears on the Big Buck balcony for Trooping the Colour.
Solidifying her years ascending the royal ranks, the princess once stood next to throngs of other members of the House of Windsor all while the air was heavily perfumed with fumes from the flypast.
Today, her family along with King Charles and Queen Camilla are a few of the last working royals permitted on the palace balcony. Other regal and distinguished ladies like Princess Eugenie and Princess Beatrice haven’t been exposed to the lens of Getty shutterbugs beneath the balcony since 2019 when they last appeared.
It’s a big responsibility for the Wales family to stand front and center at the King’s annual birthday parade.
Each year, Princess Kate is tasked with looking immaculate, impressive and impossibly beautiful. And she always manages to succeed.
Last year, was an especially poignant outing as it was Princess Kate’s first official TTC since being diagnosed with cancer in March 2024. For the occasion, she looked resplendent in a slim sheath from Jenny Packham complete with a big bow embellishment at the shoulder.
Symbolizing femininity, grace and strength, a big decorative bow was a meaningful style statement and whimsical add-on to the minimalist ensemble.
Previous years have seen the princess wear elegant and timeless outfits to the Sovereign’s birthday celebration.
Here are all 12 of Kate Middleton’s Trooping the Colour Outfits:
2011 — Bride Mode
Following her fairytale wedding just a few months prior, the princess was still in bridal mode during the Queen’s birthday bash. For her first Trooping parade, she wore a white ruffled samurai skirt coat from her wedding dressmaker Alexander McQueen; she completed the look with a sculptural black hat courtesy of Lock & Company.
2012 — Flower Power
Jet lag, where? Having recently returned from a royal tour in South East Asia, Kate was stunning on the palace perch. For her second time at the raucously royal party, Kate wore a floral embroidered light gray-blue bespoke Erdem dress. The sophisticated dress looked elegant when paired with a matching icy colored straw fascinator with a ruffled bow by Jane Corbett.
2013 — Pretty in Pink
Kate looked in good spirits for her third Trooping the Colour — this time, the princess donned a pale pink maternity coat accented with oversized pearl buttons by Alexander McQueen. Braving the summer heat, Kate was anticipating the arrival of the newest heir to the throne baby Prince George.
2014 — Brocade Beauty
Proving she’s a McQueen devotee once again, the princess shared the balcony with Prince Harry and other royals while wearing this powder blue jacquard skirt suit from the British design house. A lacy Jane Taylor fascinator with delicate flowers completed the ensemble to ring in the Queen’s 88th birthday.
2015 — Birthday Best
In honor the Queen’s birthday, Kate donned a blue floral Catherine Walker silk coat with covered buttons and wide brim hat with curled feathers from Lock & Company. Looking particularly joyful, the princess was still on maternity leave as she had just given birth to Princess Charlotte a month prior.
2016 — Ivory Elegance
The former duchess paid tribute to her young daughter who joined the royals on the balcony by wearing the dress she wore to Princess Charlotte’s christening. Kate opted for a fit and flare dress coat from Alexander McQueen paired with a rosette trimmed Philip Treacy hat.
2017 — English Rose
Sporting head-to-toe bubblegum pink, Kate was a monochrome masterpiece in her cheery and charming pink pleated Alexander McQueen dress with a trendy paper bag waist. The royal beauty wore a Jane Taylor hat with the striking candy colored dress. Feeling good vibes from the look, Kate replayed the style for Princess Eugenie’s wedding the following year and opted for a berry version of the same ensemble.
2018 — Barely Blue
For her eighth TTC parade, Kate donned a bespoke baby blue dress with a Juliette Botterill trimmed hat featuring blue and white flowers. The Duchess of Sussex wore a similar pastel palette and opted for a Carolina Herrera pale pink skirt suit for the big occasion.
2019 — Light Lemon
Selecting a peplum dress from the House of McQueen, Kate looked beautiful in buttercream with her family of five on the Buckingham Palace balcony. She paired the charming day dress with a Philip Treacy rosette and ribbon saucer hat in light yellow.
2022 — Bright White
Following a pause in the celebrations during the Covid-19 pandemic, Kate and company returned to the balcony for the first time after a two year hiatus. For the appearance, Kate was clad in a white blazer dress from Alexander McQueen accented with a Philip Treacy Saturn dome hat in navy and white.
2023 — Green Queen
In one of her boldest hues ever worn to Trooping, Kate sported a beautiful emerald green dress by Andrew Gn for the special occasion on June 17th. The princess paired the elegant embellished dress with a Philip Treacy wide brim hat with a tonal satin bow and bejeweled button at the back.
2024 — Royal Return
The princess made a stunning return to the balcony following a six month absence and break from royal duties during cancer treatment. Appearing graceful in a white sheath with a big bow by Jenny Packham, the princess was in fine form for the palace party.
