So which of Kate’s outfits did you really rate? All of them? Here MailOnline Royals gives its verdict on 12 months of fashion – which have seen the Princess looking more regal than ever…
Kate Middleton is shaking things up when it comes to her style.
As she eases into the Princess of Wales role her wardrobe has changed with her and now extends far beyond the high-street dresses and nude LK Bennett pumps we saw in the past.
As the past 12 months have shown, her choices reflect her new position as a senior member of the family.
Over the years Catherine has established a distinctive personal style based around the brands to which she has remained loyal from coat dresses to neat blazers.
She has also created a silhouette that works for her, with narrow tailored shoulders and a cinched in waist.
That much we knew. But 2023 has seen a change in hemline, which now always falls demurely below the knee.
Increasingly now the princess nods to tradition and the history of the Royal Family with archival references and when it comes to her luxury looks, she continues to champion British designers.
She makes sure there are high street pieces, re-wears and rental clothes in the mix but Kate’s style is increasingly moving towards more high fashion choices such as the exquisite Erdem skirt suit chosen for the Commonwealth Service, the asymmetric Alexander McQueen trouser suit, and her Sézane knitted separates.
She has been unafraid to experiment in the past year – and it has paid off, as these pictures demonstrate.
Outfit of the Year
Kate’s Erdem two piece suit for the Commonwealth Day Service in March oozed Fifties glamour and quite rightly took ‘outfit of the year’
Kate teamed the tailored suit navy Gianvito Rossi pumps, an Emmy London clutch, a matching Sean Barrett hat and jewellery passed down by the Royal Family
A close runner-up for Outfit of Year was this two piece from Self-Portrait accessorised with a Chanel clutch. The fit of the suit made her a vision to watch. She is pictured leaving the National Portrait Gallery after its reopening ceremony in June
Arriving at the annual Commonwealth Service, the Princess of Wales stepped out of her comfort zone and opted for something a little different, swapping her signature formal coat dresses for an elegant mid-length skirt suit with a corset style peplum jacket by Erdem.
The royal teamed her tailoring with navy Gianvito Rossi pumps, an Emmy London clutch, a matching Sean Barrett hat and heirloom jewellery that previously belonged to Princess Diana.
Blazer of the Year
This mint green double-breasted blazer from Balmain was the winner, pictured here as Catherine attends the second day of Wimbledon
Kate in Balmain blazer as she watches Ryan Peniston play Andy Murray on Centre Court
Typically stylish, Kate embodied ’80s power style as she opted for a green blazer and white midi skirt for her first outing to Wimbledon this year.
The royal referenced the typically all-white Wimbledon uniform with her crisp, pleated midi-skirt, which she teamed with a preppy, mint green blazer with exaggerated white lapels and buttons by Balmain.
This definitely had an 80s Princess Diana vibe and he topped off the look with a matching white bag by Mulberry, and her favourite white Gianvito Rossi pumps.
Trouser Suit of the Year
Kate radiated glamour in a red Alexander McQueen suit, matched with ornate drop earrings by Chalk for an event hosted by the Princess’s Royal Foundation Centre for Early Childhood
Kate finished off this stylish look with red lipstick and a beautiful blow dry
This Emilia Wickstead outfit was a close runner up but would have been perfect with a matching heel and slightly shorter trouser to the ankle
This elegant design in teal from Alexander McQueen was a joint runner up
Kate radiated in a red Alexander McQueen suit and ornate drop earrings by Chalk while attending a pre-campaign launch event hosted by her Royal Foundation Centre for Early Childhood. Featuring an asymmetric blazer and wide leg trousers, this is the most fashion forward tailoring we have seen the princess wear.
A close runner up – and another experiment with colour – was the Emilia Wickstead trouser suit in a bold shade of purple for the Shaping Us National Symposium.
Most recently another power suit was debuted at the opening of the Children’s Day Surgery Unit at the Evelina, this time a teal design by her go to brand for suiting, Alexander McQueen.
Country Chic Outfit of The Year
Kate usually plays it down when it comes to country styling but this striking Burberry jacket worn for a visit to Scotland in November hit the mark – with the tartan nodding to her hosts
Known as the Duke and Duchess of Rothesay when in Scotland, Kate and William were visiting Outfit Moray, a charity providing outdoor learning and adventure activities to young people
Kate made a casual appearance in Scotland, where she appropriately embraced one of this season’s biggest outerwear trends with a military-green quilted jacket.
The royal’s jacket hails from Burberry and features the brand’s iconic tan-and-black plaid pattern. She finished off the country causal look with a black knit rollneck, Mother black jeans, a pair of brown leather Chelsea boots from Reiss, and gold hoop earrings with a tiny garnet charm from Spells of Love.
Hat of The Year
Kate glowed in the summer sunshine during the Trooping of the Colour where she finished off the Andrew Gn outfit with a bespoke Philip Treacy creation that was the the hat to end all hats
The runner up and another favourite headpiece was the elegant Sahar Millinery fascinator which was worn together with an Eponine coat for an all burgundy ensemble when paying tribute to the late Queen Elizabeth II on the first anniversary of her death.
For Trooping the Colour, Kate wore head-to-toe green in a nod to her role as Colonel of the Irish Guards. She opted for an emerald coat dress with jewelled buttons from Andrew Gn and paired the look with a matching LK Bennett clutch and Aquazzura pumps.
The pièce de resistance and the ‘hat of the year’ was the bespoke Philip Treacy hat that topped the look in the same hue and with a matching jewel at the back.
The runner up and another favourite headpiece was the elegant Sahar Millinery fascinator which was worn together with an Eponine coat for an all burgundy ensemble when paying tribute to the late Queen Elizabeth II on the first anniversary of her death.
Red Carpet Look of The Year
Kate walked the Bafta red carpet wearing this white chiffon Alexander McQueen gown teamed with black opera gloves. She had previously worn this dress in 2019 but added the gloves and Zara earrings which created a whole new look
The runner-up in this category was this jewelled Jenny Packham gown which dazzled everyone and with the ‘Lovers Knot’ tiara was an absolute vision
The Princess of Wales looked ethereal in a one-shoulder white Alexander McQueen gown while attending the BAFTA Awards.
She complemented the dress with gold Aquazzura pumps, Cornelia James opera gloves, a Jimmy Choo clutch, and cascading floral earrings from Zara.
The gown was previously worn to the same event in 2019 but had been modified for a more streamlined silhouette. Another recent hit on the red carpet was a teal cape dress by Safiyaa that stuck to her elegant eveningwear formula.
Featuring a crystal collar and dramatic cape-effect sleeves, it was paired with matching Gianvito Rossi pumps, crystal J Crew earrings, and a bejewelled Jenny Packham clutch.
The red carpet runner up wouldn’t be complete without including the royal in full princess mode, dazzling in jewelled Jenny Packham for a Buckingham Palace Diplomatic Reception this month.
For the lavish occasion, Catherine was a vision in the embellished gown with the Lover’s Knot Tiara over her signature loose waves.
Knitwear Look of The Year
The matching knitted skirt set from affordable luxury French brand Sézane nailed the quiet luxury look which might appeal to both students and teachers
Catherine, Princess of Wales steps out at Nottingham Trent University in the autumn
Kate turned to the high street for her latest look during a visit to Nottingham Trent University and ‘read the room’ perfectly. The matching knitted skirt set from affordable luxury French brand Sézane nailed the quiet luxury look which would appeal to both students and teachers.
Founded by Morgane Sézalory in 2013, the brand is all about everyday clothes with little details and has become a cornerstone of the princess’s wardrobe. She styled the co-ord with pearl-drop Simone Rocha earrings and suede Gianvito Rossi pumps.
Coat (dress) of The Year
Celebrating her first St Patrick’s Day as Colonel of the Irish Guards, Kate chose a teal ensemble and looked appropriately regal in a bespoke Catherine Walker tailored coatdress with a high collar and strong shoulders easily won coat of the year
Celebrating her first St Patrick’s Day as Colonel of the Irish Guards, Kate chose a teal ensemble and looked appropriately regal in a bespoke Catherine Walker tailored coatdress with a high collar and strong shoulders.
The teal matched the feather plumes worn in the Irish Guards bearskin hats
Matching Gianvito Rossi suede pumps and an extravagant asymmetrical Jane Taylor London fascinator topped with pleated tulle trim completed the tonal ensemble.
Dress of The Year
Polka dot princess Kate was radiant as she attended the Order of the Garter ceremony wearing an elegant Alessandra Rich midi dress
The winning outfit was finished off with matching monochrome Jennifer Chamandi pumps
The whole look was completed beautifully with a Philip Treacy hat
Polka dot princess Kate was radiant as she attended the Order of the Garter ceremony wearing an elegant Alessandra Rich midi dress with Jennifer Chamandi pumps, a Strathberry clutch and a feathered Philip Treacy hat.
Alessandra Rich has become her go-to designer for chic day dresses and has elevated her working wardrobe.
Another favourite day look was a light blue, polka-dot Ellie Saab ensemble which was worn to King Charles’s Coronation Garden Party.
The princess further elevated the outfit with silver pointed-toe heels and a striking Philip Treacy hat with a large flower on one side in the same dusty-blue hue as the dress.
She then added some sparkle with silver hoop earrings embellished with light blue crystals and a silver clutch.
State Event Outfit of The Year
The custom tiara was what gave the outfit a modern edge and displayed Kate’s flair for fashion
Looking ethereal in an ivory Alexander McQueen gown embroidered with the rose, thistle, daffodil, and shamrock, topped with royal blue and red ceremonial robes
The finished her look with a shimmering floral headpiece designed by Jess Collett Milliner for Alexander McQueen was so beautiful and matching it with Princess Charlotte stole the day
For the May 6 Coronation, Catherine s stuck to a simple colour palette, the patriotic red, white and blue of the Union Jack.
Looking ethereal in an ivory Alexander McQueen gown embroidered with the rose, thistle, daffodil, and shamrock, topped with royal blue and red ceremonial robes, she finished her look with a shimmering floral headpiece designed by Jess Collett Milliner for Alexander McQueen.
The custom tiara was what gave the outfit a modern edge and displayed Kate’s flair for fashion.