5 Of Kate Middleton’s Best Royal Ascot Looks Of All Time
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10 hours ago
Over the years, the Princess of Wales has come to set the standard for racing style
Royal Ascot bound this June? If you’re still looking for outfit inspiration (time is ticking), then look no further than the Princess of Wales – aka, the event’s most stylish attendee. Despite having only attended Royal Ascot a handful of times, Kate Middleton has honed her racecourse wardrobe into truly elegant (and truly enviable) display of royal fashion. Here, we round up her best looks from Ascot so far, starting from her first appearance at the races all the way back in 2016.
What Is The Royals’ Connection To Royal Ascot?
Royal Ascot’s royal roots are strong. The racecourse was founded by Queen Anne all the way back in 1711, and in the centuries since has been supported by another British 12 monarch – but it wasn’t until 1911 that it became a ‘royal’ event, having previously been known as just Ascot.
Even today’s monarchs are known for getting in on the fun. The late Queen was massive horseracing fan, having even owned and bred a number of thoroughbred horses for racing. And while her granddaughter-in-law Kate might not be so horse-bound (she’s rumoured to even be allergic to horses), she is also known for her love of Royal Ascot.
How Many Times Has The Princess Of Wales Been?
Kate Middleton has attended five Royal Ascot races: in 2016, 2017, 2019, 2022 and most recently in 2023.
Will Kate Middleton Be At Royal Ascot 2025?
The Princess of Wales was unable to attend Royal Ascot last year due to ongoing cancer treatment – but having fully returned to royal duties at the end of the year, it’s possible that she could put in an appearance at the 2025 event. Watch this space.
Kate Middleton’s Royal Ascot Fashion
2023: The Red Dress
The last look Kate Middleton wore to Royal Ascot was one of her boldest: an all-red outfit that helped her stand out on the racecourse. The occasion marked her second Royal Ascot appearance earing Alexander McQueen, as she opted for a cherry red V-neck dress with long cuffed sleeves, a pleated skirt and belted waist. She accessorised in matching colours, with a red floral hat by Philip Treacy, a vintage Hermès clutch in red leather and a pair of red suede heels designed by British-Lebanese designer Jennifer Chamandi. She topped this off with a pair of chandelier tassel drop earrings crafted from gold-plated brass and finished with black beads, designed by Parisian brand Sézane.
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2022: The Polka Dot Moment
Tapping into vintage chic with her 2022 look, the Princess of Wales took to the racecourse in a white mid-length dress with brown polka dots. Designed by Alessandra Rich, the dress featured a slightly ruffled hem, cinched belt, long sleeves and a pleated bow off centre at the neck. She colour coordinated with a floral straw hat by Sally-Ann Provan, a brown suede clutch and matching brown suede heels. The 80s silhouette, coupled with the South Sea pearl drop earrings favoured by Princess Diana, harked back to her mother-in-law’s own Royal Ascot outfit from 1988.
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2019: The Blue Bespoke Look
Breaking her white streak, Kate Middleton attended the 2019 edition of Royal Ascot in a light blue blouse and skirt by Lebanese designer Elie Saab. A modified version of the label’s Resort 2019 collection, the new look featured a pussy bow blouse (with extended sheer sleeves) and a long tulle skirt – both in a pretty powder blue colour with textural polka dots. This marked the first time the royal wore the designer for a public event. She wore the two-piece with a pair of silver metallic Gianvito Rossi pumps, a matching silver clutch bag also by Elie Saab, a pair of blue Kiki McDonough drop earrings and a blue floral hat by Irish milliner Philip Treacy.
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2017: The McQueen Dress
For her second appearance at Royal Ascot, Kate Middleton once again opted for a white lace look – but this time, by tried-and-tested atelier Alexander McQueen. The house, which also made the royal’s 2011 wedding dress, created a customised version of a popular lace mini dress design (pulling down the length of the skirt to fit in with the Royal Enclosure’s dress code). In true Kate fashion, she teamed up the garment with neutral-toned Gianvito Rossi pumps and a blush pink clutch from Loeffler Randall. She also wore a bespoke hat featuring a lace design that matched her dress, as well as a pair of pearl earrings that previously belonged to Queen Elizabeth II (you can read the full story about the heirloom earrings here).
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2016: The Dolce & Gabbana Debut
Despite having made appearances at several public events since her marriage to Prince William in 2011, it wasn’t until 2016 that she made her debut at Royal Ascot – and what a debut it was. The Princess of Wales (then the Duchess of Cambridge) opted for a white lace dress by Italian fashion house Dolce & Gabbana. This was a look she had worn just a month prior, at the Royal Windsor Horse Show, but on this occasion she styled the dress with a mesh saucer disc hat from Jane Taylor millinery, blush Gianvito Rossi pumps and her trusty L.K. Bennett raffia box clutch.
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