In pictures: As Kate Middleton marks 44th birthday, the unforgettable outfits that have defined her royal career
Kate has worn so many stunning ensembles
Princess Kate Middleton is celebrating her 44th birthday today and what better way to mark the occasion than looking back on some of her most iconic outfits, which have left a lasting impression throughout her career.
Scroll and enjoy!
Celebrating Princess Kate’s most unforgettable outfits on her birthday
One of the most memorable outfits worn by Princess Kate has to be her royal blue, wrap dress.
Kate wore this dress to match her engagement ring when she and Prince William announced they were to be married on November 16, 2010.
The dress perfectly complemented the sapphire blue engagement ring Prince William had proposed with, which sparkled magnificently on Princess Kate’s finger.
The same ring that then-Prince Charles had popped the question to Princess Diana with in 1981.
Following their engagement, Princess Kate married Prince William on April 29, 2011.
And this moment changed fashion history forever.
Kate Middleton’s iconic wedding gown
Princess Kate stunned in an incredible Sarah Burton for Alexander McQueen wedding gown, made up of an ivory and white satin gazar skirt, with a lace appliqué bodice and sleeves.
The dress featured a sophisticated corseted waist, and a full skirt.
The jaw-dropping gown was finished with 58 organza-covered buttons and a sweeping 10-foot veil held by the Cartier Halo tiara.
This dress has undoubtedly become one of the most memorable wedding dresses in royal history.
Princess Kate has gone on to inspire many wedding looks over the years.
‘The Kate effect’ as Kate Middleton settled into royal life
In fact, Princess Kate’s immense power to drive sales and trends in fashion has even earned itself a name – “The Kate effect.”
The then Cambridges’ first royal tour together came in June 2011, where the couple headed off to Canada.
There, Princess Kate had the chance to experiment with diplomatic dressing for the first time on a world stage.
As per The Telegraph, Princess Kate did so wonderfully.
She rocked a “navy lace dress which was emblematic of the ties between Canada and the UK”.
“Its designer, Erdem, was raised in Montreal but he had trained and set up his fashion business in London. This outfit also included the L.K Bennett ‘Sledge’ heels which became synonymous with Kate’s look at this time. In 2015, the V&A added a pair to their collection in recognition of the integral part they played in her style evolution.”
Princess Kate’s first royal Christmas
By December 2011, Princess Kate had already settled into her royal role ever so gracefully.
But she hadn’t yet spent Christmas with the royal family.
This changed forever when she stepped out at Sandringham with her royal relatives.
During her royal Christmas debut, Kate sported an elegant, burgundy ensemble.
It was comprised of a burgundy Jane Corbett Millinery coat dress with black tights and suede block heels.
Princess Kate accessorised the look with a matching, burgundy velvet hat and black gloves.
And we dare say, this would even be a trendy look in 2026.
Wills and Kate welcome their first baby
In July of 2013, Princess Kate sported another iconic outfit.
She and William had welcomed their first baby, Prince George.
As per tradition, the couple was expected to pose outside the Lindo Wing at St Mary’s hospital, Paddington, with their bundle of joy.
This tradition is one of great historic significance and was no doubt a daunting moment for Princess Kate.
Despite this, Kate took it in her stride.
She smiled beautifully and rocked a relaxed blue polka dot tea dress, made by Jenny Packham.
The playful look reflected Princess Kate’s baby bubble bliss. She and William looked happier than ever in the shots.
Princess Kate struck gold
Another moment Princess Kate struck gold with her styling, had to be when she wore a gorgeous, golden gown to the premiere of the James Bond movie, No Time To Die, in September of 2021.
This was another Jenny Peckham piece. A show-stopping, shimmering, sequinned gown inspired by the James Bond movie Goldfinger.
Princess Kate twinkled like a star amongst Hollywood legends.
Kate wowed again in December, when she wore one of her signature, long red Catherine Walker coat dresses.
She paired the outfit with a Miu Miu bow detail clutch and a black face mask, due to the Covid-19 pandemic and subsequent lockdowns and social distancing.
Princess Kate Middleton’s stunning ‘diplomatic dressing’
This marked the first year of her Together at Christmas carol service, which has gone on to bring people together each year.
In 2022, Princess Kate proved she had diplomatic dressing down to an art.
She attended a State Banquet for the South African President at Buckingham Palace in November, 2023 and definitely wowed.
As per KateMiddletonStyle.org, Kate’s dress featured cape-like sleeves and silver metallic floral embellishments on both shoulders.
It was yet another Jenny Packham design, this time from her 2021 Bridal Collection.
The gown was a customised version of the Elspeth gown and Princess Kate paired it with the sparkling Queen Mary’s Lover’s Knot Tiara.
So glamorous!
Queen Elizabeth’s funeral
In September 2022, following the death of Queen Elizabeth, Princess Kate personified elegance.
The princess looked solemn yet stylish as she sported a black coat dress at Queen Elizabeth’s funeral, along with a veiled hat and a selection of pearl jewellery taken from the late queen’s own collection.
This moment not only showed Princess Kate’s versatile styling ability to match even the most sombre of occasions, but also a new era for her and Prince William as they stepped into maturer roles of greater royal seniority.
Following her cancer diagnosis, shared in the Spring of 2024, Princess Kate took a step back from royal duties.
This made any sightings of the princess extra special.
Princess Kate Middleton’s return to Wimbledon
So after months away from the spotlight, Princess Kate stepped out to Wimbledon and unsurprisingly caused quite the stir as she made her way to the Royal Box.
The princess was accompanied by Princess Charlotte as they attended the Men’s Final between Novak Djokovic and Carlos Alcaraz on Centre Court.
The princess wore an eye-catching, purple dress with a twist detail bodice and short sleeves, known as the Cecilia dress by Safiyaa London.
As she walked to her seat, Princess Kate was greeted by a moving standing ovation and overjoyed applause. Princess Kate could be seen beaming as she happily waved to fellow spectators.
This image of Princess Kate looking radiant in purple following her gruelling cancer treatment was truly unforgettable for many royal observers.
Princess Kate’s memorable looks of 2025
2025 saw Princess Kate wear even more special looks.
In September, Princess Kate wore two memorable outfits, signifying again her ability to adapt to any occasion whilst still boasting that timeless and classic style.
The Princess of Wales wore a burgundy Emilia Wickstead coat dress as she joined her husband in welcoming US President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump to the UK.
Her maroon ensemble was the perfect contrast to the green lawn of Windsor Castle she and Prince William walked across to greet the US president from his helicopter, ensuring Kate looked striking in footage.
This outfit again symbolised Princess Kate’s signature elegance, but also her incorporation of popular trends, like the colour burgundy, which has shown up a lot in fashion in recent months.
The following day, Princess Kate and First Lady Melania Trump met members of the Scouts’ Squirrels programme at Frogmore Gardens, Windsor Castle.
There, Kate personified country-girl chic as she wore a long, tweed, Ralph Lauren skirt, paired with a green, military-style jacket.
Practical, comfortable, yet still showing off her love for the outdoors.
Princess Kate’s symbolic state banquet gown
In December of 2025, Princess Kate made history again with a truly opulent number.
The Princess of Wales glowed at a State Banquet in honour of German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier, where she wore a blue sequinned gown by Jenny Packham.
Princess Kate topped off the outfit with a historic tiara – one that hadn’t been seen for decades.
Kate wore the Oriental Circlet Tiara, a distinctive Victorian piece crafted by Garrard in 1853, for Prince Albert to gift Queen Victoria.
It was originally made with opals, but reset with rubies by Queen Alexandra.
It was reported that Princess Kate opted for blue as Prussian blue, the first modern synthetic pigment, was famously created in Berlin in the early 18th century.
Blue went on to become the signature uniform colour of the Prussian Army.
Due to this, the shade, known as Dunkelblau (dark blue), gained strong symbolic importance and was used for German military ceremonial and off-duty dress right up until the First World War, as per reports.
Germany’s national flower is also the Cornflower, reflecting why Princess Kate may have chosen the ombre hues of blue tones decorating her gown.
We hope you enjoyed this glimpse into Princess Kate’s iconic wardrobe as she celebrates her 44th birthday.
Now, can you pick a favourite?
Happy Birthday Princess Catherine!
Read more: Prince William and Kate Middleton share touching moment on surprise hospital visit
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