From the moment she stepped out of Westminster Abbey and started her life as a royal, Catherine, Princess of Wales has been nothing short of a royal fashion icon.
It began with her Alexander McQueen wedding gown, followed by years of cinched waists and a-line skirts that quickly became her signature style.
Now, as she enters her 40s, Catherine is embracing a new sartorial era, showing off fresh takes on the styles she’s been loving for over a decade.
She still wears the designers she adores, including Jenny Packham and Alexander McQueen, but she’s taking fashion risks we’ve rarely seen on a royal – and they’re paying off.
From her shimmering pink dress and green tulle ballgown on her royal tour of the Caribbean, to her latest looks, the royal’s style just keeps getting better.
And when the time came for her to don mourning black in tribute to the Queen, who died on September 8, 2022, Catherine made sure to honour Her Majesty’s memory through her outfits.
Royal watchers can’t wait to see what she does next, but in the meantime let’s relive her best fashion moments from 2022… so far.
01
December
The Princess of Wales wore this stunning red gown by Jenny Packham at Buckingham Palace while attending the first Diplomatic Corps reception since 2019 after it was cancelled due to COVID-19.
Kate paired the gown with the Lotus Flower tiara, otherwise known as the Papyrus tiara, which was previously owned and worn by the Queen Mother. The first time the princess wore the beautiful tiara was in 2013 and again in 2015.
02
December
Kate looked stunning as she donned Princess Diana’s emerald choker necklace with a statement green gown to The Earthshot Prize 2022 event in Boston, alongside her husband Prince William.
03
December
Yes Kate we see those beautiful jewels! The Princess of Wales paired the beautiful jewels with a very smart all-deep purple suit outfit featuring a very stylish turtleneck and matching heels.
Kate wore this outfit as she arrived in Boston for a three-day tour alongside her husband, Prince William.
04
For her inaugural visit to Colham Manor Children’s Centre in Hillingdon, west London – for which she is a patron – the Princess of Wales donned a Hobbs London wool cashmere belted coat over a Mango knitted perkins neck dress in olive. During the solo outing, Catherine shared a sweet moment with a three-year-old boy named Akeem, proving she’s as generous as ever.
05
September
For her first public outing following the Queen’s funeral, Princess Catherine once again paid tribute to both the late monarch and Prince Philip. She wore the same Dolce & Gabbana coat that she donned for her first public outing after Prince Philip’s funeral in 2021 and once again opted for pearl earrings.
06
September
Along with the rest of the royal family, the Princess of Wales was the picture of solemnity at the state funeral for Queen Elizabeth II. She wore a black Alexander McQueen coatdress in the same style she wore in white for Trooping the Colour during the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee in June 2022.
Honouring Her Majesty’s memory through jewellery, Catherine wore the Four Row Pearl Choker she previously wore to the funeral of Prince Philip, which originally belonged to the Queen, and paired it with late monarch’s Bahrain Pearl Drop Earrings. She also wore a pearl bracelet of the Queen’s.
07
08
September
Catherine honoured her late grandmother-in-law and mother-in-law at an event held at Buckingham Palace in the days before the Queen’s funeral by donning jewellery belonging to both of them. She wore the Queen’s signature three-strand pearl necklace for the occasions, as well as Princess Diana’s Nigel Milne three-strand pearl bracelet.
09
September
Days after the Queen’s death, Catherine honoured the late monarch by wearing a Diamond and Pearl Leaf brooch that once belonged to Her Majesty pinned to her Catherine Walker coat. The Princess also wore the Collingwood pearl drop earrings at the procession for the Lying-in State, which were seen many times on the late Princess Diana.
10
September
Catherine stepped out as the Princess of Wales for the first time when she greeted mourners at Windsor hours after the Queen’s death on September 8. She chose an black dress by designer Jenny Packham and rewore her classic Annoushka Pearl and Kiki Diamond Hoop Earrings in tribute. Pearls are traditional for royal women in mourning and used to symbolise tears in the Victorian era.
11
September
Though her children stole the show in their school uniforms, Catherine looked delightful in this Rixo polka dot shirt dress as she accompanied them to an orientation day at Lambrook School in Windsor. Little did the world know, this would be her last public outing as the Duchess of Cambridge.
12
August
The duchess looked smart in this all-white ensemble, rewearing one of he rfavourite Alexander McQueen pantsuits with a new wardrobe staple – classic contrast two-tone shoes. Princess Mary has also been spotted in similar styles.
13
July
It was all Alessandra Rich for her last Wimbledon appearance, where Catherine paired this navy silk polka dot dres with contrasting toe slingback pumps by the same brand. Fans also spotted a Cartier bracelt watch on her wrist – a favourite brand of the late Princess Diana.
14
July
Fans adored when the duchess rewore this vibrant Roksanda dress with white pumps and sparkling Kiki McDonough Eden Citrine & Diamond Flower Drop Earrings.
15
July
The earrings were an elegant touch and went well with her casual straw hat.
16
July
Polka dots are among Catherine’s favourite Wimbledon trends, as seen with this Alessandra Rich midi dress.
17
July
The Emilia Wickstead dress was chic, but it was Catherine’s shoes that had fans talking. A dupe for the iconc contrast toe Chanel pumps, these Alicia Taupe & Black Slingbacks have become a staple in her wardrobe.
18
June
The Duchess of Cambridge pulled out all the stops for Royal Ascot with this stunning wide-brim hat and earrings which once belonged to Princess Diana.
19
June
Her pleated dress was by Alessandra Rich and usually retails for £1,970 – that’s over $3,400 AUD!
20
June
Contrast-toe shoes are Catherine’s new footwear staple, the duchess pairing this chic pair with a Suzannah London dress.
21
June
Catherine wore this magnetic blue ensemble at the Order Of The Garter Service At Windsor Castle. She styled the coat dress with a clutch, blue pumps, and a gorgeous tanzanite and diamond necklace.
22
June
To meet with mums at the Little Village Brent, Kate stepped out in a Zara blazer, a white shirt, and black trousers, which was a perfect look for the working parent.
23
June
To mark the end of the Platinum Jubilee celebrations, the Duchess of Cambridge opted for a fuchsia Stella McCartney frock. British fashion at its finest!
24
June
For her off duty look cooking in the kitchen with her three children, Catherine looked stunning in a pink gingham blouse and jeans.
25
June
At a Jubilee outing in Cardiff, Kate stood out from the crowd in her recycled Eponine London red coat.
26
June
For the Platinum Party at the Palace, Catherine chose another white ensemble including a tweed blazer by Self Portrait accessorised with hoop earrings.
27
June
For the Platinum Jubilee Service of Thanksgiving, the royal style icon opted for a pale yellow Emelia Wickstead dress and Philip Treacy hat.
28
June
Alexander McQueen for a future Queen! The Duchess of Cambridge wore a white ensemble by one of her favourite designers along with a Philip Treacy hat.
29
30
May
A vision in mint green: Catherine recycled the dress she wore at the 50th anniversary of Prince Charles’ investiture in 2019 for her second Buckingham Palace garden party. Not even a spot of rain could dull her shine.
31
May
When she and Prince William attended the Top Gun: Maverick London premiere, Catherine stole the show in a sleek Roland Mouret column dress.
32
May
Even Tom Cruise couldn’t keep his eyes off her.
33
May
For her first garden party appearance of the year, the Duchess of Cambridge was a vision in this coral Emelia Wickstead coat dress.
34
May
While out in Glasgow the duchess showed off her monochrome style in this all-blue look; her Catherine Walker coat and Polene mini bag were stand-out pieces.
35
May
Catherine wore this Michael Kors swing coat for a visit to Manchester in May, accessorising with pricey earrings that held a special meaning. She chose a pair of gold Vanleles Diamonds bee earrings for the outing – estimated to be worth over $6,000 – the bee is the local symbol of Manchester.
36
May
Catherine wowed in this green Edeline Lee dress and Emmy London pumps at a British Design awards event. The frock is worth an eye-watering $1,365.
37
April
This $600 Self Portrait blazer and matching skirt were perfect for a rare outing with Princess Anne, as were Catherine’s favourite Annoushka earrings and necklace.
38
April
Princess Diana’s Collingwood Pearl Earrings were the highlight of Catherine’s ANZAC service outfit, which consisted of an Alexander McQueen dress she wore for Princess Charlotte’s christening and Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s wedding.
39
40
April
For Easter, the duchess wore a blue Emilia Wickstead coat dress she previously wore in 2017 and Jane Taylor London headband.
41
March
Looking effortlessly chic in this pink Rixo dress, Catherine kept it understated in her favourite Castaner wedge espadrilles.
42
March
This Phillipa Lepley coutoure gown was the perfect style statement for one of Catherine’s final outings on her Caribbean royal tour. She styled it with the Van Cleef & Arpels jewellery set she wore to the BAFTAs in 2020 and a $400 satin clutch.
43
March
How delightful is this pleated chiffon midi dress by Self Portrait? It went perfectly with her white leather Jimmy Choo pumps.
44
March
This tulle dream from Jenny Packham made Catherine look like a real-life princess, her jewellery – on loan from the Queen – completing the effect.
45
March
Catherine donned a rare vintage style during her and Prince William’s tour, styling this 1950’s striped frock with a bracelet from Jamaican designer Lashawndla Bailey-Miller.
46
March
Not everyone can pull off a bright yellow frock, but Catherine did it effortlessly in this bespoke Roksanda Ilincic dress and white Aquazzura pumps.
47
March
Catherine actually bought this vintage Yves Saint Laurent blazer during her university years but donned it again during her royal tour through the Caribbean. We adore how she styled it with wide-leg trousers and a Mulberry mini bag.
48
March
This glittering bespoke gown from The Vampire’s Wife stole the show at an evening event in Belize, and eagle-eyed fans noticed Catherine wore the same Onitaa London earrings she wore with her iconic gold dress at the James Bond premiere in 2021.
49
50
March
This casual printed Tory Burch midi dress looks like something any mum could wear, but Catherine elevated it with Stuart Weitzman wedges and bright blue Sezane earrings.
51
March
Catherine wore an Alexander McQueen cashmere sweater in blue – one of Ukraine’s national colours – for an outing to support relief efforts in early 2022. Her Jigsaw wide-leg trousers were the perfect addition to the smart casual look.
52
February
The duchess donned a Catherine Walker coat, Mulberry mini bag and Gianvito Rossi pumps for her visit to Denmark, echoing a similar outfit Princess Diana wore in 1984.
53
54
February
Would you believe this chic coat is from Zara? Catherine styled it with wide black trousers, Gianvito Rossi pumps and a leather Aspinal of London bag.
55
January
For one of her first public outings of 2022 Catherine donned a blue coat and pair of wide-leg pants, both from Jigsaw, and accessorised with a pair of budget earrings from Accessorize.
