Since becoming Princess of Wales in 2022, Princess Kate has wowed in a number of increasingly regal outfits for official state occasions, whether they be state banquets, diplomatic receptions or the coronation.
Widely celebrated for her fashion choices, Kate has relied on a select number of designers to help craft her official working wardrobe. Most recently gowns for major events have fallen to the talents of two designers, Sarah Burton during her time as creative director at Alexander McQueen and Jenny Packham.
Burton left McQueen in 2023 and in 2024 joined the French fashion house of Givenchy. She will show her first collection for the house in 2025. It remains to be seen whether she will take Kate with her as a client.
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Earlier this year, Kate stepped out of the public eye while experiencing ill health. In March she announced that she had been diagnosed with cancer. In September, she revealed that though she had finished her prescribed course of preventative chemotherapy treatment, she was not yet fully recovered.
In the absence of regular new appearances, royal fans have taken to social media to highlight favorite past engagements, regularly noting the princess’ exquisite taste.
Here, Newsweek takes a look at five times Princess Kate wowed in glitteringly regal fashion since becoming Princess of Wales in 2022.
2022 – South Africa State Visit
For the first state visit of King Charles III‘s reign, the new monarch and the royal family welcomed South African President Cyril Ramaphosa to Buckingham Palace.
For a state banquet, Kate’s first as Princess of Wales, she dazzled in a white gown with floor-length split sleeves and crystal shoulder embellishment designed by Jenny Packham.
The princess wore Queen Mary’s Lover’s Knot Tiara which was made famous by Princess Diana, along with pearl and diamond earrings and a pearl bracelet.
Kate also wore the blue sash of the Royal Victorian Order (RVO), to which she was appointed by Queen Elizabeth II in 2019, and the late queen’s Royal Family Order on a yellow ribbon.
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2022 – Diplomatic Reception
Later that same year, Kate attended the annual diplomatic reception at Buckingham Palace. This event sees all of the ambassadors and high commissioners stationed in London make an appearance, with the king and members of the royal family acting as hosts.
For the 2022 event, Kate wore a striking red evening gown with a scoop neckline and long sleeves designed by Jenny Packham.
Kate wore what is known as the “Lotus Flower” tiara and earrings formerly belonging o Queen Elizabeth II, together with her RVO sash and Royal Family Order.
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2023 – Coronation
For King Charles and Queen Camilla’s coronation at Westminster Abbey on May 6, 2023, Kate put on her most regal display to date, wearing for the first time the full robes and collar of the Royal Victorian Order.
Beneath the robes, the princess wore an ivory silk long-sleeved gown designed by Sarah Burton at Alexander McQueen which featured silver floral embroidery around the neckline and hem.
Kate accessorized the look with a pair of diamond and pearl earrings formerly belonging to Princess Diana. She also wore a silver embroidered headdress designed by milliner Jess Collett.
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2023 – South Korea State Visit
In 2023, King Charles and the royal family welcomed South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol to Buckingham Palace for a state visit.
For the banquet held on the first night, Kate wore another Jenny Packham gown, this time with a gold embroidered capelet accessorized with white opera gloves and matching handbag.
Kate wore the “Strathmore Rose” tiara on loan from King Charles and the diamond earrings of Queen Elizabeth II.
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2023 – Diplomatic Reception
For the 2023 diplomatic reception, Kate rewore an outfit she debuted earlier in the year for the wedding reception of Crown Prince Hussein of Jordan.
The princess wore a pink sequined evening gown with crystal embellishments designed by Jenny Packham, with Queen Mary’s Lovers Knot Tiara and diamond art deco earrings formerly belonging to Queen Elizabeth II.
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James Crawford-Smith is Newsweek‘s royal reporter, based in London. You can find him on X (formerly Twitter) at @jrcrawfordsmith and read his stories on Newsweek‘s The Royals Facebook page.
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