LONDON — With great power comes great fashion responsibility, a cue that every royal understands whenever they step out in public, whether interested in fashion or not.
Kate Middleton is a master of this and she often doesn’t need to say anything: her clothes do the talking.
Throughout the years, Catherine, Princess of Wales’ staple silhouette of structured shoulders, body-hugging bodices and cinched waists have had some reconstruction, just like her role within the British royal family.
Since the passing of Queen Elizabeth II in September, the duties and responsibilities of the Waleses have increased.
In 2023, Middleton’s hemlines became longer and her support for British designers got stronger.
“If you look back at their trajectory as a couple, for a very long time they were seen as very relatable, very down to earth and quite casual. I think what we’ve seen a little bit more of in recent months is them looking much more serious,” Bethan Holt, author of “The Queen: 70 Years of Majestic Style” and “The Duchess of Cambridge: A Decade of Modern Royal Style,” told WWD ahead of King Charles III’s coronation.
On the world stage, her support means that eyes are always on designers coming out of Britain, from Stella McCartney, Emilia Wickstead to Self-Portrait.
According to reports from WeArisma, an influence analytics company, Kate Middleton’s appearance was one of the most influential moments during the coronation. The Alexander McQueen gown she wore had an engagement value of $349,700 based on an image from Time magazine’s Instagram.
Kate Middleton’s 2023 Key Looks So Far
January
Jan. 12: For a visit to the Royal Liverpool University Hospital and the Open Door charity in Birkenhead, Kate re-wore a Holland Cooper coat, with a Cefinn Studio navy rib-knit dress, Gianvito Rossi pumps, and a Mulberry handbag.
Jan. 30: Kate was unmissable in a vibrant red Alexander McQueen power suit, Gianvito Rossi pumps, and a matching Miu Miu clutch for a BAFTA event.
Jan. 31: To launch her “Shaping Us” campaign, she wore a Victoria Beckham dress topped with an Alexander McQueen coat and accessorized with Gianvito Rossi boots and a Manu Atelier bag.
February
Feb. 9: For her first public appearance after becoming the Duchess of Cornwall, Kate wore a Hobbs London coat, Kiltane Scotland turtleneck sweater, Edeline Lee skirt and Gianvito Rossi boots.
Feb. 19: At the BAFTA Awards, Kate re-wore a white Alexander McQueen dress, the left shoulder of which had been altered, black gloves, gold Aquazzura pumps, and a Jimmy Choo clutch.
Feb. 28: Kate wore a cream coat and Zara skirt paired with Gianvito Rossi boots and Mulberry handbag.
March
March 1: The princess wore a slim fit Alexander McQueen coat for St. David’s Day, accessorizing with a black hat by milliner Juliette Botterill, Mulberry bag and Gianvito Rossi boots.
March 16: For Commonwealth Day, Kate wore a navy Erdem skirt suit with a white floral motif, paired with navy Gianvito Rossi pumps and a clutch by Emmy London.
March 17: The princess made a surprising choice to wear a teal Catherine Walker coat dress for St. Patrick’s Day. Her ensemble was chosen to watch the St. Patrick’s blue of the plumes worn by the 1st Battalion Irish Guards.
April
April 9: First seen at the 2022 Commonwealth Service, for Easter Sunday Kate re-wore a blue Catherine Walker coat dress with a color coordinated Lock and Co. hat and Emmy London clutch with nude Gianvito Rossi pumps.
April 20: The Princess of Wales wore a Karen Millen dress and matching Gianvito Rossi pumps for a visit to Birmingham.
April 27: During a visit to Wales, Kate wore a Holland Cooper sweater and G-Star Raw trousers. She sported two different jackets, one a black and red Kongur jacket and the other a vibrant red coat from Keela.
May
May. 4: The princess showed her patriotism in a red coat with blue lining by Eponine London, a white Suzannah Flippy dress, Mulberry bag and Jimmy Choo heels.
May. 6: For the coronation of King Charles III and Queen Camilla, the newly crowned Princess of Wales arrived in an Alexander McQueen dress with a formal mantel overtop. Rather than a tiara, she wore a headpiece by milliner Jess Collett and Alexander McQueen paired with South Sea Pearl and Diamond earrings that belonged to Princess Diana.
May. 9: At the Buckingham Palace garden party, the princess wore an Elie Saab pussy bow top and skirt set, first seen on her at Royal Ascot in 2019. The set was paired with a Philip Treacy hat, Elie Saab clutch and Gianvito Rossi heels.
June
Jun. 17: For the Trooping the Colour Ceremonies, the Princess of Wales channeled Princess Diana in a custom emerald green Andrew Gn coatdress with a matching hat by Philip Treacy.
Jun. 19: At the Garter Day service, Kate Middleton wore a bespoke white dress from Alessandra Rich, paired with two-tone pumps from the same London-based brand and added a black Philip Treacy hat with polka dot detailing. The princess also wore her late mother-in-law Princess Diana’s pearl earrings.
Jun. 20: The Princess of Wales wore a white tweed blazer with a pleated skirt from Self-Portrait. She coordinated the look with black bow-tie pumps from Aquazzura and accessorized with a black Chanel quilted clutch bag to the reopening of the National Portrait Gallery.
July
Jul. 4: Making her first appearance at the 2023 Wimbledon Championships, the Princess of Wales opted for a double-breasted mint green Balmain blazer paired with a white pleated skirt and Gianvito Rossi pumps. She accessorized with a white leather Mulberry bag and jewelry from Shyla London and Sezane.
Jul. 6: Kate Middleton attended the Royal Charity Polo Cup match in a sky-blue dress with a white cornflower print from Beulah London and nude slingback kitten heels from Camilla Elphick.
Jul. 15: To the Wimbledon 2023’s women’s singles final, the Princess of Wales wore pastel midi dress by Self-Portrait, nude suede pumps by Gianvito Rossi, and an Emmy London chain clutch. She completed her look with oversized frames by Victoria Beckham and a pair of pearl studs by Cassandra Goad.
September
Sept. 8: Honoring the late Queen, Kate Middleton wore a burgundy Eponine London coat dress and matching hat from Sahar Millinery; clutch from Mulberry; and Gianvito Rossi suede pumps. She paired the outfit with the late Majesty’s Silver Jubilee Diamond and Pearl earrings. Later in the day, she changed into a Troy London parka for a trip to Câr-Y-Môr Seaweed farm.
Sept. 9: At the Rugby World Cup, the Princess of Wales wore white Alexander McQueen separates, paired with a cream Massimo Dutti clutch.
Sept. 12: The Princess of Wales wore a tailored Alexander McQueen pant suit and Gianvito Rossi pumps while making a visit to HMP High Down in Surrey.
Sept. 14: Kate Middleton sported a Maje blazer and Chloé ankle boots while attending a series of engagements in Hereford.
Sept. 18: To her first visit to the Royal Navy Air Station as Commodore-in-Chief of the Fleet Air Arm, Kate Middleton wore a Holland Cooper blazer and Gianvito Rossi pumps.
Sept. 19: The Princess of Wales wore a custom tan Rouland Mouret suit while meeting with charity Streets of Growth.
Sept. 26: The Princess of Wales wore hunter green separates from Burberry during visits to a series of heritage textile mills.
Sept. 27: Kate Middleton arrived at the Kent Portage Service in a red Zara blazer and Boden ballet flats.
October
Oct. 3: The Princess of Wales wore a pinstriped Holland Cooper suit and Gianvito Rossi pumps during a series of engagements in Cardiff.
Oct. 4: Kate Middleton wore a Cefinn Studio knit vest and high waisted trousers in the same shade by Sézane on a trip to the Vsi Razom Community Hub, a charity dedicated to supporting Ukrainians.
Oct. 5: Kate Middleton went sporty in Rugby Football League separates while attending the “Rugby League Inclusivity Day” at Allam Sport Centre.
Oct. 10: To celebrate World Mental Health Day, the Princess of Wales wore a cheery yellow blazer by LK Bennett, which she previously wore in May for Mental Health Awareness Week.
Oct. 11: The Princess of Wales wore an oat colored skirt and top set from Sézane for an engagement at Nottingham Trent University. With it she paired a Tusting purse and Gianvito Rossi pumps in the same hue.
Oct. 12: While attending a SportsAid mental fitness workshop, Kate Middleton wore a Yves Klein blue blazer from Zara, a Lauren Ralph Lauren top, Mother jeans, and Veja sneakers.
Oct. 15: For the Rugby World Cup Quarter-Final match between England and Fiji, the Princess of Wales wore a boucle Zara blazer and a black Chanel purse.
November
Nov. 1: The Princess of Wales wore a Barbour x Alexa Chung jacket, an Erdem sweater, and Mother jeans to a meeting with Dadvengers, a group that provides resources for new fathers and men looking to improve their mental health.
Nov. 8: For her first visit to the Dragoon Guards as Colonel-in-Chief, Kate Middleton wore camouflage while in the field, before changing into a Holland Cooper blazer and Chloé boots to go inside the barracks.
Nov. 12: The Princess of Wales wore a black Catherine Walker design with a high collar and military frogging for the annual Remembrance Sunday service led by King Charles at the Cenotaph war memorial in central London. She adorned the military-style coat, which she had previously worn to the Remembrance Sunday service in 2019, with three poppies and a small gold brooch. The princess shopped her closet once again, wearing a black hat with a bow from Philip Treacy. She’d previously worn the style for a Remembrance Sunday service in 2017.
December
Dec. 5: Kate Middleton attended an engagement at Evelina London Children’s Hospital, dressed in an electric navy peak shoulder leaf jacket with matching trousers from Alexander McQueen by Sarah Burton. She paired the suit with blue Gianvito Rossi suede pumps.
Dec. 7: For the 2023 Diplomatic Reception, the Princess of Wales wore a rose gold sequined gown by Jenny Packham. She accessorised it with the Lover’s Knot tiara and Her Late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II’s Greville diamond chandelier earrings.
Dec. 8: The Princess of Wales went all-white for the ‘Together at Christmas’ carol service 2023, with a Chris Kerr blazer coat paired with Holland Cooper trousers and a sweater. She paired the look with Gianvito Rossi Bisque suede pumps, Van Cleef & Arpels earrings and a Strathberry Mosaic Nano handbag.
